The Biggest Concern Texas A&M Can't Ignore After Loss to Kentucky

The Texas A&M Aggies were stunned at home by the Kentucky Wildcats and one major concern could derail the rest of the season

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) walks on the field prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kyle Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texas A&M Aggies were stunned at home for the first loss of the season after the Kentucky Wildcats came into College Station and thumped theAggies in a 31-21 game that marked the first big win of the Will Stein era.

It was no secret that the Aggies offense struggled mightily, failing to establish any form of consistency or rhythm throughout the game, placing the early deficit as an uphill battle.

While quarterback Marcel Reed's issues were certainly highlighted, the problem goes deeper than that, and looks even worse on paper the more he is put under pressure this season.

Marcel Reed's Struggles Have Become Impossible to Ignore

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko speaks with a member of his coaching staff during a time-out in the fourth quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kyle Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Aggies entered the year with somewhat tempered expectations for the offense, but Reed, entering year four with the program, was expected to continue making strides in his play, the same way he did last season.

That jump in production they are looking for however, is yet to be seen. Reed is currently 70th in passing yards with 632, is tied for 36th with six passing touchdowns, and he is tied for 98th with three interceptions.

The struggles are evident, and he has continued to miss open receivers, including a critical fourth down conversion against the Wildcats that would have reset the downs while the Aggies were already trailing by multiple scores.

The problem grows deeper, however, when looking at Reed's struggles while under pressure. This season, he has attempted 21 passes under pressure, and has completed just six of them, for a competion percentage of 28.6

Those six passes have attributed to 100 yards, while also adding one touchdown and one interception as well. His yards per attempt while facing pressure, sits at just 4.6 yards. The pressure isn't faced often for Reed eiter, as it's happening on just 30.1 percent of dropbacks, but it is having an effect on him.

Perhaps more importantly, the book is out on Reed. Defenses can throw pressure at him, and watch him struggle. the offense is throwing screens 18.3 percent of the times, which could increase if teams ramp up the pressure, but for now, it's been a problem that will linger all year.

The rebuilt offensive line hasn't been stellar, and has struggled, but if Reed continues to show little growth behind center, the rest of the year outlook might not grow any better.

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