Five things that must happen for Kentucky to beat Texas A&M

Saturday is a big day for Kentucky football as they go on the road for the first time this year to face the Texas A&M Aggies. The Wildcats played a very good Alabama team well, and will need to be even better this week if they want to get the upset victory.

This year's Kentucky squad is one of the most talented rosters they have had in recent years. However, they're still learning to play together, and how to win games, especially against good teams.

There's no question that Texas A&M is a good team. They have a strong defense that has excelled at forcing turnovers so far. On offense, they're not as consistent, but they can certainly put up points if quarterback Marcel Reed is playing well.

If Kentucky wants to win this week, they will need to be at their peak. Here are five things they need to do to get their biggest win in quite some time.

Kentucky has to get the receivers involved

Against Alabama, the Wildcats' wide receivers caught just six passes for 58 yards, with most of that going to freshman Kenny Darby. They got nothing down the field, and it made the game easier for the Tide defense. The coaching staff will have to figure out how to change that this week, and the players will have to go make plays. Guys like D.J. Miller and Nic Anderson will need to create plays.

The Wildcats tight ends need to dominate

Willie Rodriguez has been as good as everyone expected this season so far. He was their leading receiver last week, and his ability to create mismatches. However, they also need to get Mikkel Skinner involved. Against Alabama, he didn't play much, and his athleticism was missed. Skinner is big, fast, and is hard to cover one-on-one. The coaches need to utilize him.

Keep Marcel Reed in the pocket

In the first half of the Alabama game, the Wildcats defense feasted by keeping Keelon Russell in the pocket, and making him uncomfortable. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed can similarly change a game if allowed to scramble and get confident. However, Reed can also be susceptible to mistakes, and Kentucky will need to force a few on Saturday.

Kentucky has to avoid the second half swoon

The game against Alabama played out like too many games have in the past. They were in the game at halftime, and then the second half just got away from them, and the final score ended up being a blowout. Kentucky coaches have to make the right halftime adjustments, and then keep from giving up all the momentum. They can't allow the game to snowball out of control if they are in it in the second half.

Avoid giving Texas A&M short fields

Part of the reason the second half got away from Kentucky against Alabama was them being given short fields. A failed fake punt and a fumble were the big plays, and they were each converted into easy points. The Cats will need to make the Aggies earn their points.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Five things that must happen for Kentucky to beat Texas A&M