ULM (3-4) at Texas A&M (5-3) (ET)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Kyle Field (106,511) -- College Station, Texas. Television: SEC Network. Home Record: ULM 3-1, Texas A&M 2-1. Away Record: ULM 0-3, Texas A&M 2-2. Neutral Record: ULM 0-0, Texas A&M 1-0. Conference Record: ULM 2-2, Texas A&M 2-3. Series Record: Texas A&M leads, 2-0.
GAME NOTES: Attempting to put an end to its three-game losing streak, the Texas A&M Aggies will step out of SEC play on Saturday afternoon to take on the ULM Warhawks at Kyle Field.
ULM is in the midst of a three-game losing streak of its own, most recently falling at home to Texas State, 22-18. The Warhawks are just 3-4 overall, which includes a 2-2 mark in the Sun Belt Conference.
Texas A&M was once ranked as high as No. 6 following a 5-0 start. It was put to the test in October with three straight games against three of the nation's best but fell handily to Mississippi State (48-31), Ole Miss (35-20) and Alabama (59-0) to plummet quickly out of the rankings. The Aggies are now just 5-3 overall (2-3 SEC) and will close out the regular season with three more tough matchups against Auburn, Missouri and LSU.
The Aggies have beaten the Warhawks in both previous meetings, most recently at home in 2007, 54-14.
The Warhawks' offense is one of the nation's worst, as they rank 118th in scoring (17.6 ppg) and have put up more than 22 points just once in seven games. They underwhelmed once again in their most recent contest with just one touchdown.
Pete Thomas has taken care of the football, throwing just four interceptions in 264 pass attempts, but he hasn't done much else to impress. He's completing less than 59 percent of his passes for 1,562 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite ranking third on the squad in receptions (30), Ajalen Holley has amassed a team-best 534 yards and five touchdowns. Rashon Ceaser (41 receptions, 337 yards) and Kenzee Jackson (37 receptions, 428 yards, two TDs) are solid possession guys.
Centarius Donald has piled up 436 yards and four touchdowns on 103 carries, but the Warhawks' rushing attack overall has been lackluster with 93.0 ypg on a mere 2.7 yards per carry.
While ULM's defense isn't quite strong enough to support an underwhelming offense, the unit has still been solid in allowing 27.1 ppg and 364.7 ypg while holding opponents to just a 30-percent conversion rate on third down.
Mitch Lane is the team leader in tackles (52) and has also picked off three passes. Gerrand Johnson, Hunter Kissinger, Michael Johnson and Ray Stovall have impressed in the front seven with a combined 24.5 TFL and 14.5 sacks, with Kissinger adding a pair of interceptions as well.
Texas A&M's potent offense (38.4 ppg, 515.8 ypg) has seen a steep decline in production as its competition has improved, culminating in a shutout loss to Alabama its last time out. It was the first time the team had been blanked since 2003.
Kenny Hill was a Heisman Trophy contender early in the season but his play has tapered off drastically. He threw for just 138 yards, was sacked five times and was picked off once against Alabama. Despite his recent struggles, Hill still ranks sixth in the nation in both passing yards (2,649) and touchdowns (23) with an impressive completion percentage (.667).
The Aggies have one of the nation's deepest receiving corps, boasting six players with at least 25 receptions. Josh Reynolds has been the most dynamic of the bunch with 518 yards and eight touchdowns on 32 catches. Malcome Kennedy (382 yards, two TDs) and Ricky Seals-Jones (377 yards, three TDs) share the team lead with 37 receptions, with Kennedy doing so having missed two games.
A successful three-headed rushing attack consists of Trey Williams (313 yards, five TDs), Tra Carson (279 yards, four TDs) and Brandon Williams (209 yards, two TDs).
After a great start to the season, the Aggies' defense has tailed off considerably in recent weeks, and they had no answer for the Crimson Tide in their last game in allowing 59 points and more than 600 yards. On the season, the unit gives up 27.1 ppg and 422.6 ypg while creating just six takeaways.
Myles Garrett has been outstanding as a freshman with 7.5 sacks and another seven QB hurries. The only other defensive standout is Deshazor Everett, who leads the team with 53 tackles and has one of the team's two interceptions.
Texas A&M has been reeling of late, but its bye week came at a perfect time for it to assess its issues and try to move forward. A soft non-conference home matchup in a good place to start, as the Warhawks won't have much of a chance at keeping pace with the high-powered Aggies.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas A&M 51, ULM 17