Around CFB: '90 percent' not enough for Texas A&M's run defense

Ten percent isn’t much. It’s a paltry discount on an item on sale. It’s an insult to waiters and waitresses, even if it is untaxed.

The Lord only asks for 10 percent.

But for a run defense, that yardage tithe could deny a title.

That’s why Texas A&M’s propensity to allow long runs is such a concern.

The Aggies allowed 203 rushing yards on 33 carries in their 42-24 season-opening victory over UTSA.

Of those yards, 118 were gained on three plays — roughly 10 percent of UTSA’s attempts. One was a 75-yard touchdown. There was also a 21-yard gain on a drive for a field goal. The Roadrunners also had a 22-yard run on a drive that ended with a missed field goal.

UTSA averaged less than three yards on its other 30 carries.

So what, right? The opponents have good players and should be expected to make a few mistakes, especially in the first game when mistakes are more likely to be made.

True. Except that giving up long runs was a major problem from last year that A&M hoped to fix.

Check A&M’s four regular-season losses from 2024.

1. Notre Dame: Rushed for 198 yards on 34 carries. Of those, 97 yards were gained on three runs. Two of those plays were touchdowns of 27 yards by Jeremiyah Love and 47 yards by Jadarian Price. Notre Dame averaged 3.2 yards on its other 31 attempts.

2. South Carolina: Had 286 rushing yards on 43 carries. Five carries gained 153 yards. That included a 52-yard touchdown by Raheim Sanders and a 23-yard touchdown run by LaNorris Sellers. The Gamecocks averaged 3.5 yards on their other 38 runs.

3. Auburn: Rushed for 168 yards and 41 carries. Three runs netted 58 yards. There were no touchdown runs, though quarterback Payton Thorne scrambled for a key 23-yard gain on a drive for a game-tying field goal, which forced overtime. Auburn averaged 2.9 yards on its other 38 runs.

4. Texas: Had 240 yards on 50 carries. Five runs produced 96 yards. Quinn Ewers had a 26-yard run, Quintrevion Wisner had a 22-yard run, and Arch Manning had a 15-yard touchdown run on the Longhorns’ first scoring drive. Wisner later had runs that covered 17 and 16 yards. Texas averaged 3.1 yards on its other 45 attempts.

That shows A&M’s run defense has been sound — even outstanding — 90 percent of the time.

Coach Mike Elko acknowledged it’s that 10 percent that largely separates A&M’s defense from being great.

“At some point, we have to realize that that’s really all that ever is… is those four or five plays,” Elko said. “The urgency to be correct and right every single snap is what differentiates you from being elite and average and bad on defense.

“That’s just this day and age and how it works.”

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Texas A&M’s defense was strong for the most part, though the Aggies managed just one sack vs. UTSA.

To further stress the importance of tightening up the run defense, consider that six of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff last season were among the nation’s top 13 against the run. Four more were in the top 40.

Only two allowed more runs of 20 yards or more than the 58 Texas A&M surrendered. Notre Dame allowed 63, and Clemson allowed 79. Both played more games than A&M.

Of course, there are other factors involved in fielding a team capable of making the playoffs. But that shows the importance of consistently stopping the run.

Opponents will make plays. The Aggies must reduce the number of big plays they allow.

That won’t be easy, especially with running threats like Love, Sellers, Wisner, Florida’s Jadan Baugh, Arkansas’ Taylen Green, LSU’s Caden Durham and South Carolina’s Rahsul Faison waiting to face the A&M defense.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Head coach Mike Elko has assumed defensive play-calling duties this season.

Heck, even Utah State’s Miles Davis had a 58-yard touchdown run in a win over UTEP last week.

“Regardless of who we play or what it looks like, we’re really good when we do things the way we’re capable of, and we’re really bad when we don’t,” Elko said. “We’ve got to figure out again, how to get the really good to be more consistent.”

Do that, and the Aggies will have much better than a 10 percent chance to reach the playoffs.

Heisman watch (If my ballot was due today)

1. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, QB: Nussmeier completed 28 of 38 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown in a come-from-behind, 17-10 victory over Clemson in a top-10 matchup. He had a 28-yard completion to Aaron Anderson on the drive for the game-winning score, which was an 8-yard pass to Trey’Dez Green.

2. Haynes King, Georgia Tech, QB: Seriously, King was spectacular in a 27-20 opening victory over Colorado. He passed for 143 yards and rushed for 156. He had touchdown runs of four, 17 and 45 yards. His 45-yard scoring run with 1:07 remaining clinched the victory.

3. Thomas Castellanos, Florida State, QB: He backed up everything he said about beating Alabama. The transfer from Boston College completed nine of 14 passes for 152 yards and rushed 16 times for 78 yards. He had a 40-yard completion on a drive for one touchdown and a 64-yard completion on a drive for another.

4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina, QB: For him, Sellers had a relatively pedestrian showing in a 24-11 victory over Virginia Tech. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 209 yards. That included a clinching 64-yard touchdown pass to Nyck Harbor with 7:42 remaining in the game. Sellers also had a 15-yard touchdown run.

5. Carson Beck, Miami, QB: It wasn’t flashy, but Beck threw two touchdown passes in a 27-24 victory over No. 6 Notre Dame. He connected with Malachi Toney for a 28-yard touchdown and CJ Daniels for a 20-yard score. He also completed a pass for a 9-yard gain and was aided by a 15-yard pass interference penalty on a drive for a game-winning field goal in the waning minutes. Overall, he completed 20 of 31 passes for 205 yards.

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Behind Garrett Nussmeier, LSU starts 1-0 for the first time since 2019.

Predicted playoff participants (Alphabetical order)

1. Clemson: A one-score loss to LSU will be forgiven if the Tigers bounce back strong.
2. Florida State: Still much to prove after last year’s 2-10 debacle, but upsetting Alabama proves the Seminoles are vastly improved.
3. Georgia: It’s not smart to doubt Kirby.
4. Group of Five Champion: Nobody outside of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 or SEC is currently ranked in the AP Poll, but someone has to have that fifth auto bid.
5. Miami: A big win over Notre Dame gives the Hurricanes validation.
6. Notre Dame: Even if the Irish start — ahem — 0-2, the schedule still screams 10 wins. A 10-win Notre Dame won’t be left out. Bet on it. 
7. LSU: The Tigers might be a lock if their defense is as good as it appeared vs. Clemson.
8. Ohio State: The Buckeyes might be the best team in the nation again.
9. Oregon: Or maybe it’s the high-scoring Ducks.
10. Penn State: Or maybe it’s the Nits. They travel to face Oregon on Sept. 27 and meet Ohio State in Columbus on Nov. 1.
11. Texas: Don’t forget the Longhorns’ defense held Ohio State to just 203 total yards.
12. Utah: OK, UCLA reeks, but the Utes were dominant in a 43-10 victory.

Games to watch

No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma: The best matchup of a mediocre weekend. A chance to see if OU quarterback John Mateer is all he’s cracked up to be.

No. 12 Arizona State at Mississippi State: This was actually an entertaining game last season. The Sun Devils probably aren’t as good as they were then. Alas, Mississippi State is probably the same as last year.

Iowa at No. 16 Iowa State: Probably the nicest in-state rivalry game in college football. Four of the last five games were decided by a touchdown or less.

South Florida at No. 13 Florida: The way South Florida punked Boise State last week made this matchup suddenly interesting.

Kansas at Missouri: They’ve despised each other since 1854 (Google it). But no one cared because this game was once a pillow fight. Now, both teams can pack a punch.