John Harris breaks down the Xs and Os of A&M's new-look offense

FootballTakeover's John Harris is talking schemes following the Aggies' 52-10 win over New Mexico. The Houston Texans' sideline reporter joined TexAgs Radio on Wednesday to break down the Xs and Os of a new-look offense under Bobby Petrino and a faster defense in 2023.

Key notes from John Harris interview

• When a new coordinator takes over, it's like giving a chef a random basket. Bobby Petrino opened this basket, and he has filet mignon receivers and Conner Weigman at quarterback. New Mexico's Achilles’ heel was who they were matching up with at wide receiver. That was the biggest thing. A&M took advantage of it. 
   
• Noah Thomas was running slot fade against safeties. I want A&M to run the ball and be physical, but how do you match up with Ainias Smith, Moose Muhammad, Evan Stewart and Noah on the field? You can play a bunch of zone, and I think Miami will. These guys are good with yards after the catch. If you play four corners, then you can run the ball. 
   
• I do think there are some things to clean up. The offensive line is good enough, and that means Conner can get the ball off.
   
• I'm curious how Miami will go about this. They have great safeties. The one thing I love about Bobby Petrino is if you keep giving him things, he is going to take it. 
   
• Miami Ohio was hanging on for deal life last year. I dont think Miami’s corners have been tested. They will be this week. I think you will see selective pressures. I think they will play a nickel. They want to challenge A&M to go 10 to 12 plays a drive. 
   
• You will see more zone, off-coverage and disguises. Conner has to distinguish what the defense is doing. Do not get impatient. Take the profit. You don’t always have to run the ball by handing it off to a running back. Teams are throwing the ball to their running backs in the backfield more than ever. 
   
• New Mexico is such a tough one. I felt like the front six and seven were playing faster. Edgerrin Cooper was. He was not slow to react. A&M needs to eliminate the Miami run game completely. Miami will result to the short and quick stuff. They will use horizontal stuff. That depth has to be on point. That will be the best part of this game because they can stay fresh up front. A&M had depth. 
   
• I like Tyler Van Dyke. We can make every arm motion you want him to make. He reminds me a little of Matt Stafford wearing #9. A&M has to challenge him and put him in 2nd-and-long, 3rd and long situations. I think Van Dyke is a good quarterback. 
   
• Fundamentally speaking, I think A&M is in a good spot. Their defense played much faster. That comes in a second year of D.J. Durkin's defense. Everyone can benefit from that.