Texas A&M Sees Defense Takes Solid First Step Versus Florida - AD Hyman Says Florida Game Great First Impression

By: CBS Sports.com

Updated: Tue 11:11 PM, Sep 11, 2012

BRYAN, TX -- Texas A&M (0-1, 0-1 SEC) will head to SMU (1-1, 0-0 C-USA) on Saturday to battle the SMU Ponies at Ford Stadium in Dallas for a 2:30 kick. The game will be broadcast on FSN. The Aggies are favored by 13 points.

Below is Larry Harstein Texas A&M - SMU Blog from CBSSports.com.

Watchability: Kevin Sumlin's fast-paced offense should break out against the Mustangs after being shut out in the second half of the 20-17 loss to Florida.

Shining stars: Texas A&M: Johnny Manziel. The redshirt freshman gave Aggies fans a lot to look forward to with his debut vs. Florida, when he hit 23 of 30 passes and ran for 60 yards. He has uncommon speed for a quarterback, but must learn not to leave the pocket so quickly. SMU: Zach Line. The bruising 230-pound senior has run for 195 yards and two TDs through two games, and has more than 3,100 career rushing yards with 36 scores. Look for the Mustangs to try to slow the Aggies' pass rush with a heavy dose of the Line.

Who could steal the show: Texas A&M: Defensive end Damontre Moore is coming off a career-high three sacks against Florida. The junior had 10 total tackles. Last year, Moore finished with 8.5 sacks in 12 games. SMU: Defensive back Kenneth Acker scored two touchdowns, one on an interception return and one on a blocked field goal, in the Mustangs' 52-0 win over Stephen F. Austin. He had two of SMU's seven interceptions. The Mustangs set a C-USA record by forcing 10 turnovers.

You going? Ranking the road trip: SMU's Boulevard is an excellent tailgating area. After the game, head to Dallas' Lower Greenville area for great nightlife.

Magic number for Texas A&M: 8. That's how many catches Ryan Swope had in last year's 46-14 Aggies rout of SMU. The receptions went for 109 yards and a TD.

Magic number for SMU: 16. That's how many 100-yard rushing games Line has in his career. He's fourth among all active FBS players in career rushing yards.

The game comes down to: The Aggies are clearly the better team. The question is whether they'll have a hangover after an emotional home loss to Florida.

Prediction: Texas A&M 34, SMU 24

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