Broad Overview:
The Tiger’s (likely) toughest test of the 2019 regular season is this weekend, as they will face an elite game day coach and a talented team in Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies. Clemson Offensive coordinator Jeff Scott praised his abilities as an elite play caller, schematic mind, and game day coach.
While Venables is unquestionably the best defensive coordinator in the nation, DC Mike Elko is in the group right vying for second place, with names like Bud Foster, Jay Bateman, and others. He turned down head coaching offers to remain with the Aggies and will make 2.1 million dollars in 2019.
The Aggies are among the best teams in terms of talent that Clemson will face in the regular season. Despite the loss of all-conference players TE Jace Sterenberger and RB Traveyon Williams, the Aggies still have formidable talent and several NFL prospects.
All-SEC punter Braden Mann has returned for his senior season, boasting an average of almost 51 yards per punt last year and a 71% touchback percentage.
Additionally, the Aggies have three players on The Draft Network’s Top 200 rankings for the 2020 draft. Junior DT Justin Madubuike is one, and the other two are WR Kendrick Rogers and QB Kellen Mond. Madubuike is versatile and won’t be caught with his pads up, so Clemson’s offensive line will have to identify and account for his presence at all times.
Rogers is a physically gifted player with a knack for spectacular catches, and he is just as talented as Clemson’s star receivers. He missed most of fall camp with an injury and he was underutilized last season, but he can be a major thorn in the Tigers’ side.
Throwing him the ball is junior QB Kellen Mond, who showed his skillset last season with an impressive performance against Clemson. He appears to have improved on his consistency while still retaining the ‘wow’ factor that made him stand out last year. In addition to his excellent arm, he is athletic, mentally tough, and won’t cower in the pocket at the sight of adversity.
Oddshark Segment: The consensus is that Clemson will win, and the predicted score is 47.7 to 26.8. Clemson is favored by 17 points, and 63% of bets have Clemson covering the spread. Lastly, 70% of bets have the game going over the line of 64.5 points.
William’s Prediction:Clemson is probably the best team in the nation, but college football isn’t won and lost on paper. The Tigers still have kinks to work out that Georgia Tech couldn’t expose or capitalize on, and Texas A&M should be an excellent team in their own right. Clemson 42 Texas A&M 35
