Around CFB: Ags must see 'Moore' from the Maroon Goons at Mizzou

So far this football season, a lot of great things have been seen from Texas A&M’s offensive line.

Yet, the Aggies want to see more. Actually, they want to see Moore.

The A&M line — aka the “Maroon Goons” — is making a strong case to win the Joe Moore Award, which is presented annually to college football’s premier offensive line.

The Aggies' line was among those listed on the Joe Moore Award midseason honor roll.

That’s significant because elite teams typically have elite offensive lines. Indeed, in the 10 years since the Joe Moore Award’s inception, seven winners were from teams that at least reached the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Three were national champions — LSU in 2019 and Alabama in 2015 and 2020.

Through eight games, the A&M offensive line quartet of tackles Trey Zuhn III and Dametrious Crownover, guards Chase Bisontis and Ar’maj Reed-Adams and center Mark Nabou Jr. has allowed just seven sacks and averages 200.13 rushing yards to rank 23rd in the nation.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Like Trey Zuhn III, Dametrious Crownover was a member of Texas A&M’s 2021 signing class and is in year fifth in the program after starting every game at right tackle in 2024.

They’ve done that despite facing four defenses that are ranked between ninth and 51st in run defense. They’ve also faced four defenses that are ranked between 12th and 62nd in sacks.

They’ve been especially dominant against SEC competition. In five SEC games, the Aggies have allowed just five sacks, while averaging 226 rushing yards per game.

“You’re seeing them play to the level we believed they were capable of,” coach Mike Elko said earlier this week. “They’re a veteran group, and they were excited to get into SEC play.

“As we’ve hit the part of the season where it’s full all-in SEC play and the line of scrimmage is critical, I think our offensive line has elevated to that challenge. I think you’ve seen them go out and play really well.”

A&M’s line was expected to be good. They were all starters last season. Zuhn, who has graduated, has started since his freshman season. So has Bisontis, who’s a junior. Reed-Adams started at Kansas before transferring to A&M last season.

Experience is a valuable asset for an offensive line. Cohesion is vital for communicating and executing blocking assignments.

But Elko said the greatest asset for the Maroon Goons is their physicality. They play with a nastiness that’s a common trait for elite offensive linemen.

“I’ll take physicality over experience all the time,” Elko said. “Physicality wins out. The physicality is such a huge piece in this conference.

“Your ability to run the ball, your ability to create clean pockets. … I think that’s the thing that really, in the last few weeks, you’ve seen at a really high level is how clean the pocket has been for (quarterback) Marcel (Reed).

“Obviously, he plays a role with his athleticism. When the pocket does break down, he can make things happen, but I think the group is really playing well together. The physicality is a huge piece of it.”

Of course, there is more work to be done. Or, Moore work to be done.

Next, the Aggies face Missouri, which is 21st in the country in sacks and 13th in rushing defense.

TexAgs

Adam Cushing is in his second season as Texas A&M’s offensive line coach.

“They have a massive challenge in front of them this week,” Elko said. “This is the best defensive line we’ve seen to date. They’re an extremely talented group. They’ve got two of the best edge rushers (Damon Wilson II and Zion Young) in the country. So, we’re going to have our hands full in Columbia.”

A&M’s offensive line has routinely answered the challenges. This week, Aggies expect more of the same.

Or perhaps Moore of the same.

Heisman watch (If my ballot was due today)

1. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M, QB: The Aggies were idle a week ago. The last time Reed was in action, he led A&M to a 49-25 victory over LSU. Reed passed for 202 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Overall, he’s 20th in the nation with 2,321 yards of total offense. He has passed for 1,972 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has rushed for 349 yards and six scores.

2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, QB: Last week, Mendoza passed for 201 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 24 yards and a score in a 55-10 blowout of Maryland. On the season, he has passed for 2,124 yards and 25 touchdowns. He’ ha rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns.

Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Fernando Mendoza directs the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense as Indiana averages 46.4 points per game.

3. Haynes King, Georgia Tech, QB: Don’t blame King for the Yellow Jackets’ 48-36 loss to NC State last week. King passed for a career-best 408 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. That’s 511 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. Yeah, it wasn’t his fault. Overall, King is third in the nation in total offense. He has passed for 1,888 yards and nine touchdowns. He rushed for 754 yards and 14 scores.

4. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, QB: Sayin had the best day of his career in a 38-14 win over Penn State last week. He completed 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Overall, Sayin, who has completed 80 percent of his passes, has 2,188 passing yards and 23 touchdowns to his credit.

5. Ty Simpson, Alabama, QB: The Crimson Tide was open last week. Most recently, Simpson passed for 253 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-22 win over South Carolina. Through eight games, Simpson has passed for 2,184 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has rushed for 79 yards and two scores.

Predicted playoff participants (In alphabetical order)

Alabama: Tide keeps finding ways to win. Three victories were by a touchdown or less.
BYU: The Cougars could get in with two losses…if they’re both to Texas Tech.
Georgia: Assuming Georgia gets by Mississippi State, next week’s clash with Texas could be for a playoff berth. The Bulldogs have the edge at home.
Georgia Tech: Still my pick to win the ACC championship.
Indiana: The Hoosiers’ three remaining regular-season opponents are a combined 7-18.
Memphis: Tigers seem to be the best among a list of mundane Group of Five teams.
Notre Dame: Aside from a trip to Pitt next week, the Irish’s remaining schedule is a cakewalk.
Ole Miss: The Rebels seem to be a lock, but the Nov. 28 trip to Mississippi State could be problematic.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have three warm-up games to prepare for a trip to Michigan.
Oregon: The one-loss Ducks’ situation is more precarious than most. They’ve beaten just one FBS team with a winning record (5-3 Northwestern). Three upcoming opponents (No. 20 Iowa, No. 19 USC and No. 23 Washington) are ranked.
Texas A&M: The unbeaten Aggies have a mulligan but may not have to use it.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders may have to beat BYU twice to get in.

Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

At 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Big Ten play, Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in the initial College Football Playoff top 25 on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Games to watch

No. 7 BYU at No. 8  Texas Tech: The inside track to the Big 12 championship is on the line. Although if Tech wins, a rematch for the conference crown isn’t out of the question.

No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 22 Missouri: Unbeaten Aggies are closing in on clinching a playoff berth. Missouri is fighting for its playoff life.

No. 5 Georgia at Mississippi State: Admittedly, the first reaction is, “Why would anyone care?” But Georgia isn’t dominating opponents. Mississippi State is literally three plays from being 9-1. Both went into overtime vs. Tennessee.

No. 9 Oregon at No. 20 Iowa: Both are 4-1 in the Big Ten race. Oregon is ranked fifth in the nation in scoring offense. Iowa is fourth in scoring defense.

Tulane at Memphis: A big Friday night encounter. Tulane is trying to stay in American Conference championship contention. Memphis is trying to stay in playoff contention.