Texas A&M's Defense Is Improving, But Can It Save Mike Elko's Season?

Texas A&M football has plenty of problems heading into Saturday's showdown with No. 8 Tennessee, but the Aggies' defense might not be one of them anymore.

While Mike Elko faces mounting criticism over a disappointing 4-5 season, defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill has quietly transformed a struggling unit into one of the more respectable defenses in the Southeastern Conference.

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And the numbers suggest the Aggies' biggest problem isn't stopping opponents. It's scoring enough points to win.

Texas A&M enters Saturday's game ranked 28th nationally in total defense, 37th against the pass and 51st against the run.

More impressively, the Aggies rank first nationally in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score on just 61 percent of their opportunities.

Third-down defense has also improved, ranking 17th nationally.

Those aren't insignificant accomplishments for a first-year defensive coordinator working through personnel changes and injuries.

But there's one glaring weakness Hemphill hasn't solved.

Texas A&M has recorded just nine sacks through nine games, ranking 133rd nationally.

Sophomore edge rusher Marco Jones leads the team with 3.5 sacks, highlighting the Aggies' inability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Transfer Anto Saka was expected to strengthen the pass rush, but injuries have complicated the defensive front's development.

The emergence of freshmen Bryce Perry-Wright and Tristian Givens, however, offers encouragement heading into the final three games.

Both showed promising flashes against South Carolina, providing a glimpse of what Hemphill's defense could become with another offseason of development.

Meanwhile, the offense remains a completely different story.

Texas A&M managed 457 total yards in last Saturday's 17-9 loss to South Carolina but failed to score a touchdown.

Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for 251 yards, while running back Rueben Owens II rushed for 137.

Despite moving the football, the Aggies couldn't finish drives.

Elko has resisted calls to replace first-year offensive play-caller Holmon Wiggins.

"Right now, I believe that's our best opportunity to be successful," Elko said Monday when explaining his decision to keep Wiggins calling plays.

The numbers make that decision increasingly difficult to defend.

Texas A&M is averaging just 16 points per SEC game, ranking last in the conference. The Aggies have failed to score an offensive touchdown in three conference games this season.

Against Tennessee, Hemphill's defense faces another demanding assignment, particularly against running back DeSean Bishop and the Volunteers' talented offense.

But even another strong defensive showing might not be enough.

The Aggies need two victories in their final three games to reach bowl eligibility, with trips against Tennessee and Oklahoma preceding their rivalry finale against Texas.

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Hemphill appears to be building something worth keeping in College Station.

The question now is whether Elko can get the other side of the football moving before the season slips away.