No. 10 Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station
Records: Texas A&M (0-0 overall, 0-0 SEC); Vanderbilt (0-0 overall, 0-0 SEC)
Last meeting: Texas A&M defeated Vanderbilt 25-0 on Nov. 21, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.
TV: SEC Network
What’s at stake?
This is the year many had pegged as A&M’s breakout season, but with an all-SEC slate, that task becomes much more difficult. As arguably the easiest game on A&M’s schedule, this matchup is key for the Aggies to set the tone in quarterback Kellen Mond’s final year of eligibility.
After finishing 3-9 last season, head coach Derek Mason and the Commodores have made major changes to their coaching staff, bringing on offensive coordinator Todd Fitch and defensive coordinator Ted Roof for their first years in Nashville. Coming off a 2019 season in which the team finished No. 123 in total offense and No. 101 in total defense, Vanderbilt is looking for those two additions to pay off.
When Texas A&M has the ball
With opt-outs and injuries hitting the offense hard plus a matchup with Alabama looming in Week 2, Saturday’s season opener will be crucial for the Aggies to work out any kinks before diving headfirst into a tough slate.
With sophomores Isaiah Spiller and Ainias Smith in the backfield, A&M’s run game will likely make strides in 2020. The wide receiving corps is a much different story, however. After losing 2019 starters Jhamon Ausbon and Camron Buckley, the unit has limited experience with freshmen making up seven of the 10 receivers on the depth chart. It is also crucial that the offensive line, which allowed Mond to be sacked 34 times last season, gives him ample time in the pocket, especially with the inexperienced group of receivers.
When Vanderbilt has the ball
Vanderbilt’s quarterback situation is still unknown as Mason has declined to name a starter heading into Week 1. According to the depth chart, competition is between junior college transfers Danny Clark and Jeremy Moussa and true freshmen Mike Wright and Ken Seals, though Mason said Tuesday he has narrowed his choices down to two.
Under Fitch in 2019, Louisiana Tech ranked No. 36 nationally in scoring offense (32.5 points per game), No. 37 in total offense (436.8 yards per game) and No. 32 in passing offense (268.5 yards per game). After a season in which Vanderbilt finished with the No. 111 rushing offense, No. 115 passing offense and No. 125 scoring offense, the Commodores are expecting some progress this season.
Prediction
With two matchups against ranked opponents following this game, it is crucial that the Aggies get started on the right foot, especially since they have to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Despite the toll injuries and opt-outs have taken on the roster, A&M should have no problem kicking 2020 off with a win Saturday.
Score: Texas A&M 42, Vanderbilt 10
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