Who’s Hot?
Kyle Allen
The sophomore signal caller got into a rhythm early against the Wolf Pack, completing 18-of-31 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns. As a bonus, Allen tacked on another 55 yards rushing along with a rushing touchdown. Allen seems to be growing more comfortable with the offense. With the depth that the Aggies have on the outside, Allen has a luxury not many quarterbacks have across the country.
Look for Allen to continue his hot play under the lights in Jerry’s World on Saturday against a banged up Arkansas defense that gave up 35 points to Texas Tech at home last week.
Tra Carson
The senior running back has become the workhorse that Kevin Sumlin and the Aggie staff believed he could be coming into the season. The starting back carried the ball 22 times for 137 yards and was consistent in finding the holes and running north and south against Nevada. Carson’s hard running has provided Kyle Allen with a great security blanket and has made opposing defenses pay attention to the Aggie run game more often than usual. This opens more opportunities for Allen and his receiving corps to exploit when the defense creeps up toward the line of scrimmage to stop Carson and the running game.
Receiving corps
The rapport Kyle Allen has had with his receivers was on full display at Kyle Field, as all of the prominent receivers got in on the fun on Saturday. From Christian Kirk’s six receptions for 120 yards to Josh Reynolds’ two touchdowns, the Aggie receivers are making life very easy for Kyle Allen. Junior college transfer Damion Ratley had his best game as an Aggie as well, recording five receptions for 70 yards.
Who’s not?
The Aggie corners
The Aggie secondary had their hands full against Nevada quarterback Tyler Stewart and his receiving corps. Receivers Hassan Henderson and Jerico Richardson combined for 10 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown primarily against senior corners DeVante Harris and new corner Brandon Williams. Although Henderson made an incredible one-handed catch for their touchdown last weekend, his catch disallowed a pass interference call on Williams on the same play. The corners will have to be careful with teams that are capable of testing them going forward.
Who to watch for
A hungry Arkansas team
The Razorbacks are coming into the AT&T Stadium with a two-game losing streak, falling to Toledo in a monumental upset and losing to Texas Tech last week. Head coach Bret Bielema has a couple of top guys out in starting running back Jonathan Williams and receiver Keon Hatcher, but that won’t stop him from getting his guys up to play on Saturday. Most experts picked the Razorbacks to finish high atop the SEC West standings and they still have a chance to accomplish that feat with a clean slate. Expect Arkansas to come ready to play in the Southwest Classic.
Myles Garrett to bring game
Even with removing his wisdom teeth six days prior to the Nevada game, Myles Garrett was still business as usual. Garrett tied a career high with 3.5 sacks and a career-best four tackles for loss. Kevin Sumlin commented on the feat that Garrett accomplished after the Nevada game.
Whether he has all of his teeth in his mouth or not, better believe Garrett will do what he does — wreak havoc.
