6-6?
Published Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:01 AM
robert.cessna@theeagle.com
View all Robert's Blogs
Gee, we spend a lot of time talking about projected records.
I’ve already penciled A&M for a 6-6 record, which I think is a safe, reasonable prediction. I’m not saying the Aggies can’t go 8-4, I just don’t think it’s likely. I’ve communicated with fans who won’t be happy with 6-6. I could see that if most of the losses are blowouts, especially late in the season.
But a 6-6 record would be a two-game improvement and earn A&M a bowl trip. I just think it’s vital that this program makes it to a bowl before the likes of Baylor, Colorado and Kansas State.
It just seems that the Holiday Bowl was so long ago. The Alamo Bowl against Penn State didn’t count. I’m glad those seniors got to go, but bowl games with a coaching staff on the way out just isn’t something to draw inspiration from.
A bowl trip this year would be something to build on.
CollegeFootballNews.com picks the Aggies 77th, not that it means anything, nor should it. I love the magazine’s explanation: “Losing RB Mike Goodson a year early to the NFL is a huge hit, but Jerrod Johnson is a good looking quarterback and the receiving corps should quietly be among the best in the Big 12. Only five starters return on defense, but the D could use an influx of new blood.”
Interesting. I don’t think losing the Goodson who played last season is a big loss. The receiving corps is unsettled because of Ryan Tannehill’s status. If he remains at quarterback, the Aggies need to find receivers to complement Jeff Fuller. And Eskimos who don’t follow college football know the Aggies need help on defense.
What's interesting is the A&M opponents CFN rates below the Aggies — No. 78 Kansas State, No. 79 Baylor, No. 82 Iowa State, No. 95 New Mexico, No. 99 UAB and No. 113 Utah State.
That 6-6 prediction is looking a lot better, at least until I find some more forecasts, which shouldn’t be too hard.
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Comments
25 comment(s) found!
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: RE: Flowbee58
Honestly, you can learn the spread-option offensive playbook in 5-7 practice sessions because it is only a handful of plays, each run from several different formations. Problem is that at first everyone knows the plays and formations but they look real ragged on execution. Smoothing it out takes reps, reps, and more reps. I'll bet the NM offense has 95% of the playbook down right now but it will take the summer and fall to "slick it up". I don't know the current ncaa rules concerning organized practice sessions during the summer i.e., how many players can work together with how much coaching input but you can bet with the work done to date plus the fall work, these guys will look good in september. Not a complete work but still good. Now they are NOT ok, tu, tt, ok st, fla, etc however, this spread option can give folks fits and has caused several upsets the last couple of years (app st) and several teams to rise to prominence who were never there before. You know they lost their starting QB in game #4 last year and had to regroup. The QB returns as a senior but I don't know if he will win the job with the new offense. Yes, we out-talent them by a mile. Yes, we are at home and they must travel for their first game of the year. But, we have a new defense too and a coaching staff feeling a little heat and a team that has not done well defending this type offense in the past. Don't underestimate their coach. He's good and he will get the most out of them but it may not be enough. If it goes according to the script (we know the odds of that) they will feature 2 wides, each 15-20 yards wide of their tackles and 2 slots, each about 2 yards wide of their tackles and 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. They can throw to these slot receivers/backs out on routes or use them as running backs with pitches and shovel passes between the tackles. They also will have a running back who will ride the QB with the ball until the QB reads the 4-3 DE (miller) or 3-4 OLB (again miller) depending on what defense we run. Remember, they want this game in space (spread) and they want to find isolations where their man is a touch better than our man out by himself on a pass route, with a pitch, or a QB keeper. They currently have at least 4 players I am aware of with better than 4.5 speed to put in these positions. Gonna be a test for us considering it is the first game of the year but in most cases the cream will always rise to the top and we should come out with a "W" (if we are prepared correctly). Thanks for the feedback.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Finally
At least Pinocchio is not using "we" anymore !! I agree with Cessna that six wins is reasonable with the non conference slate and the the home conference games. Seeing Stars, your'e right about overlooking NM. But I thought Rocky Long was an exceptional defensive coach who got the most out of his talent. They were very unpredictable and caused problems. Its hard to learn the spread in an offseason and fall, then come to what I still believe to be a tough place to play in your first game in that offense. Your feedback appreicated.
Posted by: On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title:
Who's better at what they do best: Sherman at coaching or Miller talking out of his @ss? Where are my fries!?
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Amazing Moves
I have the answer to your question about Pinocchio58. Have you ever tried to flip burgers, handle the deep fryer, man the drive thru window and blog BS at the same time ? Oh, and then use your DIRECT SALES prowess to "super size" all at once ? The lines respresent his abiltiy to hold his thoughts, multi-task, and move on. That is why Sonic and DQ are sending him mail daily. Indeed, "The talented Mr Pinochhio".
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: RE; ags
My personal opinions:_____Nick Saban is a good coach and good recruiter; and last year, in exactly the same position as Sherman is this year, went 12-0 regular season!_____Mike Sherman is a bad coach and a bad recruiter; and in exactly the same position as Saban, but because Mike is a bad coach and a bad recruiter, will lose more games than he wins this year!_____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: New Mexico Opener
Don't get caught counting up wins and look past this New Mexico team. We have talent all over them but last year they did ring up 370 yards of offense to our 236 (thank goodness for the interception return for a TD). They also have a new coach who spent several years at Florida and guess what he is busy doing right now.......installing the spread offense. May be fun.
Posted by: ags On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: 12-0
yeah!!! we are going 12-0. we are going to beat texas and ou. then we will play for the fiesta or rose bowl and even for national championship against USC!!!!take that miller
Posted by: AmazingMoves On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
Why does miller58 have so many lines in his paragraph?
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
Fries or Tots? Isn't 'Stars' the same thing as 'Sonic'? Miller where are you to settle the debate?
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
The record would be the same and that is the sad part.
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: Here's an idea
Has Miller ever made a post without the word "star" or a "*" in it? I just wish he would explain why we don't just add up the stars of the players to see who wins. Then, I don't have to drop so much cash to see the games. We could determine the MNC once signing day is over. After all, according to him, stars of recruits are all that count. (You know what? Maybe that IS a good idea.)
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
SOMEONE PLEASE SIGN MILLER UP ON E-HARMONY! THAT WILL FIX HIM! KETCHUP WITH THOSE FRIES?
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
Soon will not be anyone left in town but you and...............OMG, miller. "Fries Up".
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
Catch a ride with them, please. I'll pitch in for gas.
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: re- chicken hawk
Highway 6 runs both ways !! So true. If the rest of you do not believe it just watch which way recruits are going !!
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: Poor Miller
I get it. 58 is miller's I.Q. right? b.t.h.o.t.u.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: Pinocchio58_Five Star Recruit
Pinocchio58 is a five star recruit in the lastest issue of "Deep Fryer's News". Sonic and Dairy Queen are engaged in a fierce recruitng war for his services, but don't count out Burger King !
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
Ignore miller58 - he's not an ag. bleeds baylor green
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: RE: ChickenHawk89
My personal opinions:_____ Chickenhawk89, you're absolutely right!_____To even talk about four and five star players, and our 10 recruiting drawfs in the same breath, is truly an oxymoron!_____Our coaches wouldn't know a four or five star recruit, even if tu let one of their 17 commits visit them, or bit them in he rear?_____miller58
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: There's a Reason
Pinochhio58 will never go away. His recent promotion to assistant manager on the late shift means he'll have all day to post his same old same old. Also, he "super-sized" more people last month to cement his # 1 direct sales ranking. You can feel his confidence growing. He might even pick a flowbee again. ding ding. Quarter punder with cheese ready !!
Posted by: ChickenHawk89 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: Enough of Miller58
Miller enough about your "five star, four star" talent talk. It's the same stuff day in day out. In college players, coaches and fans all contribute to winning. Everyday you speak of gloom and negativity. What gives? Are you in or not? If not, get lost and get a life! Highway 6 runs both ways! If in, support the team and our boys. After all, they are wearing the Maroon and White! I love our school and all it stands for. The 12th Man is all about being ready if and when called on. Are you in or not!
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: EXPECT SHERMAN TO LOSE MORE GAMES THAN HE WINS THIS YEAR!
My personal opinions:_____Few top players recruited plus Sherman's coaching simply equals very few wins_____miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: SHERMAN TO TAKE 7 FIVE STAR PLAYERS IN SATURDAY"S DRAFT?
My personal opinions:_____In a move surprising no one, crafty nfl veteran Mike Sherman traded away the draft rights to 7 five star players, for 28 last round low ranked left over players!_____The 28 quantity will falsely inflate early team recruiting rankings higher!_____When ask about this, Chancellor McKinney, President Murano, and the Regents said we look forward to the sell out_______crowds?_____miller58
Posted by: AgsRule! On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: ags
ags,I like your thinking! A&M should win, New Mexico, Utah State, UAB, @KSU, Iowa St.,@Colorado. That is your 6 wins, maybes will be Arkansas, Baylor, it's a sad day in AggieLand when you say a Baylor win would be an upset, but if we win those 2, that would give us 8 wins.
Posted by: ags On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: 6-6? what?!
i think it'll be 12-0 then then we will play for Fiesta or National Chmapionship against USC.