JD PicKell: Texas A&M offense looks more competent with Max Johnson at QB
Max Johnson led Texas A&M to a 17-9 victory against the Hurricanes this past week, finishing 10-of-20 passing for 140 yards and a touchdown. The stats weren’t player of the week worthy, but the Aggies got the win regardless.
On The Hard Count, On3 analyst J.D. PicKell breaks down what he saw from the new-look offense with Johnson at the helm.
“It was gut check time in College Station, and to Jimbo Fisher’s credit, he made a change at quarterback,” PicKell said. “The offense scored 17 points, it wasn’t outstanding, by any stretch of the imagination but from an eye test… It is a much more calculated, competent, even a more confident operation on the offensive side of the ball.
“Max Johnson didn’t light up the stat sheet… No picks. They weren’t giving the football away. They were doing what they were supposed to do offensively and not giving the game away.”
“The bigger picture for them going forward… still have real issues,” PicKell continued. “You can’t expect to score 17 points a game going forward, as good as this defense is, to get where they want to go longterm.”
The Aggies have the week to prepare for yet another highly ranked opponent. Texas A&M and No. 10 Arkansas meet in Arlington, Texas for the Southwest Classic on Saturday in AT&T Stadium.
The Hogs have given up 27 points per game through three games this season, which ranks 11th in the conference. Sam Pittman’s squad is especially vulnerable through the air. They rank dead-last in pass defense, allowing 352 passing yards per game. However, the run defense is No. 1 in the SEC, allowing just 68 yards through Week 3.
Fisher assesses Johnson’s first start
Jimbo Fisher was pleased with Max Johnson’s ability to limit his mistakes in his first start for the Aggies.
“First of all, he took care of the football,” Fisher said. “I think he got the ball out. Took a couple of sacks but that’s where it was. There wasn’t nowhere to throw it away. Sometimes you’re attacking the field and there’s no throwaways. Guys are taking away. I thought he had a couple nice pulls and runs. Had another chance to pull one really good that would’ve really helped us one time that I wish he would’ve. He’ll get to that.
“But I think he managed the game and wasn’t too big. Made big third-down throws. Led us. Had good poise (and) understood the information we’re getting back on the sidelines with what was happening in the game. I thought he played a very solid game.”