FINAL from Nashville: A&M 25, Vandy 0

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman ‏@BrentZwerneman 2h2 hours ago

Vanderbilt's improved defense offers another test for Aggies: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Vanderbilt-s-improved-defense-offers-another-test-6644869.php ... via @HoustonChron

A&M is down to three games this season, including a bowl contest, and needs at least two victories to improve on its 8-5 finish of last season.

The Aggies (7-3, 3-3 SEC) begin that mission on Saturday night on the road against an opponent that's feeling pretty good about itself of late, as Vanderbilt is coming off a 21-17 home victory over Kentucky.

That win was a step in the right direction for the Commodores, who've had a rough early go of it under second-year coach Derek Mason, but it was the week before that had most Southeastern Conference observers buzzing.

Vanderbilt and its surprisingly salty defense fell at No. 8 Florida 9-7 on Nov. 7, a wake-up call to the rest of the league the Commodores (4-6, 2-4) aren't quite the pushover they'd been in finishing 3-9 last season.

"They make it hard to score," A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. "They're going to hold people to field goals, control the clock and play good defense. That's been their formula."

[jbcarol]

Adam Sparks ‏@AdamSparks  19h19 hours ago
5 keys for Vandy vs. Texas A&M. http://tnne.ws/1X3cnLO 

Freshman quarterback Kyle Shurmur needs help from his receivers and the ground game. There were too many drops by wide receivers in last week's win over Kentucky...

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman ‏@BrentZwerneman  1m1 minute ago Nashville, TN
Final stats, Texas A&M 25, Vanderbilt 0: