Mississippi State Football: 5 Texas A&M players who could be a problem for Bulldogs
By Landon Young
The Mississippi State Bulldogs take on the Texas A&M Aggies this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT. The 2022 Mississippi State football team looks to carry over its momentum going this weekend vs. the Aggies. Who are the people that could stop them? I’m glad you asked.
Fadil Diggs (Defensive Lineman)
Personally, I believe this is the number one guy that Mississippi State needs to be on the lookout for Saturday afternoon. Fadil Diggs is an extreme pass rusher, and he is going to be looking to put some numbers in the sack stat sheet on Saturday. The Mississippi State offensive line needs to be healthy, ready, and mean to be able to give Will Rogers III time in the pocket. Rogers proved last Saturday that when he has time in the pocket, he can make big plays happen.
Devon Achane (Running Back)
This is sort of an obvious pick here considering he is the most explosive player on the Texas A&M offense. It wasn’t until Devon Achane broke off on a 63-yard run that the Aggies found life vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks last weekend. The Mississippi State football defense cannot allow Achane to get going on the ground this Saturday. The Bulldogs run defense has been stellar thus far this season, but I’m not sure we’ve faced an explosive player in the backfield like Achane yet.
Antonio Johnson (Defensive Back)
Many Texas A&M fans are high on Antonio Johnson this season. He seems to be in on all the big plays that the Aggies make on defense. Of course, this brings a challenge for the Mississippi State football offense that consistently drops back to pass. Expect to see Rogers throw to the opposite of Johnson’s side of the field on Saturday afternoon.
Max Johnson (Quarterback)
Max Johnson has taken over as the starting quarterback of the Texas A&M Aggies after their loss to the Appalachian State Mountaineers. He hasn’t necessarily done anything special or made any big plays, but he’s kept them from making the mistakes that Haynes King made early in this season.
Chris Russell Jr. (Inside/Middle Linebacker)
The Bulldogs must be on the lookout for Chris Russell Jr. Saturday afternoon. Being in the middle of the field, Russell Jr. will be set to make big plays for the Aggies. Whether the Aggie defense decides to rush him or set him up to defend the pass over the middle, Russell Jr. is a guy that will need to be on Will Rogers’ mind as he drops back to pass.