Florida Football: Ventrell Miller must stop Devon Achane for Gators to win
One of the predicted losses is against this week’s opponent, Texas A&M. The FPI doesn’t account for the Aggies being a train wreck right now, with players smoking weed in the locker room before a game. It correctly factors in that the Aggies have one of the top running backs in the SEC and Florida isn’t exactly great at stopping the run game (or the passing game, but details).
So for the Florida Gators to have a chance this Saturday, Ventrell Miller needs to go beast mode and stop Devon Achane.
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The big headline for Texas A&M beyond being massive Afroman fans is the switch they made at QB prior to their Ole Miss game last week. Five-star prospect Conner Weigman took over for Haynes King, who took over for Max Johnson, and had a productive game. Weigman threw for 338 yards, four TDs, zero interceptions, and only took two sacks.
Most of Weigman’s throws were safe throws to the flat or to the tight end down the seam. His 7.3 yards per passing attempt in the two games he has played in ranks him 73rd nationally.
Weigman by himself isn’t the problem for Florida football. The bigger matchup problem is running back Devon Achane. Listed at 5-9, 185 pounds, Achane isn’t a large back by any means, but he can be effective and is basically the only running back A&M will use.
Achane has 142 carries this year for 765 yards. No other A&M running back has more than 10. He sticks mostly inside the tackles and has a decent burst to get up field. A&M doesn’t bring their offset TE across the line to block as often as some other teams and will run to the strong side of the formation.
But while Achane has good stats and is 3rd in the SEC in rushing yards, his 5.4 yards per carry is only 11th best in the SEC among running backs. This is where Ventrell Miller comes in.
If Miller can slow down Achane, he can slow down A&M’s offense. Against Ole Miss, the Aggies drove down the field the first two drives and scored because Achane tore them up. Once Ole Miss got a beat on Achane, the Aggies were not as effective.
If Miller cannot stop Achane, then Florida football has zero chance. Texas A&M will run the ball down Florida’s throat, make the Gators load the box, then let Weigman hit a tight end down the seam on a play action and let College Station wave their white towels.