Over 28 minutes of App doing an unbelievable job of controlling the ball to maximum effectiveness against an elite defense. I know it’s been mentioned in other threads, but there’s a reason why UM cannot expect to win in the same way (I’ve said if this game was replayed 10 times, I think TAMU wins 7 of them). App State excelled at three key things:
1) Staying ahead on early downs. This is possibly the second reproducible aspect because TAMU’s DL just doesn’t seem focused on TFLs or negative plays. This seems to be by design, and can be exploited by a sound run scheme and talented backs. This left App with manageable 3rd downs, tying directly into point #2:
2) An absurd hit rate on 3rd and 4th down, often by the thinnest of margins. App finished the game 12-25 on those downs, 3-5 on 4th alone, which is incredible against this defense. But the most insane aspect of it is the sheer amount of conversions they only barely got. I counted 9 times that their conversion was no more than 2 yards beyond the line to gain, and many were 1 yard or exact. Full credit to App for getting those yards, because they won them the game.
3) Getting TAMU off the field. By contrast, A&M was 2-8 on third down (yeah, they had 8 total 3rd downs in the entire game) and no 4th down attempts. This is easily the most reproducible part of the trifecta, as what the Aggies have currently shown is the ability to square up a rifle on their toes and shoot them off one at a time. Aside from a play or two where Achane got loose, their offense was DOA, giving rise to doom-wishing scenarios of the Aggies playing Iowa in a bowl game. Miami just can’t make those conversations easier than App did, especially early on and out of the half. TAMU will make mistakes all on their own, if you just let them.
Hope this sparks conversation and optimism as to how we win. Some of you had great thoughts in other threads, if you don’t mind sharing them here.
