Louisville is hoping to take advantage against the struggling Texas A&M Aggies who were hit with a number of player issues following their regular-season finale loss to LSU. They finished the season 7-5 after hitting a nice second-half surge in the season. The finished the year winning five of their final six games which gives them some solid momentum heading into the bowl game. Turnovers were their downfall as they aim to avoid adding to the 27 they committed this year. Quarterback Lamar Jackson appears to be a start in the making after finishing with 734 rushing yards while throwing 1,613 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is the consistency the Cardinals want at the position and the Aggies need as the two teams prepare to face off in the Music City Bowl in Nashville.
The Cardinals will try and ride the defense against Texas A&M who will push running back Tra Carson. The Cardinals help opponents to just 323.4 yards per game while allowing them to rush for just 11.8.8 yards per game. That will be a key stat in the matchup. Jackson will make the offense get down the field as the Aggies' defense has been inconsistency all season. If the defense can step up as well, the Cardinals have a shot at the upset.
The Aggies started the year off with a lot of promise. The team went 5-0 to being the year, but stumbled in SEC West play finishing fifth with a 4-4 record. They ended the year with an ugly loss to the LSU Tigers and then the wheels fell off. Kyle Allen announced he was transferring after getting granted a release from the program. That would not be that bad except Kyle Murray also announced he is transferring leaving the program in a state of chaos. Allen and Murray alternated at the quarterback all season. Allen's downfall was throwing three pick sixes against Alabama.
With quarterbacks not making the trip to Nashville, the Aggies will be forced to play Jake Hubenak who was a junior college transfer and the only scholarship quarterback left on the roster. He has made four appearances this season going 12 of 27 for 92 yards and a touchdown. He did lead the NJCAA with 4,052 yards in 2014 for 47 touchdowns and nine interceptions and could be the quarterback of the future which means Texas A&M fans could be getting a glimpse of what is to come for the program.
From the outside looking in, Texas A&M is quickly falling apart. The team ended the season with another disappointing record of 8-4 while several players are jumping ship for other programs. With quarterback depth officially an issue for the Aggies, they could have issues as the team prepares to face off against Louisville in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
