I keep seeing folks either expect us to easily handle A&M

[Tin Cup Cowboy]

or it is considered a toss up game. I'm not sure either way, haven't made my mind up yet.

But my question is this:

Has this game become our fans new version of the Arkansas game?

 

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

No

I think A & M is going to finish dead last in the SEC west, even below the Hogs .

Their defense was the worst I have seen in this league in a reall long time. If they didnt have the best player in the country playing QB for them, they probably would have lost 7-8 games.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Sumlin has been a head coach for 6 years now.

His teams have finished 3rd, 1st, 23rd, 1st, 2nd, and 9th nationally in total offense in those seasons.

Those teams were 10th, 1st, 13th, 1st, 4th, and 5th nationally in scoring offense.

In other words, I'm betting A&M finds a way to put a pretty good offense on the field this fall. Their defense may or may not suck again, but they'll be a tough out, because they're going to score points. It's not just a Manziel thing with Sumlin.

 

[The Usual Suspect]

I believe Sumlin had Case Keenum and Johnny Manzel those years,...

Keenum has been with Texans last 2 years. Not saying you are wrong Bruiser but those were great college qbs. Also, I think he will have a good O, but those types of offenses rarely are complemented by a good defense. See Tx Tech.

 

[57stratdawg]

I just disagree with this.

I expect A&M to, if not lead the SEC in offense, to be one of the top two or three. People have been saying for years that as soon as 'all that talent' leaves the A&M offense, they're not going to be as good. I just wouldn't hold my breath on that.

His system makes some good QBs put up extraordinary numbers, it's not the other way around.

 

[121Josey]

Sumlin has been a head coach for 6 years now.

His teams have finished 3rd, 1st, 23rd, 1st, 2nd, and 9th nationally in total offense in those seasons.

Those teams were 10th, 1st, 13th, 1st, 4th, and 5th nationally in scoring offense.

In other words, I'm betting A&M finds a way to put a pretty good offense on the field this fall. Their defense may or may not suck again, but they'll be a tough out, because they're going to score points. It's not just a Manziel thing with Sumlin.

Those offenses haven't led to many notable winning records. Maybe if his offense can find a way to replace three first round draft picks (6, 7, 22), then they'll repeat their performance last year. But to call them a tough out at this point is not reasonable.

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs	Coaches[SUP]#[/SUP]	AP[SUP]°[/SUP]
Houston Cougars (Conference USA) <small>(2008–2011)</small>
2008	Houston	8–5	6–2	3rd <small>(West)</small>	W Armed Forces
2009	Houston	10–4	6–2	1st <small>(West)</small>	L Armed Forces
2010	Houston	5–7	4–4	3rd <small>(West)</small>
2011	Houston	12–1	8–0	1st <small>(West)</small>	TicketCity *	14	18
Houston:	35–17	24–8
Texas A&M Aggies (Southeastern Conference) <small>(2012–present)</small>
2012	Texas A&M	11–2	6–2	T–2nd <small>(West)</small>	W Cotton	5	5
2013	Texas A&M	9–4	4–4	4th <small>(West)</small>	W Chick-fil-A	18	18

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[57stratdawg]

I don't think I understand. I see winning records in every year (half of them double digits, btw) except 2010 where they had to play true freshmen at QB after Case Keenum went down. If we exclude 2010 (due to injury), he's averaging 10 wins per season.

Also, they have another 1st round pick at LT this year in Cedric Ogbuehi, and they have Mike Matthews (Another one of Bruce's kid) starting at C. ESPN had their OL the #2 unit in the conference behind South Car in preseason breakdowns.

 

[ronpolk]

Sumlin has been a head coach for 6 years now.

His teams have finished 3rd, 1st, 23rd, 1st, 2nd, and 9th nationally in total offense in those seasons.

Those teams were 10th, 1st, 13th, 1st, 4th, and 5th nationally in scoring offense.

In other words, I'm betting A&M finds a way to put a pretty good offense on the field this fall. Their defense may or may not suck again, but they'll be a tough out, because they're going to score points. It's not just a Manziel thing with Sumlin.

One big difference. He has not had to face SEC defenses without Johnny Football. Make no mistake they will put up points but they have to face Bama, LSU, State and Ole Miss which are all good on D.

 

[121Josey]

His system makes some good QBs put up extraordinary numbers, it's not the other way around.

His system or Kliff Kingsbury's system?

Plays per game: 2013 2012
TT 90.3 76.5
TAMU 73.8 85.2
MSU 74.2 66.7

Yds per game
TT 492.3 495.5
TAMU 523.8 571.8
MSU 424.2 381.0

 

[121Josey]

Oh, you take a double-digit 14-game winning season but you omit a 5-7 season on account of an injury? How benevolent**

That's the same line as last year but without Jake Matthews. It may be as good. Won't be better.

RB should be slightly better. But that's not their game (or hasn't been).

They have the #1 QB recruit from last year. He has had a spring practice but I don't think he'll be as accurate (or agile) as Manziel in his first season.

 

[57stratdawg]

It's an outlier, isn't it? Unless you're predicting his QB gets hurt and has to be replaced by a couple of true freshmen. Is that what you're predicting?

Even included 2010, he's still average 9+ wins a season. I think they'll be a 8 to 10 football team. History sure seems to be on my side.

 

[57stratdawg]

His

 

[msstate7]

How many times in the last 2 years has an sec defense had aTm defensed perfectly only to give up a huge play bc of Manziel and Evans? I'd say a lot. Those 2 weren't just really good players. They were some of the best the sec has seen. aTm will be good offensively, but they will certainly feel the loss of those two

 

[121Josey]

It's an outlier, isn't it? Unless you're predicting his QB gets hurt and has to be replaced by a couple of true freshmen. Is that what you're predicting?

Even included 2010, he's still average 9+ wins a season. I think they'll be a 8 to 10 football team. History sure seems to be on my side.

I don't understand your question about the quarterback, first of all. Second, I see up year, down year, no Top 25 3 Top 25s. I just don't see an up year this year much less a Top 25 finish. History is always on your side if that's the way you write it.**

I'm assuming that you're counting a bowl win in your "8 to 10 football team". That's going to make the losses 5 or less. Tell me how realistic you think 9 to 10 is counting the fact that they almost lost to Duke last year in their bowl game (no slight to Duke). Take a moment and study their schedule and count the games where they might not be favored.

2014 Texas A&M Aggies Football Schedule
Date		Opponent	Time/TV	Tickets
Thursday Aug. 28		at South Carolina Gamecocks Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC	5:00 p.m. CT SEC Network	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sept. 6		Lamar Cardinals Kyle Field, College Station, TX	6:30 p.m. CT SEC Network	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sept. 13		Rice Owls Kyle Field, College Station, TX	8:00 p.m. CT ESPN2	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sept. 20		at SMU Mustangs Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Sept. 27		Arkansas Razorbacks AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 4		at Mississippi State Bulldogs Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 11		Ole Miss Rebels Kyle Field, College Station, TX	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 18		at Alabama Crimson Tide Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Oct. 25	---	Open Date	---	---
Saturday Nov. 1		ULM Warhawks Kyle Field, College Station, TX	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 8		at Auburn Tigers Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 15		Missouri Tigers Kyle Field, College Station, TX	TBA	Buy Tickets
Saturday Nov. 22	---	Open Date	---	---
Thursday Nov. 27		LSU Tigers Kyle Field, College Station, TX	6:30 p.m. CT ESPN	Buy Tickets

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[121Josey]

His

"His" system didn't look so hot without Kingsbury. Maybe you're right, but history's not on your side.**

 

[dogfan96]

Their last 2 recruiting classes were ranked 6 and 7.. #2 so far this year. The SEC brand has served them well.

 

[57stratdawg]

Who cares how their D looked against Duke (a ten win regular season team, BTW) in last years bowl game? Are you down on Alabama too since their D gave up about as many points?

What if last year was the down year? Everyone says the same short-sighted line: "let's see them replace those draft picks". But, like in 2013, it won't be their offensive talent that tells the tale - it'll be their defense. They averaged 44 PPG in 2012 and 2013, but won two less last year cause their D got railroaded.

Let's go on and get you on record. I think the floor for A&M this year is 8-5. Yours must be considerably less, so what is it?

 

[FISHDAWG]

maybe so but it will have to be done with a freshman QB (not named Manziel) this year

 

[FISHDAWG]

It's an outlier, isn't it? Unless you're predicting his QB gets hurt and has to be replaced by a couple of true freshmen. Is that what you're predicting?

Even included 2010, he's still average 9+ wins a season. I think they'll be a 8 to 10 football team. History sure seems to be on my side.

he is already starting a freshman ...if the freshman QB goes down then he will be replaced by a walk on sophomore ... hope this helps your understanding some ... this is partly why folks are expectant for this game

 

[The Usual Suspect]

A&M has had, and continues to get great, great Offensive Tackles. ...

This has been one of their secrets of success. Let me say also that A&M would not have ever have had the recruiting success they had without Manziel. They really owe him. He didn't even want to go there, but TX wouldn't offer him for QB.

 

[Requiem For A Dawg]

They aren't going to beat anyone if all their players keep getting arrested.

 

[MSUDC11]

Their offense will obviously miss Manziel and Evans, but it will still be pretty good. It's all about the defense for them.

I think they definitely go to a bowl game, which means they are definitely capable of coming into Starkville and winning.

 

[engie]

It's an outlier, isn't it? Unless you're predicting his QB gets hurt and has to be replaced by a couple of true freshmen.

His starting QB is already likely to be a true freshman this year...

I agree that their offense will be formidable. I just don't think their defense will be close. 3 of their returning starters have been kicked off in the last month or two...

 

[57stratdawg]

But the two situations couldn't be less comparable. Allen is an extremely talented kid(#1 QB on ESPN) and an EE. That's a little different than burning Terrance Broadway's redshirt unexpectedly. Hill can play too. If they struggle to win games this year, it won't be on either of those two. I don't think Joeckel leaves if he thinks he's their starter in 2014.

They keep turning out 1st round picks, and signing top ranked classes right along with Auburn, LSU, and Georgia. There's a lot of talent flowing through that school these days.

 

[121Josey]

Who cares how their D looked against Duke (a ten win regular season team, BTW) in last years bowl game? Are you down on Alabama too since their D gave up about as many points?

My point is that it's not a given that they win their bowl game!!!! But to your point, how long before someone else exploits the A&M D? About Bama, they gave up a lot of points on 429 yds (gave up 393 to Auburn and 500+ to TAMU). That's a far cry from 661 yds!!!! Oklahama offense scored 31 pts in the first half, 7 in the second. And yes, as a matter of fact, I think Bama will be not be as good on D this year.

What if last year was the down year? Everyone says the same short-sighted line: "let's see them replace those draft picks". But, like in 2013, it won't be their offensive talent that tells the tale - it'll be their defense. They averaged 44 PPG in 2012 and 2013, but won two less last year cause their D got railroaded.

You say THE down year. I'm saying A down year. If you make improvements on your defense, but you decline on your offense, that doesn't make you better (depending on the ratio). For the sake of their defense, they had better hope that their offense is improved (which it's not) because they dropped to 118 in TOP. That puts that D on the field for a long, long time.

Let's go on and get you on record. I think the floor for A&M this year is 8-5. Yours must be considerably less, so what is it?

This has to be the craziest **** I've ever seen you post on here. A floor at 8-5? You've got to be kidding me. Their ceiling is 8-5 (they will lose to MSU and/or TSUN). Their FLOOR is 4-8. They are on the verge of not even getting bowl eligible.

They play 8 games - 8!!! - before their first bye week. @USC to open. After they play Lamar, they play two formidable texas teams (Rice and SMU). I don't know what Rice brings back but they were 10-3 last year (as we all know), so not an easy out. SMU went 5-7 but came on strong at the end (L @ CINN 28-25; W ^UCONN 38-21; W @USF 16-7; L @Houston 34-0; L ^UCF 17-13). I don't know their prognostication but I doubt they're a push over. Don't think that TAMU won't look ahead to that SEC schedule.

Then they hit a rough SEC stretch. They play a rivalry game in Dallas against UPigg (W @UPigg 45-33). After they play in StarkVegas, they're back at home against TSUN for a classic trap game before they play Bama. I believe that they could lose all these SEC games. One team after the other will expose their weaknesses.

For the last stretch they have a bye and waste it on ULM. Then they go to Jordan Hare. They should beat UMizz at home. LSU-TAMU is another rivalry game after the bye week, but LSU also has a bye to prepare for the game.

The SEC gave TAMU a light schedule last year. Now they're on the other end of the stick. They missed out on the feast and now the famine is gonna set it. SEC wins against UMizz and UPigg should be enough to get them bowl eligible.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Absolutely, and I think the talk about A&M taking a big drop off it more wishful thinking than anything else.

Sure they lost Manziel, but they have a good bit of talent on that team still, and Sumlin has a history of putting good teams and good offenses on the field.

I'm not saying I expect them to contend for the West, but I feel comfortable in saying they won't likely be dropping to last in the West.

I'd love it if they would, but I will believe it when I see it.

 

[coach66]

Sure losing Johnny Football gives me more hope but their defense from last year

was turrible and if they don't improve it substantially they will struggle.