Texas A&M missed out on the opportunity to contend for the Big 12 title last season after welcoming back 18 starters from a roster that finished with 9 wins in 2010. They completed the regular season 6-6 (4-5 in the conference), but could possibly have easily finished 11-1. Five of their six losses were by seven points or less, including a couple in OT. A&M would beat Northwestern 33-22 in the Car Care of Texas Bowl to end up 7-6 overall.
Despite the fact that the Aggies return a ton of talent in 2012, this year figures to be filled with growing pains. Texas A&M will play their first year in theloaded SEC West. What makes matters worse for the Aggies is the departure of their coach Mike Sherman, as he left to become the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Kevin Sumlin takes over the job and brings with him Kliff Kingsburry as the offensive coordinator and Mark Snyder as the defensive coach.
Offense
The Aggies will have a difficult job trying to replace one of the country's best signal callers in Ryan Tannehill, as he was selected in the opening round of the NFL Draft. Sumlin did a masterful job of working with QBs in Houston, and he will have a number of players he can use in 2012. Red-shirt freshman Johnny Manziel is the top option, but Matt Davis and Matt Joecklel can still sneak in and earn the starting spot.
Texas A&M will also need to replace two of the school's best playmakers in RB Cyrus Gray and wide receiver Jeff Fuller. Gray is third all-time in rushing yards with 3,298 and Fuller is the school's all-time leading pass catcher with 3,092 yards.
Christine Michael will be counted on to replace the numbers the team lost when Gray left for the NFL. The senior back has rushed for 1,530 yards and 12 TDs over the last two years, but he has had health issues missing a grand total of 11 matchups. They also brought in well respected freshman Trey Williams, who has that rare combination of power and speed.
The team will not miss Fuller as much as fans assume. As a matter of fact, Ryan Swope will likely move passed Fuller as the Aggie's all-time leading pass catcher (needs just 889 yards). They also have the super talented senior wide out Uzoma Nwachukwu coming back and add in one of the best freshman WRs in the nation with Thomas Johnson.
The offensive line has a ton of experience returning from last year, captained by 2nd team All-Big 12 left tackle Luke Joeckel and right tackle Jake Matthews. They also have
Despite the fact that the Aggies return a ton of talent in 2012, this year figures to be filled with growing pains. Texas A&M will play their first year in theloaded SEC West. What makes matters worse for the Aggies is the departure of their coach Mike Sherman, as he left to become the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Kevin Sumlin takes over the job and brings with him Kliff Kingsburry as the offensive coordinator and Mark Snyder as the defensive coach.
Offense
The Aggies will have a difficult job trying to replace one of the country's best signal callers in Ryan Tannehill, as he was selected in the opening round of the NFL Draft. Sumlin did a masterful job of working with QBs in Houston, and he will have a number of players he can use in 2012. Red-shirt freshman Johnny Manziel is the top option, but Matt Davis and Matt Joecklel can still sneak in and earn the starting spot.
Texas A&M will also need to replace two of the school's best playmakers in RB Cyrus Gray and wide receiver Jeff Fuller. Gray is third all-time in rushing yards with 3,298 and Fuller is the school's all-time leading pass catcher with 3,092 yards.
Christine Michael will be counted on to replace the numbers the team lost when Gray left for the NFL. The senior back has rushed for 1,530 yards and 12 TDs over the last two years, but he has had health issues missing a grand total of 11 matchups. They also brought in well respected freshman Trey Williams, who has that rare combination of power and speed.
The team will not miss Fuller as much as fans assume. As a matter of fact, Ryan Swope will likely move passed Fuller as the Aggie's all-time leading pass catcher (needs just 889 yards). They also have the super talented senior wide out Uzoma Nwachukwu coming back and add in one of the best freshman WRs in the nation with Thomas Johnson.
The offensive line has a ton of experience returning from last year, captained by 2nd team All-Big 12 left tackle Luke Joeckel and right tackle Jake Matthews. They also have
starting right guard Cedric Ogbuehl and center Patrick Lewis returning. Left guard is the only opening they have on the line, but sophomore Jarvis Harrison is likely to earn the starting role.
Defense
In 2010, the Aggies had a defense that surrendered just 21.9 points/game. But the loss of one of the best linebackers in all of college football, Von Miller, significantly changed their play last season and the team ended up allowing 28.2 points/game. They were really stout against the run, but struggled big time against the pass.
Snyder will move the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3, so that there will be more activity on the front seven. The Aggies will have a difficult time repeating their success against the rush, as they lose a couple of 300 pound monsters in defensive tackles Eddie Brown and Toney Jerod-Eddie. They do return senior defensive end Spencer Nealy and are likely to move starting linebacker Damontre Moore to the other defensive end location.
Three gifted seniors are back at linebacker, which should ease the transition to the 4-3. Weak-side linebacker Sean Porter, who many consider to be one of the elite guys at his spot, leads the unit. They also have middle linebacker Jonathan Stewart and strong side linebacker Steven Jenkins.
The Aggies might actually benefit from their move away from the aerial-heavy Big 12, as the secondary looks even worse than it was a season ago. They not only lost both starting cornerbacks, but they also have the direct misfortune of replacing 4-time All-Big 12 free safety Trent Hunter. Their only starter back is senior Steven Campbell.
SEC Prediction: 6th SEC West
The Aggies will likely struggle to make a smooth move to their new conference, especially with a new coach and starting QB. We will see if they can take some of that aerial-heavy Big 12 offense and make it work in the SEC. They may struggle big time at first though since they enter a division that features three of the top 10 teams in the nation. Their three home games against Florida, Arkansas, and LSU will test their mettle as a roster. If they struggle to win in College Station, they are in for a long season.
Defense
In 2010, the Aggies had a defense that surrendered just 21.9 points/game. But the loss of one of the best linebackers in all of college football, Von Miller, significantly changed their play last season and the team ended up allowing 28.2 points/game. They were really stout against the run, but struggled big time against the pass.
Snyder will move the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3, so that there will be more activity on the front seven. The Aggies will have a difficult time repeating their success against the rush, as they lose a couple of 300 pound monsters in defensive tackles Eddie Brown and Toney Jerod-Eddie. They do return senior defensive end Spencer Nealy and are likely to move starting linebacker Damontre Moore to the other defensive end location.
Three gifted seniors are back at linebacker, which should ease the transition to the 4-3. Weak-side linebacker Sean Porter, who many consider to be one of the elite guys at his spot, leads the unit. They also have middle linebacker Jonathan Stewart and strong side linebacker Steven Jenkins.
The Aggies might actually benefit from their move away from the aerial-heavy Big 12, as the secondary looks even worse than it was a season ago. They not only lost both starting cornerbacks, but they also have the direct misfortune of replacing 4-time All-Big 12 free safety Trent Hunter. Their only starter back is senior Steven Campbell.
SEC Prediction: 6th SEC West
The Aggies will likely struggle to make a smooth move to their new conference, especially with a new coach and starting QB. We will see if they can take some of that aerial-heavy Big 12 offense and make it work in the SEC. They may struggle big time at first though since they enter a division that features three of the top 10 teams in the nation. Their three home games against Florida, Arkansas, and LSU will test their mettle as a roster. If they struggle to win in College Station, they are in for a long season.