Texas A&M, stinging from road loss to Miami, is a huge favorite at home against Louisiana-Monroe
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to pass as Miami Hurricanes cornerback Te'Cory Couch (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky
Louisiana-Monroe (2-0) at Texas A&M (1-1), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Line: Texas A&M by 36 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Texas A&M 4-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Aggies will look to bounce back against Louisiana-Monroe after a disappointing 48-33 loss at Miami last week that knocked them out of the AP Top 25. This is Texas A&M’s last tune-up before the team opens Southeastern Conference play Sept. 23 with a visit from Auburn. Louisiana-Monroe is off to its first 2-0 start since 2018 and looks for its first 3-0 start since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1994. The Warhawks last started 3-0 in 1987 when they won their first four games en route to the NCAA I-AA championship.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman vs. the Louisiana-Monroe secondary. Weigman ranks 20th in the nation by averaging 286 yards passing a game. The Warhawks come in at 21st in the country by allowing just 148.5 yards passing a game. Weigman is looking to get back on track after throwing the first two interceptions of his career against the Hurricanes.
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Louisiana-Monroe: RB Hunter Smith. He opened the season with consecutive 100-yard rushing games and ranks 24th in the nation by averaging 102 yards rushing a game. He is paired with Ole Miss transfer Isaiah Woullard, who has 169 yards rushing, to lead a powerful attack which ranks eighth in the country by averaging 246 yards rushing a game.
Texas A&M: WR Evan Stewart. The sophomore had 11 receptions for 145 yards, both career highs, against Miami and ranks fifth in the nation by averaging 128.5 yards receiving a game. Saturday was the fourth career 100-yard receiving game for Stewart and second this season after he had 115 yards receiving with two scores in the opener.
FACTS & FIGURES
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky
Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher played quarterback for Louisiana-Monroe coach Terry Bowden at Samford and was an assistant on his staff for more than a decade at Samford and Auburn. … Each game in this series has been played in College Station. … Texas A&M is 26-7 at home under Fisher. … The Aggies have limited their first two opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. … Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper ranks third in the SEC with four tackles for losses this season. … Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith has at least one catch in 29 consecutive games. … Louisiana-Monroe is 4-50-1 against current members of the SEC. The team’s last win over an SEC team came in 2012, 34-31 in overtime against Arkansas.