That Texas A&M Aggies returning to action after a bye week, they know every game from here on out is essentially a playoff game. Fortunately, some kind of repetition follows.

On Saturday night, A&M will host the New Mexico State Aggies in its final non-conference game of the season. New Mexico State looks like a very easy opponent on paper, currently sitting at 2-7 and near the bottom of the Conference USA standings. Although A&M should win decisively, it is still important that they show up and play their best.

That being said, let’s take a look at the numbers.

As one might expect from a 2-7 Group of Five team, the stats are not kind to New Mexico State. The team is seventh in Conference USA in scoring offense (20.6 points per game), ninth in total offense (304.3 yards per game) and last in passing offense (116.6 yards per game), which mainly comes from the option offense he runs. In fact, NMSU’s passing offense is the third-worst in the nation, ahead of only Air Force and Army, two teams that also use an option-style offense. If not for a solid rushing attack (187.8 yards per game), this offense would be dead in the water.

Unfortunately, defensively, it’s a similar story. New Mexico State ranks last in the conference in scoring defense (37.1 points allowed per game), ninth in total defense (450.2 yards allowed per game) and rushing defense (204.8 yards allowed per game) and eighth in pass defense (245.4 yards allowed per game). game). Having not faced a Power Five team all season, New Mexico State’s defense might be one of the worst in the country.

From A&M’s side, the game plan is clear. Offensively, the ground game is its bread and butter, as A&M ranks second in the SEC in rushing offense (212.9 yards per game). However, losing top quarterback Le’Veon Moss for the season will put a dent in the offense.

Defensively, A&M ranks in the bottom half of the SEC in most stats, but competition is an issue.

A&M and New Mexico State will kick off Saturday in College Station at 6:45 pm CT.

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