COLLEGE STATION -- After a much-needed bye week, the No. 16 Aggies are back to work with a tough matchup against Mississippi State. Jimbo Fisher and select players met with members of the media on Monday, here are some things to know from the availability.

Controlling time of possession

Controlling the time of possession has been a strong point of emphasis for the Jimbo Fisher regime. The Aggies currently rank third in the country averaging 35:46 per game. Fisher’s emphasis on holding the ball was put on full display in the Aggies’ last game against South Carolina, when the Aggies had the ball for 41:29. The emphasis has put made the offense stay on the field longer, which offensive lineman Carson Green says is something that they’re prepared for.

“The time of possession is a big thing. We’re trying to get the defense off so that they can be fresh and out there because they were killing teams like that,” Green said. “Coach Fisher makes sure that we are in shape and can last 40 minutes. For us, when it gets down to the fourth quarter we’re pretty good and other teams are starting to fall.”

Penetrating the Bulldog Front

Led by defensive end Montez Sweat, who leads the SEC in sacks, Mississippi State boasts one of the toughest defensive fronts in the nation. The Bulldogs rank sixth in the country in total defense, averaging an average of just 282.4 yards per game.

"Everybody says that Sweat is just a pass player but he's not, he's a great run player too. He can play physical. You get caught up watching him and you don't realize how good the other guys around him are," Fisher said. "They're real good players that will play in the league some day." 

A&M running back Trayveon Williams, who ranks second in the SEC in rushing yards, will be tasked with getting past that fearsome front and recognzied that it won't be easy. That said, Williams didn't mince words in terms of his confidence in his team to be able to do that. 

"Kudos to Mississippi State they're a great defensive front, especially in short yardage situations but we're going to do what we need to do to overcome them and go out there and beat them," Williams said. 

Drowning out the cowbell

The Aggies have lost three of their last four games against Mississippi State and both of their games in Starkville since joining the SEC. Part of the losses are due to the hostile environment at Davis Wade Stadium — which is notorious for their fans ringing cowbells throughout the game. Many players weighed in on the impact of the noise and punter Braden Mann said that the team will implement cowbell sounds into their weekly loud speaker to mimick what they will hear on Saturday. 

“Every week in practice we have the opposing teams chants or cowbells,” Mann said. “We’ll be hearing some cowbells this week in practice for sure — I’m sure you’ll be able to hear it across the street too.”

Injury Update

Jimbo Fisher stated that WR Kendrick Rogers and OL Keaton Sutherland will be back after missing the game against South Carolina due to injuries.