Quickly after the TAMU game, folks put the Aggies in the rear view mirror. Folks mentioned TAMU being over hyped or any other possible negative description about a team that went from #6 in the nation to outside the top 25 in 3 weeks.
That was a mistake.
First, Kevin Sumlin isn't near the coach he appeared to be against Alabama. The game was a perfect storm for the end result.
TAMU came into Tuscaloosa after being punched in the mouth and gut by Arkansas. Then, Mississippi State took a Shop-Vac and sucked out every last ounce of emotion they had. Ole Miss began the dismantling, and Alabama finished it the following week. Folks forget, or never realized, TAMU came into Tuscaloosa after playing 7 straight weeks. Compare that to Alabama, who has needed a bye week after only 4 games.
Five players on the TAMU starting offense are in their first or second year of college; eight more players on the second team offense are in the same boat. The first and second team defense each have five players in their first or second year.
No matter how talented the young guys might be, they still have to adjust to college football - especially 8 straight weeks of it.
Second and most importantly, TAMU's remaining schedule is very favorable. They play La-Monroe this week after their bye week and play Auburn next week. They'll be able to either continue to rest guys this week or run the score up in order to gain confidence. After traveling to Auburn, they come home to play the mediocre offense known as Missouri before taking November 22 off in order to host LSU Thanksgiving night. In other words, TAMU has two bye weeks in a month's time.
Of TAMU's remaining four games, LSU is the only top 10 in points allowed at 15.9. Auburn and Mizzou both allow 20 points per game, and La-Monroe allows 27. TAMU averages 38 points per game. None of the four remaining opponents hold opposing offenses to less than 318 yards; A&M averages 516 yards per game.
The Aggies may be 5-3 right now, but they could very well end up 9-3 or 8-4 by the end of the season. The 59-0 annihilation will look even better when they are.
That was a mistake.
First, Kevin Sumlin isn't near the coach he appeared to be against Alabama. The game was a perfect storm for the end result.
TAMU came into Tuscaloosa after being punched in the mouth and gut by Arkansas. Then, Mississippi State took a Shop-Vac and sucked out every last ounce of emotion they had. Ole Miss began the dismantling, and Alabama finished it the following week. Folks forget, or never realized, TAMU came into Tuscaloosa after playing 7 straight weeks. Compare that to Alabama, who has needed a bye week after only 4 games.
Five players on the TAMU starting offense are in their first or second year of college; eight more players on the second team offense are in the same boat. The first and second team defense each have five players in their first or second year.
No matter how talented the young guys might be, they still have to adjust to college football - especially 8 straight weeks of it.
Second and most importantly, TAMU's remaining schedule is very favorable. They play La-Monroe this week after their bye week and play Auburn next week. They'll be able to either continue to rest guys this week or run the score up in order to gain confidence. After traveling to Auburn, they come home to play the mediocre offense known as Missouri before taking November 22 off in order to host LSU Thanksgiving night. In other words, TAMU has two bye weeks in a month's time.
Of TAMU's remaining four games, LSU is the only top 10 in points allowed at 15.9. Auburn and Mizzou both allow 20 points per game, and La-Monroe allows 27. TAMU averages 38 points per game. None of the four remaining opponents hold opposing offenses to less than 318 yards; A&M averages 516 yards per game.
The Aggies may be 5-3 right now, but they could very well end up 9-3 or 8-4 by the end of the season. The 59-0 annihilation will look even better when they are.
It's called the SEC West.
