COLLEGE STATION — With just one home game remaining, Texas A&M football will aim to avoid a shocking upset against a smaller-conference opponent Saturday.
The Aggies (10-0, 7-0 SEC) host Samford (1-10, 0-7 Southern Conference) at Kyle Field for their first nonconference game since Week 3. The Bulldogs have struggled significantly this season, ranking last in the Southern in scoring with an average of 15.9 points. Their run game is a conference-worst 72.6 yards per game.
The Bulldogs made a coaching change last week, firing Chris Hatcher after more than 10 seasons leading the program. That means the Aggies will have faced four interim or soon-to-be-fired coaches this season. Scot Sloan is taking over as interim head coach. Sloan is in his first year as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator, after serving the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Appalachian State.
Will A&M keep its winning streak alive? Can the Aggies avoid a major upset on senior day?
Here’s a complete scouting report for the Texas A&M Aggies versus the Samford Bulldogs:
No. 3 Texas A&M vs Samford
Texas A&M vs Samford football betting info
Odds aren’t listed because of the talent gap between the two teams.
Moneyline: Texas A&M N/A, Samford N/A
Spread: Texas A&M is favored by 54½ points.
Over/under: N/A
Texas A&M vs Samford history
Most memorable game: This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Aggies’ late-season game against the Bulldogs will entitle Samford to a payment of $550,000.
Texas connections: There isn’t much Texas flair for the Bulldogs, as the roster has only two players from the Lone Star State. Freshman LB Jordan Whitley is from Spring, and sophomore WR Ben Levine is from Houston.
When Texas A&M has the ball
One could assume that A&M’s game plan won’t be too elaborate. Expect the Aggies to mix up the pass and run to finish off an inferior opponent early.
The best strategy is to build a quick lead that allows A&M to pull some of their key playmakers out of the game.
Maybe the Aggies will try to pad stats with Marcel Reed a bit as he continues to build his Heisman Trophy case, but the last thing they want is for their QB to get hurt in a mostly meaningless game.
When Samford has the ball
Because the Bulldogs have been trailing in games for much of the season, their most effective plays have come through the air.
The Bulldogs have three receivers with over 400 yards and at least two TDs. Senior Calvin Jones leads the team in receptions (59), yards (652) and TDs (six). Behind him is sophomore Preston Bird, who has 52 receptions, 590 yards and four TDs.
Senior running back C.J. Evans leads Samford in rushing yards with 233, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.
Where A&M can feast? Rushing the passer. The Aggies lead the nation with 38 sacks, while the Bulldogs have allowed a worst-in-the-country 51.
Texas A&M vs Samford key matchup
A&M’s young WRs vs Samford’s secondary
Last week marked the emergence of redshirt freshman Izaiah Williams, who caught his first career TD to help spark A&M’s comeback victory over South Carolina. With Mario Craver not 100% and his availability uncertain for this week’s game, expect the Aggies to give some quality reps to younger wideouts like Williams.
Freshman TK Norman has received late-game snaps this season, including one “carry” on a screen pass against LSU that went for 12 yards. Look for him, along with other freshmen like Kelshaun Johnson to get their first substantial playing time once the game is comfortably in hand.
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Texas A&M vs Samford prediction
Tony Catalina: Texas A&M 45, Samford 9. This won’t be much of a contest. A&M is far superior and will demonstrate that dominance on senior day. The score won’t be higher because the Aggies will get an early lead and then rest their starters, giving backups and less heralded seniors a chance to play in the second half, possibly in their final games at Kyle Field.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.
