After a staggering collapse against Kentucky, the Aggies must rectify glaring communication breakdowns and tackling woes to survive a high-octane road test against Lane Kiffin’s explosive Tigers.
Texas A&M's defense has little time to dwell on its disappointing performance against Kentucky. With No. 10 LSU waiting in Baton Rouge, head coach Mike Elko knows his defense has to make significant improvements in a hurry.
The Aggies surrendered 31 points in their loss to Kentucky, including 21 unanswered points after halftime. The Wildcats also produced more than 400 total yards, exposing several issues that Texas A&M will need to correct before facing an LSU offense led by head coach Lane Kiffin.
Elko was particularly critical of the defensive performance, calling it one of the worst of his tenure. Rather than using the early point in the season as an excuse, however, he explained why defenses can sometimes be behind in the opening weeks.
"I think one of the challenges in the early part of the season... You spend so much time going against your own offense," Elko said on Monday. "Every offense has a different layer and different multiplicity to it that creates stress and dilemmas."
That explanation could be particularly relevant this week.
LSU presents another complicated assignment for the Aggies, with Kiffin bringing an offense that can create problems through different formations, motions, and personnel groupings. Transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt also gives the Tigers another dimension with his ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground.
For Texas A&M, the challenge is figuring out how to communicate and execute against those different looks without allowing the same confusion that appeared against Kentucky.
Elko understands there is no lengthy adjustment period available.
"We’ve got to catch up, and we’ve got to catch up quick."
That will be the focus throughout the week as the Aggies use film study, walkthroughs, and practice to identify what went wrong and prepare for a completely different offensive system.
There are also some reasons for Texas A&M to believe the defense can respond. Through three games, the Aggies have already forced six turnovers, while their third-down defense ranks among the nation's better units.
Still, LSU will present a much different test, and Texas A&M cannot afford another slow start defensively. There will also be an added motivation for Kiffin and LSU considering what just happened in their loss to Ole Miss.
After the Kentucky loss, Elko's message is clear: the defense has to improve, and it has to happen quickly.
