No. 23 Aggies vs. Hurricanes: A&M Takes New-Look Offense to Miami
Texas A&M enters the week at No. 23 in the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls as they head to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to take on the Hurricanes. It's a rematch of a low-scoring snoozefest from a season ago, but this time, look for things to look very different. Not just different from a season ago, but different for both teams from just a week ago.
A&M was able to manage just 264 yards offensively back in September of last year at Kyle Field. Just 164 yards of that was through the air as starting quarterback Max Johnson struggled, and De'Von Achane, who accounted for the majority of the rushing yards, is now in Miami playing for the NFL Dolphins.
True sophomore Conner Weigman is now under center for the Aggies and has shined in his five collegiate games. In four games last season and one this year, Weigman has thrown 13 touchdown passes to no interceptions, including five against New Mexico in Week 1.
The A&M defense will have a much tougher job in Miami than it did in College Station last Saturday. The quarterback is more experienced in Tyler Van Dyke, and the rushing game of the Hurricanes is far more potent. Miami employs a "running back by committee" philosophy with a deep running back room. The Hurricanes had four backs carry the ball against Miami of Ohio last week, and all four had carries of 15 or more yards, and three scored touchdowns.
But A&M coach Jimbo Fisher knows they have the talent on defense to handle whatever the Hurricanes dish out offensively. "We got the guys up front and physicality, but it's a different opponent," Fisher said. "Miami is a very good opponent and they know how to run it. (Miami coach Mario Cristobal is) a line coach himself. He's gonna have those guys ready to run it and you guys still gotta play the play-action passes and things are always gonna come off those things."
Both teams will be looking for a statement win on the season, and the Hurricanes would like a win in their only tough non-conference matchup of the season.
