The Texas A&M football team heads back on the road to take on South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium, looking to keep its perfect SEC record intact.
No. 11 Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0 SEC) jumped up in the US LBM Coaches Poll and in the Associated Press Top 25 after a Week 9 win over No. 9 LSU. They now prepare to face the South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3), who, despite the pedestrian record, have played quality competition tough this season.
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Will the Aggies beat another SEC program, continuing its perfect in-conference resumé? Do they have what it takes to string together an eight>h< consecutive win under first-year head coach Mike Elko? How will the Aggies contend with a talented Gamecocks defense?
Here’s a full scouting report for the Texas A&M Aggies vs. the South Carolina Gamecocks:
No. 11 Texas A&M vs South Carolina
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Williams-Brice in Columbia, South Carolina.
TV/radio: ABC; 1370 AM in Austin; 1150 AM, 93.7 FM in College Station.
Line: Texas A&M is favored by 2½.
Weather: Kickoff temperatures are expected to be comfortable, in the mid-70s, with cloud cover and a slight breeze.
Texas A&M vs South Carolina history
All-time: A&M leads 9-1.
Last meeting: Texas A&M 30, South Carolina 17 (2023)
Most memorable meeting: Texas A&M 52, South Carolina 28 in 2014. In what was the first-ever meeting between the two programs after A&M’s move to the SEC, the No. 21 Aggies cruised past a No. 9-ranked Gamecocks team, thanks to Kenny Hill breaking Johnny Manziel’s single-game passing record with 511 yards while throwing three touchdown passes.
MORE: Texas A&M vs South Carolina: Will Conner Weigman or Marcel Reed start?
Know the foe: South Carolina
Last week: 35-9 win over Oklahoma.
Players to watch: Senior edge Kyle Kennard is one of the conference’s premier pass rushers, currently sitting first in the SEC and third in the country with 8½ sacks. The combination of Kennard and true freshman phenom edge Dylan Stewart, have combined for 13 total sacks, and look to pose the biggest challenge the Aggies offensive line has faced to date.
As good as the Gamecocks defense, the offense has playmakers to worry about as well. Senior running back Raheim Sanders is leading the way on the ground with 426 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers has flashed both as a passer and a runner and has totaled 1,215 yards of offense and contributed to eight total touchdowns with his arm and legs.
Central Texas connections: Senior wide receiver Dalevon Campbell hails from Missouri City, Texas, while freshman tight end Reid Mikeska hails from Cypress, Texas. In total, four players from the South Carolina roster are from Texas.
When Texas A&M has the ball
All eyes will be on the Aggies quarterback position heading into Week 10. With Marcel Reed‘s three touchdowns and four scoring drives after replacing Conner Weigman in the second half, there appears to be some uncertainty of who may get the start against the Gamecocks. South Carolina has the 22nd-ranked scoring defense in the country, allowing 18.7 points per game, setting up a real challenge for the Aggies regardless of who is under center.
What doesn’t need sorting is the running back room. The running game, led by Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, is the No. 2 rushing attack in the SEC and No. 9 in the country. The Gamecocks are ranked third in the SEC and 16th in the country against the run, surrendering just 101.9 rushing yards per game, setting up a true strength-versus-strength matchup Saturday night.
When South Carolina has the ball
The Gamecocks’ offensive attack, led by redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, is a respectable group that has proven they can make plays against quality competition. South Carolina is 66th in scoring, averaging 28.6 points per game.
Along with Sellers under center, the Gamecocks’ passing attack features freshman wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. and senior tight end Joshua Simon, who have tallied 270 and 185 yards, respectively, leading the team in receiving yards.
Texas A&M vs South Carolina key matchup
Gamecocks’ pass rushers vs Aggies’ offensive line
If you’re a fan of heavyweight battles in the trenches, this is another game for you. The Aggies’ offensive tackles tandem of Trey Zuhn III and Dametrious Crownover are set to square off against Kennard and Stewart.
The Aggies have given up 11 sacks this season, with Zuhn not giving up any in eight games. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are No. 3 in the country with 28 total sacks.
Texas A&M vs South Carolina predictions
Tony Catalina: Texas A&M 24, South Carolina 14. This looks to be another tough test for the Aggies as the Gamecocks excel at stopping the things A&M does well. Williams-Brice Stadium is a hostile environment, and with a primetime game, they crowd will undoubtedly be at full throat. Texas A&M will have to weather the storm, but are able to do so, entering its second bye week still undefeated in the SEC.
Cedric Golden:
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M vs South Carolina: Scouting report, game info
