We missed 21 tackles Saturday night. Previous high this season was 12.

At least according to Hester. I think 19 was the original number, but was corrected after reviewing the film. Speaking of which, he said it wasn’t an effort thing or a toughness thing—he said we weren’t getting pushed around as much as we thought in real time.

Said it was more being unsound in our gap integrity. For both the DL and LBs. Were there for the tackles, but the missed assignments put us in awkward positions, over pursuing, and poor technique, which led to the missed tackles. Like we weren’t in a position to break down and take on their blockers and Achane straight up, we were more reaching off balance and couldn’t finish. Said it was strange that a unit that well coached all year that had been so disciplined did that in the last game of the year. Jokingly, but serious, said it may have actually been because of Jimbo’s antiquated offense. We just hadn’t seen much old-school 22 personnel all year and weren’t able to handle it.

Not excusing it, just giving a potential explanation that might not have been due to lack of effort or being worn down and being physically dominated straight up. We were physically dominated, but it may have been mainly due to just being out of position most of the night. So a sliver of hope that that can be corrected and not just “if A&M was able to just play straight up and dominate our defense, we’ve got no chance if Georgia does the same thing with better players.”