There are no absolutes.
Still, elite quarterback play is absolutely required to reach the College Football Playoff. At least, it seems that way.
In recent seasons, the playoff field has featured star quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Kyler Murray, Tau Tagovailoa, Baker Mayfield and … Ian Book? Again, there are no absolutes.
Still, it’s clear strong quarterback play is a necessity for playoff inclusion. After Kellen Mond’s stellar performance in a 42-31 victory over Arkansas on Saturday night at Kyle Field, it’s clear the 4-1 Aggies are legitimate playoff contenders.
Three weeks ago, Mond enjoyed perhaps the best game of his A&M career in a 41-38 victory over then-No. 4 Florida.
“I think I still have a lot more work to do. I felt really good just trusting my eyes tonight. Being able to read defenses and getting us into better plays. But my growth is nowhere near where it can be by the end of the season.”
- A&M quarterback Kellen Mond
Once again, he was razor-sharp against the Razorbacks. Mond completed 21 of 26 passes for 260 yards. He threw a touchdown pass to Ainias Smith. He threw two to Jalen Wydermyer.
Equally important, he threw no passes to the visiting Razorbacks.
Arkansas entered the game leading the nation with 10 interceptions. Three were returned for touchdowns in the Hogs’ victories over Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
Mond kept the football out of the Hogs' hands. He avoided an interception for the eighth consecutive game at Kyle Field.
Though he was excellent, he’s not elite. Not yet, anyway.
“I think I still have a lot more work to do,” Mond said. “I felt really good just trusting my eyes tonight. Being able to read defenses and getting us into better plays. But my growth is nowhere near where it can be by the end of the season.”
Yes. The end of the season. Could that be in the playoffs?
Five games remain, all against seriously flawed opponents. The Aggies' only loss was at Alabama. Their triumph over Florida is one of the two best wins in college football.
The Aggies are ranked eighth. They’re surely climbing after No. 6 Oklahoma State fell on Saturday. They look every bit like a top-ten team.
That is if you know what a top-team team looks like.
Sam Craft, USA Today
True freshman Devon Achane showed that he could be another weapon for this potent Texas A&M offense.
“I don't know what a top-ten looks like. I just know we’ve got to play better than the guys we're playing,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “That’s all I'm worried about and keep getting better. We're far from a polished group yet. We’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s encouraging that we're still able to pull some wins out."
Don’t believe that. Fisher has been on too many championship teams and championship contenders. He knows the markings of a legitimate top-ten program.
A&M has those markings. In their last three games, the Aggies posted their first win under Fisher over a top-five opponent. They ended a losing streak in Starkville, and they finally posted a comfortable win over Arkansas.
Mond is a big part of all that but by no means the only part.
The offensive line did not allow a sack for the fourth straight game. The running game produced an impressive 182 yards. The Aggies converted 7 of 11 opportunities on the all-important third down. They scored on six straight legitimate series. That’s against highly-respected Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom.
Running back Isaiah Spiller was again productive. Smith and Wydermyer reasserted themselves as big-play threats. Hezekiah Jones returned from injury to give the receiving corps a needed boost. Freshman running back Devon Achane got into the action and contributed a brow-raising 30-yard touchdown run, which staked the Aggies to a 42-17 lead late in the third quarter.
Also, A&M’s pass rush blew through the Swine line to post four sacks.
This was not a perfect game, though. Far from it.
Sam Craft, USA Today
A&M’s defense must improve for the Aggies to reach the playoff.
Penalties were a problem, especially on defense. The Aggies secondary was flagged three times for pass interference. A&M also allowed Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks to pass for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The Razorbacks rushed for 222 yards, too.
“I was disappointed there that we weren't able to run the clock out and kept giving them the ball back,” Fisher said. “Defense; I wish we didn't give up that last drive, but you know, there's always things. We’re a work in progress. We're a long way from finished, and we just keep grinding.”
No doubt, the Aggies will keep grinding. They’ll keep working to get better.
The pass defense must improve. They need to remain sound in pass protection. The pass rush must continue its surge. The running game has to stay productive.
And Mond must play more consistently at the high level he demonstrated against Arkansas.
If those goals are accomplished in the second half of the season, could the Aggies reach the playoffs?
Absolutely.
