South Carolina football vs Texas A&M: Scouting report, score prediction for SEC Week 9

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football aims to end a three-game losing streak when it travels to College Station to face Texas A&M in Week 9.

The Gamecocks (2-5, 1-4 SEC) are coming off of a brutal 34-12 loss to SEC East rival Missouri (6-1, 3-1) last week, while the Aggies (4-3, 2-2) had an open Week 8 to recover from a 20-13 loss at Tennessee. Despite starting the season ranked No. 25 in the US LBM coaches’ poll, the Aggies are no longer even receiving votes since falling to the Vols.

South Carolina earned its first win in program history over Texas A&M in 2022, beating the Aggies 30-24 at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks have never won in four meetings at Kyle Field, and the team has an abysmal 2-9 record in SEC road games under coach Shane Beamer.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Aggies ahead of the matchup Saturday (noon, SEC Network):

Edgerrin Cooper headlines elite Texas A&M defensive front

Beamer described Edgerrin Cooper as the best defensive player in the SEC this season, and the junior linebacker has the numbers to back up that claim. He ranks No. 11 in the country in sacks with six in seven games, and he is also No. 3 in tackles for loss with 13.5. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Cooper also has two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble recovery.

Three of the Aggies’ four starting defensive linemen are former top-100 recruits — including five-star tackle Walter Nolen, who ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2022. South Carolina has struggled badly against disruptive defenses, giving up a combined 12 sacks to Tennessee and Missouri and an SEC-leading 31 overall. With three starting offensive linemen questionable because of injuries, quarterback Spencer Rattler may find himself running for his life — again.

Aggies bring special teams to rival Beamer Ball

All 12 of South Carolina’s points against Missouri came from kicker Mitch Jeter on field goals, and the senior also produced touchbacks on all but one of his kickoffs. Punter Kai Kroeger also had a solid performance, averaging 47 yards per punt with two inside the 20-yard line in unusually windy conditions.

The Aggies boast one of the best returners in the country in Ainias Smith, who ranks No. 2 nationally averaging 20.2 yards per punt return. The fifth-year wide receiver returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown against Arkansas, and that was after he fumbled the initial recovery. The special teams unit also blocked both a field goal and a punt in its rivalry game with Alabama.

SHANE BEAMER: How Shane Beamer’s first 3 South Carolina seasons are better, worse than Steve Spurrier, Will Muschamp

How Texas A&M fares with backup QB Max Johnson

Aggies starter Connor Weigman suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3 against Auburn, leaving backup Max Johnson at the helm of the offense for the second year in a row. He has averaged 224 yards passing per game in his first three starts, but he had his worst game of the season against Tennessee with no touchdowns and two interceptions on 47.1% completion.

Johnson is a traditional pocket passer with negative rushing yardage in four of six games in which he has appeared; that means getting quarterback pressure will be key for South Carolina. The Gamecocks have generated just 13 sacks in seven games, but their best showing came against Mississippi State with three sacks on quarterback Will Rogers.

South Carolina score prediction

Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 20: The Gamecocks aren’t healthy enough to field a competitive offensive line, and the team struggles again in the red zone. The Aggies’ receivers break down the South Carolina secondary, and Smith has a touchdown both on offense and on special teams.