SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by Hunter Jarvishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-12-20T07:30:09-06:00https://dallas.sbnation.com/authors/hunter-jarvis/rss2012-12-20T07:30:09-06:002012-12-20T07:30:09-06:00Texas A&M Basketball: Putting the past behind them
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VvcJwnEWWC9f86iXkMAhaeCxIU4=/0x10:4000x2677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5323133/20121201_tjg_at5_581.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In year two of the Billy Kennedy era, Texas A&M looks to rebound off a pitiful season. As conference play nears, what can the Aggie faithful expect?</p> <p>After a tumultuous first season and that ended with a 4 -14 record in the Big 12, the Aggies are looking to get back on track in their first season in the SEC. In the off-season, Billy Kennedy and his staff addressed serious personnel issues by signing six new players.</p>
<p>Headlining the group were two home-grown four-star guards in J-Mychal Reese from Bryan High and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176021/alex-caruso" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Caruso</a> from A&M Consolidated. Reese is the son of Aggie assistant <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175647/john-reese" class="sbn-auto-link">John Reese</a> and was rated as the #10 point guard in the country according to Rivals.com. Caruso also has ties to the program. Ranked as one of the best shooting guards in Texas, Alex is a former Aggie ballboy and his father Mike is the longtime Associate Athletic Director at A&M.</p>
<p>Kennedy was also able to lure former Missouri commit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176013/shawn-smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Shawn Smith</a> to Aggieland from Florida. The 6'3" guard chose the Ags over offers from Florida, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Kansas State among others. After a promising pre-season, Smith was declared ineligible due to issues with his high school transcripts. After appealing the ruling, He was deemed a "partial qualifier". That allows him to workout and practice with the team without playing. Smith will use this season to redshirt so that he does not lose a year of eligibility.</p>
<p>On top of the three high school seniors, the Aggies went out and got two very talented junior college players. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176017/fabyon-harris" class="sbn-auto-link">Fabyon Harris</a> is a point guard from College of Southern Idaho where he was a NJCAA First Team All-American. In the post, Coach Kennedy signed Andrew Young from Monterey Peninsula. The power forward was an all-state selection in the California Community College Athletic Association where he averaged 21.8 points and 14.2 rebounds.</p>
<p>The Aggies weren't done with big men. Florida State freshman, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145350/antwan-space" class="sbn-auto-link">Antwan Space</a>, transferred to Texas A&M to be closer to his young child. The 6'8" power forward from Desoto will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out this year due to NCAA transfer rules. The Ags also added late signee Tony Trocha in November. A Colombia native, the 6'10" four-star center finished high school in May and is waiting on a qualifying test score to become eligible. It is a possibility that you see him on the floor for the Maroon and White in the Spring.</p>
<p>Adding that many new faces to the roster has delayed consistency so far in the 2012-2013 season. The Ags are 8-2 after beating up on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday. Senior guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53719/elston-turner" class="sbn-auto-link">Elston Turner</a> leads the team with 16.1 points per game. The only other senior on the team, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99984/ray-turner" class="sbn-auto-link">Ray Turner</a> (no relation to Elston), is second on the team in points with 12.6 a game, as well as rebounds with 6.4 a game. Sophomore Kourtney Roberson is the Aggies' leading rebounder from his center position with 6.5 per game.</p>
<p>There are three more games until the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arkansas-razorbacks" class="sbn-auto-link">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> come to College Station on January 9th to open conference play. The Aggies were picked to finish ninth in the conference by the media, which seems fair. The schedule sets up nicely, minus Kentucky and Florida back-to-back. The Wildcats are on the schedule twice but the Ags lucked out with getting Missouri and the Gators only once.</p>
<p>Lets not sugar-coat this. This is not a tournament team. Realistically, this is a team that is capable of finishing as high as sixth in the conference, with a shot at making the NIT tournament. The two games against both LSU and Ole Miss, teams that both made the NIT last year, will be big in deciding if this team has any post season play in sight this year.</p>
<p>Although they won't be challenging for a title this year, there is no excuse for this program not taking a step in the right direction this year. The roster has been upgraded with an influx of new talent, the schedule is favorable, and the senior leadership is leading the way. In year two, the pressure will be on Billy Kennedy and his staff. If there are no significant signs of improvement, the question will have to be asked if he is the man for the job.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/12/20/3785740/texas-am-basketball-2012-previewHunter Jarvis2012-12-13T07:10:02-06:002012-12-13T07:10:02-06:00Texas A&M Recruiting Breakdown
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/amLlui8fEFwGg2pm39_KUobjnas=/0x252:2933x2207/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4889371/20120717_jla_al8_005.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelly Lambert</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Success on the field has followed on the trail for the Aggies, who look poised to sign a class that could help push them towards the top of SEC over the next few years. </p> <p>Texas A&M has long been thought of as a sleeping giant. Following a 10-2 record in their inaugural season in the SEC and a Heisman Trophy winner, I think it's safe to say the giant is awake and showing on the recruiting trail.</p>
<p>Kevin Sumlin and his staff have used the recent tidal wave of positive momentum and turned it into recruiting victories off the field. As of today, the Aggies have a monster class of 34 commitments and a team ranking of seventh according to 247Sports.com. The good news for Aggies is that they're not done yet.</p>
<p>At first glance over a commitment list, it's easy to wonder how Texas A&M can sign all of these prospects. Specifically designed for Houston Nutt when he was at Ole Miss, the SEC has a rule that each school may only sign a maximum of 25 players in a recruiting cycle (February to May each year). However, there are a few caveats in the fine print. If a school signs under the limit, they can roll those spots back to the next class as long as they are used on "early enrollees". Early enrollees are players that graduate in December and can enrollee in school in January. By enrolling in Spring classes, they are able to sign in before the recruiting cycle opens in February.</p>
<p>Texas A&M for example, signed 19 players in their 2012 recruiting class. Six under the limit and four of those signed were early enrollees that were counted back to the 2011 class. That gives the Aggies a total of 10 scholarships in this class that they can assign to the previous class (2012).</p>
<p>Out of the Aggies' 34 commitments, eight (8) are early enrollees. That puts the 2013 counter at 26, or one (1) over the 25 max. That means come signing day, one of the current commitments cannot sign with the Aggies. It is no secret that a couple prospects are at risk to not qualify academically. If their grades don't improve as signing day nears, it's a safe bet that they don't sign a Letter Of Intent with A&M. With the way this staff is still beating the streets for elite prospects, it's clear their main focus is to continue upgrading the talent on this roster and worry about the numbers later.</p>
<p>With only a few spots available, what holes still exist in this class?</p>
<p>The quarterback position has been locked up since April. Kevin Sumlin has a new version of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Manziel</a> in Southlake Carroll's Kenny Hill, who is dangerous through the air and on the ground. Then there is Aggie legacy and four-star Kohl Stewart. Kohl is a pro-style passer who is also an elite pitching prospect. He is a risk to forego college and enter the MLB draft.</p>
<p>The Aggies are one-and-done at running back in 2013 with Pearland Dawson's James White.</p>
<p>Wide-receiver is an embarrassment of riches for the Aggies in this class headlined by the highest rated player in Texas, Ricky Seals-Jones. The 6'5" athlete, and former Longhorn commit, is joined on the outside by another four-star in 6'7" Derrick Griffin.</p>
<p>The Aggie staff didn't stop there, they went to The Peach State and got a commitment from 6'4" JaQuay Williams. Williams was one of the top receivers in the country in 2012 but went to a prep school after failing to qualify. Sticking a little closer to home, they have 6'3" Kyrion Parker, a one-time LSU commit from Manvel and 6'3" Quincy Adeboyejo from Cedar Hill.</p>
<p>Notice a common theme between outside receivers? The Aggies also have two slot receivers with Adeboyejo's teammate LaQuivionte Gonzales and Jeremy Tabuyo from Hawaii. Athlete Cameron Echols-Luper from Auburn, Alabama is also likely to play receiver and believe it or not, they're still not finished. The Aggies remain a finalist for another four-star receiver in Tony Stevens from Florida.</p>
<p>One tight-end was taken in this class with 6'6" 270-pound <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138126/cameron-clear" class="sbn-auto-link">Cameron Clear</a>. Clear was one of the top TE prospects in the country coming out of high school and signed with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/tennessee-volunteers" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Volunteers</a>. He left the team after his freshman year and relocated at Arizona Western College. The juco transfer is an early enrollee and has two years of eligibility remaining.</p>
<p>The Aggies took four offensive lineman including a juco tackle in Jeremiah Stuckey who has three years of eligibility left. Dallas Jesuit's J.J. Gustafson will play tackle and Birdville's Joas Aguilar is a guard at the next level. Ishmael Wilson from Bishiop Dunne is the most highly regarded of the four and is versatile enough to play guard or tackle.</p>
<p>High school teammates Jay Arnold and Jordan Points from Rockwall Heath are the only two defensive ends in the class. Both will play on the strong-side but it's a possibility Points eventually slides inside to defensive tackle. Junior college weak-side end Za'Darius Smith is the only remaining target at the position. With the possible departure of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115467/demontre-moore" class="sbn-auto-link">Damontre Moore</a> to the NFL, he is arguably the most important.</p>
<p>Defensive tackle is another absolutely loaded position for the Aggies with four (4) four-star players committed. Oklahoma legacy <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Manning</a> chose the Ags over the Sooners last Friday and he joins Carthage's Isaiah Golden, Westfield's Hardreck Walker, and Dallas Skyline's Kerrick Huggins.</p>
<p>Linebacker is also loaded with talent. Early enrollee Reggie Chevis from Sharpstown is a middle linebacker all the way. Kennedale's Brett Wade and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77581/edward-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Edward Williams</a> from New Orleans, Louisiana can play both Mike or Will 'backer. Another Louisiana product in Darian Claiborne and juco transfer Kenny Flowers can both play Will or Sam linebacker. While athlete Shaan Washington from Alexandria, Louisiana can play Sam if he's not a safety. Kevin Sumlin and Co. are not done here either. Another Hawaii native in Isaac Savaiinaea is the top linebacker still on their board and they are also pursuing Oklahoma commit Jordan Mastrogiovanni, Ohio State lean, Mike Mitchell and Tommy Sanders from Butler Community College. In my opinion, the Ags would like to add one, possibly two, more of these guys.</p>
<p>The final Louisiana commitment, Noel Ellis, headlines the cornerback class. He joins Manvel's Tavares Gardner and athlete Alex Sezer will likely end up here. The Aggies continue to recruit another Florida native, MacKensie Alexander, who is a top-3 corner in the country.</p>
<p>The safety class is led by former Tennessee commit and four-star, Kameron Miles. Rosenberg Terry's Victor Davis and Alief Taylor's Jonathan Wiggins are also committed at the position.</p>
<p>This huge class is big, not only from a numbers standpoint, but a talent perspective as well. With this class, Kevin Sumlin is building the necessary depth to not only compete in the SEC, but to play for crystal footballs. The 2013 recruiting class may go down as one of the better ones in Texas A&M history. Yeah, I'd definitely say the giant is finally awake.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-am/2012/12/13/3760756/texas-am-recruiting-2013-analysisHunter Jarvis2012-12-06T07:10:07-06:002012-12-06T07:10:07-06:00Familiar foes in the Cotton Bowl
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f-Y0gBujtebuFYCOc9pr2eKjPBY=/98x0:3900x2535/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4505027/156910369.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>That didn't take long. One year after leaving the Big 12, the Aggies are playing the Sooners again. This time it's in Dallas and will be one of the best matchups of the bowl season. </p> <p>There's no question the Cotton Bowl committee got their dream selection.</p>
<p>This has been a season of firsts for Texas A&M. And in that spirit, there seemed to be a little bit of a let down from the fans when the pairings were announced and a familiar foe, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma Sooners</a>, was chosen. The possibility of playing a marquee team in a new bowl such as the Capital One Bowl seemed to be the preferred choice over a game they've played numerous times.</p>
<p>I disagree. What better what better way to end this special season? With a win, the Aggies would put a stamp on their transition from the Big 12 by beating their former conference's co-champion and a national power. A team that went 11-5 over you as a conference opponent no less?</p>
<p>While it can be argued that nothing could have been bigger than a Longhorn/Aggie bowl game, there is a good chance the actual game would have been quite the disappointment. Especially for those wearing burnt orange. This matchup however, between two of the top eleven teams, places a team snubbed by the BCS, against a team that knocked off #1 Alabama on the road. With these two prolific offenses, the Cotton Bowl is arguably the second most anticipated bowl game of the season.</p>
<p>In a game that features plenty of subplots such as Kevin Sumlin facing his old mentor Bob Stoops, and the Aggies getting a chance a redemption from a team that has dominated them over the last decade, the game itself is sure to be an exciting. Offensively, these teams are built perfectly to attack the other's weaknesses on defense and points should not be hard to come by.</p>
<p>The Sooners, led by senior quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Landry Jones</a>, come into the game with a 10-2 record. Their only loses on the season came at home to the current #1 and #5 teams in the country. Their offense is of typical Big 12 fashion and slings the ball all over the yard. Jones has thrown for 3,989 yards with 29 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Sooners are blessed with one of the deepest wide receiver corps in the country. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115314/kenny-stills" class="sbn-auto-link">Kenny Stills</a> and Justin Brown each have over 800 receiving yards on the season and Sterling Sheppard has 41 catches for 578 yards.</p>
<p>Their most dangerous weapon out wide is Fresno State transfer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116708/jalen-saunders" class="sbn-auto-link">Jalen Saunders</a>, who missed the first four games of the season waiting to be cleared by the NCAA. In only eight games, he ranks third on the team in receptions (53) and receiving yards (766).</p>
<p>However, Saunders status for the Cotton Bowl is uncertain at this time. Earlier this week, he and a teammate were arrested for possession of marijuana. If he is indeed suspended for the game, it will be a huge positive for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10574/mark-snyder" class="sbn-auto-link">Mark Snyder</a> and the Aggie's 95th ranked pass defense in yards per game.</p>
<p>Oklahoma's rushing attack averages 165 yards a game behind <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134387/damien-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Damien Williams</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115324/brennan-clay" class="sbn-auto-link">Brennan Clay</a>. Backup quarterback and short yardage expert <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115318/blake-bell" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bell</a> has added 11 touchdowns with he legs. The Aggie defensive has had success against stopping the run all year against some of the prominent rushing teams in the SEC. Led by senior linebackers <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77443/sean-porter" class="sbn-auto-link">Sean Porter</a>, Jonathan Stewart, and first-team all-conference defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115467/demontre-moore" class="sbn-auto-link">Demontre Moore</a>, the Ags are going to have to be able to stop the run with only six guys in the box and a nickel back dropping into coverage.</p>
<p>Texas A&M is also 10-2 with both losses coming against top-10 teams. Their explosive offense will bring a lot more balance into this contest, behind Heisman Trophy front-runner and SEC offensive player of the year <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Manziel</a>. Johnny Football's 1,342 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the season led a rushing attack that averaged 235 yards a game. This should be a big cause for concern with an Oklahoma run defense that ranks 86th in the country by giving up 192 yards per game.</p>
<p>Manziel is also dangerous through the air, completing 68.2% of his throws for 3,419 yards and 29 scores. Receiving leaders Mike Evans and senior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77450/ryan-swope" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Swope</a> will go up against an experienced and talented Sooner secondary that ranks 21st in passing yards given up per game. Just like the Aggies, the Sooners are going to have to stop the run and get their playmakers involved by making the Aggies throw the ball.</p>
<p>In what is sure to be one of the most watched/exciting bowl games, the Aggies have the chance to exorcise one more demon from their days in the Big 12 Conference. A victory over the Sooners would be another piece in the foundation of what Kevin Sumlin is building in Aggieland.</p>
<p>Familiar foes will meet on January 4th, but this time, there's more on the line.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/12/6/3733836/cotton-bowl-2013-previewHunter Jarvis2012-11-29T05:00:15-06:002012-11-29T05:00:15-06:00A Sensational Season for Aggie Seniors
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PD5Qt_WGyjhuhUaGC9xJ1ynnQew=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4089451/20120929_ajw_ad1_164.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Texas A&M finished the regular season with a 59-29 throttling of the Missouri Tigers. The Aggies kicked the doors down in their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference. Even with the legendary Johnny Football, none of it would have been possible without this talented senior class.</p> <p>With the regular season over, the 10-2 Aggies finally have time to sit back and reflect on their impressive season. Going into Championship Weekend, it appears Kevin Sumlin's ball club will likely play in one of two bowl games. The Capital One Bowl on New Years Day against a B1G team or the AT&T Cotton Bowl versus a former Big 12 foe.</p>
<p>Although they are lead by Heisman frontrunner Johnny Manziel, this spectacular season would not have been possible without the seniors buying into Coach Sumlin and his staff. In fact, Sumlin has gone out his way to mention his senior's leadership on and off the field. In his weekly press conference last week, Sumlin stressed how valuable they have been.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>" If you look at what has transpired this year, with a new coaching staff coming in, new philosophies on offense and defense, special teams, a new quarterback, the first game cancelled by a hurricane then playing eleven straight weeks... the way they've played has been nothing short of amazing,"</p>
<p>"From my standpoint, you can't do that without senior leadership. You're only with them so much as a coach. It's in the locker room that guys need to be held accountable. They've been critical to our success."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Although the two future first-round bookend tackles get all the publicity, it's Patrick Lewis who leads the best offensive line unit in the country. The four year starter struggled in the off-season and the first part of the year adjusting to the tempo of the offense. As he began to get a grasp on it, the offense took off. Something Sumlin is quick to point out.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It starts with him every time. From a tempo standpoint, if he's slow to the ball, our tempo is slow. We can't do anything until he gets to the ball. He's done a great job. He is the only senior on that front and he's been a leader for us the whole time."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A guy who has played a large roll down the stretch, is Christine Michael. After starting the season in the head coach's doghouse, and even being suspended for a game, Michael changed his attitude and bought in to his role on this team. The bruising tailback has a dozen touchdowns this season including two tough runs in the first quarter of the Alabama game. Whenever the offense has needed to pound the ball or gain a tough couple of yards, they have leaned on Michael.</p>
<p>Another senior who started this season off slow but returned to form is Ryan Swope. The Aggies all-time leader in receptions has 809 yards on the season and leads the team with seven touchdown receptions. He will be remembered in Aggie lore for the go-ahead score against Ole Miss and a couple of huge receptions in the upset of #1 Alabama.</p>
<p>Second on the touchdown reception list is another senior, Uzoma Nwachukwu with six. Another four-year starter, "EZ" is third on the team with 404 yards receiving, including an 89-yard score against Sam Houston State.</p>
<p>It is no surprise that this high-powered offense, lead by a Heisman finalist, grabbed all the headlines. However, the Aggie defense has made their fair share of big plays all year. Lead by seniors at each level, this defense has allowed an average of only half as many points per game than the Aggie offense scores. More impressively, they have also held opposing offenses to a 30.53% conversion rate on third down.</p>
<p>The defense is lead up front by wild man Spencer Nealy. Spencer spent most of his career as a defensive end in Tim Deruyter's 3-4 scheme and even spent a spring camp as a tight end. When new Aggie defensive coordinator Mark Snyder arrived, Nealy slid down to a defensive tackle. Undersized at 277-pounds, Spencer relied on his quickness and non-stop motor to disrupt offenses. Starting at the 3-technique most of the season, he slid to nose tackle for the match-up versus Alabama. Nealy played the game of his career and whipped Alabama's All-American center Barrett Jones, all night.</p>
<p>The heart of this defense are the two senior linebackers, Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart. Stewart, a Shreveport, Louisiana native and middle linebacker is second on the team in total tackles with 72, including 2.5 sacks. At 6'4" 240-pounds, he's been exactly what was needed to man the middle in Snyder's defense. He helped save the season with a crucial fourth-and-one stop against Ole Miss running back Jeff Scott that gave the Ags the ball back for their game winning drive.</p>
<p>Coming into the season, it was a concern that Sean Porter could adapt to the more traditional linebacker role he'd play in the 3-4. He silenced all doubts and blossomed into the Aggies' most well-rounded linebacker. From his outside 'backer position, Porter has 60 tackles on the year and 2.5 sack to go with a forced and recovered fumble. He also picked off AJ MaCarron for the then-Heisman candidate's first INT of the season.</p>
<p>Free safety Steven Terrell has been a main-stay in an often-shuffled defensive backfield. He has 58 tackles this year and leads the Aggie defense in take-aways with two interceptions as well as two forced fumbles. It was Terrell who put the big hit on Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon and forced the ball loose when the Tide were driving to potentially take the lead, late in the second half.</p>
<p>Conerback/punt returner Dustin Harris started the season off with a bang when he set an A&M and SEC record against South Carolina State with eight punt returns for 246 yards, including a 96-yard touchdown. As a cornerback, Harris steadily improved as the season went on, eventually locking down a starting spot. He leads the secondary with ten pass breakups and has 39 tackles on the year. He is also the one who recovered Yeldon's fumble forced by Terrell.</p>
<p>Kevin Sumlin bucked a trend set by his predecessors as a first-year A&M coach to push away the senior class and it has paid dividends for him. A microcosm of this special season can be seen in one of the biggest wins in program history. It was not only a Heisman front-runner quarterback that rolled the Tide. It was this group of seniors playing great football and rising up to make a play when the Ags had to have one. When a coach that they didn't sign up to play for gave them a chance, they repaid him with one of the greatest stories in Aggie history. And it's not over yet.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/11/29/3704294/texas-a-m-review-a-sensational-season-for-the-seniorsHunter Jarvis2012-11-23T08:00:39-06:002012-11-23T08:00:39-06:00Texas A&M vs. Missouri: The last road block
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wbRLqW9s3mmC23jmO8CwH62N1_k=/0x245:3191x2372/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3712779/156000666.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Zarrilli</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Johnny Football has a chance at a Heisman Trophy and the Aggies could get into a BCS bowl game, but they'll need to defeat an old foe first. </p> <p>Back in July, at SEC media days, the common opinion seemed to be that Texas A&M would struggle mightily in their first year while Missouri was given a chance to compete for their division title. The Aggies were breaking in a completely new coaching staff and being led by an unknown, redshirt freshman quarterback. The Tigers were changing very little. Coach Gary Pinkel was bringing a successful Big 12 program and returned a talented quarterback in James Franklin. It seemed an easy choice as to who, if any, would make waves in their first season in the Southeastern Conference.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As things turned out, it has Texas A&M setting their new league on fire in year one. Barring another shocking weekend of upsets, the Aggies will miss out on the conference championship game. However, there is still an outside chance to make a BCS bowl game. Head coach Kevin Sumlin has his team on the verge of their first ten win season since taking home the Big 12 title in 1998.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leading the charge, and what no one could have predicted back in July, is Johnny Manziel. Johnny Football continues to assault SEC defenses as well as the record book. He has broken the record for total yards in a game twice this season and is 166 yards from breaking Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton’s 2010 record for total offense. Manziel is the first freshman, and fifth player ever, to have 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 yards rushing in a season. For his accomplishments, he has been named a finalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award as well as the Maxwell Award. Manziel is also arguably the front runner for the school’s first Heisman Trophy since John David Crow won it in 1957.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Missouri, on the other hand, has been the newcomer to struggle this year. The Tigers have won only two conference games, both against winless teams in conference play -- Kentucky and a four OT victory over Tennessee.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the line for the 5-6 Tigers this week in College Station will be bowl eligibility. A loss will end a very impressive streak for Pinkel's ball club:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"We've been to eight bowls in nine years. Seven years in a row we've gone to a bowl, so this has been tough for everybody but our kids keep battling and fighting."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">Despite their struggles this season, the Aggies won’t take the Tigers lightly. It's not just a BCS bowl game and a Heisman Trophy on the line; this entire A&M team should have a little payback on the mind. Missouri has beaten the Aggies the past two years on Kyle Field, including overcoming a double-digit deficit in the second half that Aggie fans grew accustomed to last year. When asked if he was worried about his team overlooking this week’s game, Kevin Sumlin answer was painfully easy:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">“No. We’re playing a team that no one on this football team has ever beaten.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">A large part of the Tigers struggles this year has been due to Franklin battling injuries. He remains questionable for Saturday. Sumlin, though, knows that the Tigers are still dangerous:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">“They’re a team, with James Franklin being in and out of the lineup, which has hurt them a little bit from a continuity standpoint, but they’re talented. They have got big guys on the outside. They always have excellent receivers.” Sumlin went on to say, “They lead the league in kick-off return and punt return. They have an excellent return game.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">Standing in the way of the most memorable season in recent history is one final hurdle from an old conference foe that has brought plenty of misery to the Aggie faithful recently. With a win, the Aggies will be headed to a prestigious bowl game, possibly the second BCS game in school history, as one of the top teams in the country’s premier conference. A second Heisman Trophy should also be on its way to College Station, along with several other individual accolades for numerous members of this team and coaching staff. <a name="_GoBack"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Could you think of a better ending to such a spectacular story?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well maybe beating that hated in-state rival, but that’s not out of the realm of possibility at this point either. That is however, another story for another day.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/11/23/3677986/texas-am-vs-missouri-2012-previewHunter Jarvis2012-11-08T07:00:27-06:002012-11-08T07:00:27-06:00Texas A&M vs. Alabama: The Gold Standard
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/W8HyVOtwz9hDFg2MBU9f2yBbYyc=/4x0:3995x2661/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2853851/155363778.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stacy Revere</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This week, the surprising 7-2 Aggies get a true test of how good they really are when they travel to Tuscaloosa to play the best team in the country. </p> <p>If Texas A&M ever intends on winning a conference title, all roads to the SEC Championship Game go through Tuscaloosa. In his sixth year as head coach of the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban has brought his program to the pinnacle of college football. His coaching record at the University of Alabama is an astounding 64-12, with half of those losses coming in his very first year in Tuscaloosa.</p>
<p>Saban has won two National Championships (2009,2011) while at Alabama and is currently undefeated in 2012 and ranked #1 in the country. If the Tide are able to win back-to-back titles this year, this current run of success will rank with the best in college football history.</p>
<p>Recruiting is crucial to sustaining a high level of success. According to Rivals.com, Saban’s "worst" recruiting class was his first at Alabama and that class finished 10th in the country. The level of continued dominance he has established on the recruiting trail is really quite remarkable. In the past six recruiting cycles, Alabama has had the number one class in the country four times. The aforementioned tenth ranked class in 2007 and a fifth place finish in 2010 were the outliers. Their 2013 class is also currently ranked fifth.</p>
<p>And while Texas A&M has been a mainstay in the Top 25 recruiting classes, they have never broken into the Top 10. With Alabama blocking the way to Atlanta, that is going to have to change. With the early success on the field this year and brand differentiation from their in-state rivals for the first time in school history, there should be no excuses. Kevin Sumlin is off to a hot start and already using the momentum to his advantage.</p>
<p>The 2013 Aggie recruiting class is currently ranked 10th according to Rivals.com, but they aren’t finished yet. There are numerous undecided blue-chip recruits that are showing a high interest in the school. If the cards fall right, this could end up the highest rated recruiting class to come through Aggieland in a long time. To get to Atlanta, they’ll need it, and more to follow.</p>
<p>On Saturday, two polar opposite philosophies will square off. The Aggies will bring into Bryant-Denny Stadium the number six scoring offense in the country (41.5 points per game). Johnny Manziel and Co. will take on the country’s number one defense that is only giving up 228.9 yards a game.</p>
<p>In his weekly press conference, Saban was very complimentary of Johnny Manziel. When asked who he would use in practice to prepare for him, he replied they didn’t have anybody like him and if they did, "he’d be playing." High praise for a redshirt freshman coming from the coach of the best team in the country.</p>
<p>On top of the mobile Johnny Football, Alabama’s defense will have to prepare for another hurry-up, spread offense. Saban made his dislike of up-tempo offenses known after the Tide’s win over Ole Miss a couple of weeks back. He argued that the tempo increases the risk of injury to players and created an advantage for opposing offenses due to lack of substitutions:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I just think there’s got to be some fairness in terms of asking, is this what we want football to be?"</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bad news Coach Saban, Texas A&M ran 97 plays last week against a Mississippi State defense that was supposed to be pretty good.</p>
<p>Aggie offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury knows that he doesn’t have an easy task in front of him either:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Obviously they (Alabama) are the gold standard of college football and have been that way pretty much since (Saban) got there. We’re all chasing Alabama."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When asked what makes this Tide so difficult to move the ball on, Kingsbury’s answer was easy.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>"Everything. Great Players. What’s remarkable is they lose basically an entire NFL team last year, come back and they are the number one scoring defense."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The entire country will be eagerly watching how well this offense can play against another elite defense. After struggling against top-tier defenses in the second halves against LSU and Florida, Johnny Football gets a shot at redemption.</p>
<p>Under Kevin Sumlin, it will always be the Aggie offense that sets the ceiling for this team. This week is no different. All eyes will be on a redshirt freshman, and the progress he has made ten games into his career. This week, win or lose, the Aggies get their chance to see exactly how far away the top of the SEC West is.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/11/8/3611030/texas-am-alabama-2012-previewHunter Jarvis2012-11-01T08:00:25-05:002012-11-01T08:00:25-05:00Texas A&M vs. Miss State: Snow Bowl minus the snow
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/biGtzzp6LJdnMpb4PDkmpTHPlj0=/0x95:4000x2762/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2404593/154443840.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In their first meeting in over a decade, the two opponents from the infamous "Snow Bowl" meet as division rivals. On the line is a first signature conference win, jump start on third place in the division, as well as a higher seeding for bowl selection. </p> <p>The last time these two teams met was in the 2000 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. A freak snow storm blew into town, blanketing the field throughout the game. Former Aggie head coach Jackie Sherrill lead his Bulldogs to a come-from-behind, over-time victory over the Aggies 43-41. To commemorate that game, Mississippi State is calling this year's match up "Snow Bowl 2012". They have special <a target="_blank" href="http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/node/11409">all-white uniforms</a> to wear and have even painted their end zones with the <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/mississippi-state-added-hashtag-snowbowl12-field-224308008--ncaaf.html#more-21731">Twitter hashtag #SnowBowl12</a>. For the record, the high for Saturday is 81 degrees.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">These two head coaches are a little more familiar with each other. While at the University of Houston, Kevin Sumlin took on Dan Mullen's Bulldogs in 2009 and 2010. But don't expect the recent history to give the Aggies a schematic advantage.</p>
<p>"They're (Mississippi State) a different offense, I think. Tyler Russell has really made a difference. He gives them the ability to throw down the field, 2-3 years ago, I don't know if that was the case," said Sumlin. "I don't know how much our playing them a couple, three years ago plays into this game. Except for the fact that half of the staff have been to the hotel we're staying at."</p>
<p>The junior quarterback has been impressive this year, throwing for 1,742 yards with fifteen touchdowns and only two interceptions.</p>
<p>After becoming bowl eligible last week, the Aggies look to continue their flawless road record and get their first victory against a ranked SEC team. Sumlin's squad has played two top 10 teams down the wire already this season, but both of the losses were at Kyle Field. This will be Texas A&M's biggest road test of the season thus far.</p>
<p>"This is our biggest game of the season." Bulldog head coach Dan Mullen said. "One thing we have always stressed is, to put yourself in a position to win championships, you have to win all your home games. Especially in this conference, with how hard it is to win on the road."</p>
<p>Mississippi State enters this weekend ranked 15th in the BCS and tied for second in the SEC West standings. Texas A&M, on the other hand, is one spot behind the Bulldogs in both the BCS and the division standings. The Bulldogs fell from the list of the unbeatens last week when they were easily beaten by the best team in the country 38-7.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide held the Bulldog offense to 256 total yards, including only 47 on the ground, exactly 100 yards less than their previous low against South Alabama. Nick Saban's defense had success stopping the dangerous Bulldog offense by limiting the man who makes this offense go. 5'10" 190-pound tailback LaDarius Perkins is the SEC's number two leading rushing behind Johnny Manziel with 762 yards with eight touchdowns. If the Aggies are able to contain him, they will be pretty successful on the night.</p>
<p>That's not to say Russell doesn't have playmakers on the outside. Two receivers have accounted for eleven of Russell's fifteen scores through the air. Senior wideout Chad Bumphis is the teams leading receiver with 30 receptions for 486 yards and six touchdowns, while TE Marcus Green is a lethal redzone threat with his five scores on only seventeen receptions.</p>
<p>As in every game this season, the Aggie defense will keep them in the game. The victor will be determined by how well the #26 defense in the country can slow down the #4 offense. While Johnny Manziel is declaring war on the stat sheet, this offense is not above mistakes. Turnovers have plagued this team in recent weeks. In the three games prior to Auburn, the Aggies turned the ball over ten times. The Bulldogs happen to have the two league leaders in interceptions in the same secondary. Cornerbacks Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay each have four picks on the season with Slay taking one back to the house. Sumlin knows exactly what his young quarterback is facing.</p>
<p>"Not only is it a good secondary but it's an experienced secondary. You've got three seniors, a junior and an All-American in Banks," Sumlin added. "When you have cover guys like they do, particularly on the corner, it allows them to be very, very multiple in their attack."</p>
<p>It is worth noting that in their three SEC wins, Mississippi State's opponents are still winless in conference. Auburn, Kentucky, and Tennessee are the three worst teams in the SEC with a combined record of 0-17. This will be the toughest team State will have played at home and the toughest road game for the Aggies. It's an exciting matchup on both sides of the ball that will play a key role in not only the division standings, but the bowl selection process. Snow or no snow.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/11/1/3578074/texas-am-vs-mississippi-state-football-2012-previewHunter Jarvis2012-10-25T07:00:37-05:002012-10-25T07:00:37-05:00War Damn Error: Too Late for Chizik?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mEjs4IsP4oL69qOOFqeJu1gTAM4=/0x80:2728x1899/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/1960661/20120908_kdl_ad8_317.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Auburn, only two years after a national title, was supposed to be one of the Texas A&M's biggest rivals in the SEC West. Instead, a loss to the Aggies on Saturday may seal their embattled head coach's fate.</p> <p>After beating the Virginia Cavaliers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl to finish at 8-5, 2012 was supposed to be a year of improvement for Gene Chizik's club. Two new coordinators were brought in (Scott Loeffler on offense and Brian VanGorder on defense) and the Tigers were picked right outside of the top 25 in the AP Poll this preseason.</p>
<p>The first third of the schedule was tough. Auburn lost to Clemson in the Georgia Dome and then dropped a road game at Mississippi State. Their home opener, against UL-Monroe, was supposed to be a walkover, but the WarHawks shocked the college football world with an upset of Arkansas and fought to the very last second against the Tigers. The next week, in a traditional, defense-rules-the-day SEC contest, the Bayou Bengals escaped The Plains with a 12-10 victory.</p>
<p>A 1-3 record had fans grumbling, but all three losses came against ranked opponents. Looking at the schedule, the next month seemed very favorable and presented an opportunity to get the season back on track. The disastrous 1-4 Razorbacks were next, fresh off a humiliating 58-10 loss in College Station. But instead of bouncing back, Auburn plunged off the deep end with an embarrassing 24-7 loss to John L. Smith.</p>
<p>Next was a road trip to beautiful Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss and their sixteen SEC conference game losing streak. Surely they would beat the Rebels right? Nope. Auburn was blown out 41-20.</p>
<p>And with their tails firmly tucked under their legs, the Tigers headed to Nashville last week against a usual SEC doormat, 2-4 Vanderbilt. Their 17-13 loss to the Commodoes moved the Tigers to 1-6 on the year and the bottom of the SEC West.</p>
<p>It's difficult to imagine, but only two years after winning a national championship, Gene Chizik is on the hottest seat in the country (John L. Smith excluded because it's common knowledge he's done). Let's look at the remainder of the schedule to see if there is any way he survives this season:</p>
<p><i>10/27/12 Texas A&M</i></p>
<p>This Saturday one of the top offenses in the country, led by freshman phenom Johnny Manziel, makes the trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Aggies are coming off a tough loss at home to LSU; a highly emotional and physical game. Does Kevin Sumlin's ball club have a let down this week and come out flat? With a top 25 match up against Mississippi State set next week, do the Aggies take this Auburn team for granted and get caught looking ahead? All valid concerns for Aggie fans.</p>
<p>Not to mention the recent turnover issues that have reared their ugly head. Statistically, these two defenses are pretty similar. Offensively however, they couldn't be further apart. The Aggies are the SEC's best offensive unit, while Auburn is the league's worst. If Texas A&M is able to protect the football, it's going to be tough for the Tigers to get their second win of the season this week.</p>
<p><i>11/03/2012 New Mexico State</i></p>
<p>Next week, Auburn hosts their second consecutive group of Aggies. This time it's the struggling New Mexico State variety. These Aggies, from the WAC, have also only won one game thus far; a blowout of Sacramento State in the first game of the year. This game should double Auburn's total wins for the season at two.</p>
<p><i>11/10/2012 Georgia</i></p>
<p>When the Bulldogs come to town they will either be leading the Eastern division race, or completely out of it. Regardless, the defending SEC East champs are a very good football team. To have a chance in this game, Auburn will have to miraculously find an offense against one of the top defenses in the league.</p>
<p><i>11/17/2012 Alabama A&M</i></p>
<p>The Bulldogs from Huntsville, AL are division leaders in the Southwestern Athletic Conference behind a 6-1 record and a stingy defense. While the upset from the small in-state rival isn't out of the question, Auburn should win this game.</p>
<p><i>11/24/2012 @ Alabama</i></p>
<p>The Iron Bowl. One of, if not the, biggest rivalry game in all of college football. As in any rivalry, nothing is for certain and anything can happen. That includes a 3-4 win team knocking off the best team in the country. With that said, even former Auburn head coach Pat Dye said on national radio this week that this Alabama team might be the best college football team he's ever seen.</p>
<p>To become bowl eligible, Chizik will have to go unbeaten through the final stretch of the season. In that scenario, with an Iron Bowl victory likely knocking Alabama out of the national title game, his job would be safe for at least one more year. Anything less and he is joining so many of his fellow Americans in the unemployment line.</p>
<p>As with any hot seat, names are already beginning to be rumored as Auburn's 26th head football coach. The most notable name is Bobby Petrino. If you remember, Petrino was almost hired at Auburn while he was the head coach at Louisville. The only problem was word of it leaked to the press before Auburn had fired Tommy Tuberville. It became quite an embarrassing scandal for the program.</p>
<p>The usual suspects such as Alabama DC Kirby Smart, Louisville head coach Charlie Strong and Arkansas State head coach Gus Malzahn also make the list. While Petrino will be back in the SEC in no time, I just don't see it being at Auburn next year. For my money, Strong is easily the best choice. With his SEC ties, known recruiting prowess already successful stint as a head coach, it's a no brainer in my opinion.</p>
<p>It's crucial for whoever is on the Auburn sideline next year to get this proud program headed in the right direction quick. In this league, three or four win seasons can put you at the kiddie table for a long time. It doesn't help when your arch rival keeps hoisting crystal footballs in January either.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/10/25/3545042/auburn-texas-am-gene-chizik-hot-seatHunter Jarvis2012-10-19T08:30:02-05:002012-10-19T08:30:02-05:00Texas A&M vs. LSU: Reviving a rivalry
<figure>
<img alt="The last time these teams faced off was in the 2011 Cotton Bowl" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/V9M-b4kcMTRyHwThIun9wX7KF2c=/0x0:599x399/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/1625351/gyi0062971684.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The last time these teams faced off was in the 2011 Cotton Bowl | Chris Graythen</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Two schools that have battled over recruits from East Texas and Louisiana for years will meet on Saturday in a game that could become one of the marquee match-ups in the new-look SEC West.</p> <p>Despite not meeting on the field often, Texas A&M and LSU have battled on the recruiting trail for years. Each school’s recruiting classes consists primarily of home-grown talent, but every year, a handful of recruits are cherry-picked from the other’s back yard.</p>
<p>Looking at the current rosters, LSU has a dozen players from the Lone Star State. Most notable are one time Aggie commit S <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78703/craig-loston">Craig Loston</a> and true freshmen starting CB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158675/jalen-mills">Jalen Mills</a>. The Aggies also lost a legacy commitment to the Tigers last year when safety Corey Thompson switched the week before signing day. Conversely, there are ten "Louisianimals" suiting up for the Maroon and White, including center <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77460/patrick-lewis">Patrick Lewis</a>, middle linebacker Jonathon Stewart, defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158394/julien-obioha">Julien Obioha</a>, and defensive back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143562/deshazor-everett">Deshazor Everett</a>.</p>
<p>Becoming division foes should only intensify the battle over prized recruits. This year the Ags and Bayou Bengals are the two finalists for the best player in Texas for 2013, ATH Ricky Seals-Jones from Sealy, TX. Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin isn’t showing any signs of backing down either. He has received four verbal commitments in his 2013 class from the Pelican State, all on the defensive side of the ball.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The recruiting competition, along with the lack of an existing conference rival for either school, will be enough to turn this into a game marked on each fan bases’ calendar every year. To add to the excitement, rumors have been circulating that the SEC wants to give this game more national attention by replacing LSU’s existing game with Arkansas on Thanksgiving weekend. We know the Aggies are free that week after University of Texas athletic director Deloss Dodds took his ball and went home, refusing to play the Ags once they left the Big 12.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">LSU is coming off a hard fought, emotional win over the then-number three team in the country, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks">South Carolina Gamecocks</a> last week. Also, reports are that the Tigers are opting to stay in Houston Friday night, requiring a wake-up call around 5 AM to get ready and make the 90 mile trip north.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Aggies come into this top 20 matchup with a 5-1 record after narrowly escaping in Oxford and Shreveport the past two weeks. Johnny Football Manziel has played himself into the Heisman race after already breaking the SEC record for total offense twice this year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the season, he is averaging 280 yards per game while throwing 14 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Impressive as that is, especially for a redshirt freshman, JFF also leads the SEC in rushing yardage with 676. He is also tied with South Carolina running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116171/marcus-lattimore">Marcus Lattimore</a> for the SEC lead with 10 rushing touchdowns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All eyes will be on how much success Manziel can have against a fast and very physical LSU defense led by defensive end Mike Montgomery. After being shut out in the second half against a very good Florida defense, there is worry that the blue print was laid on how to stop Johnny Football.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, it was only his first collegiate start, so there should be optimism for how well he has progressed, especially as a passer, and how much more the playbook will be open for him. The most intriguing matchup may be between two future NFL offensive lineman, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115454/luke-joeckel">Luke Joeckel</a> and Jake Mathews, and two future NFL defensive ends, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78718/barkevious-mingo">Barkevious Mingo</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78735/sam-montgomery">Sam Montgomery</a>. The Aggies will need to have some success early throwing the football to help open the run up as the game goes on. It is absolutely crucial that they protect the football and drastically cut down on the 19 penalties that plagued them last week.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">LSU, on the other hand, has struggled this year offensively. That is until freshman Jeremy Hill burst onto the scene last week with 17 carries for 124 yards and 2 scores against the Gamecocks. Junior college transfer Zach Mettenberger has struggled to find a rhythm and has only thrown 6 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. The key for the Aggie defense will be stopping all four of the Tigers’ talented running backs. Texas A&M's defense must win the line of scrimmage on first and second down, forcing Mettenberger to throw the ball.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rivalry games are what make college football great. These programs have the rabid fan bases, the history, and the talent to eventually become one of the premier rivalries in the western division of the Southeastern Conference. Let’s get it started.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/10/19/3523648/texas-am-vs-lsu-2012-football-previewHunter Jarvis