'Texas Football' hits the shelves
Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:05 AM
By ROBERT CESSNATexas A&M football fans looking to save money in a struggling economy might want to pass on this year's Texas Football. Then again, it is the golden anniversary issue, so Aggies might opt to buy only one.
TF, which hit the newsstands this week, is picking the Aggies to finish last in the Big 12 South.
"Mike Sherman's squad should improve, but few teams in the Big 12 really took a step backwards," said ESPN.com's Tim Griffin, who makes the magazine's South Division predictions. "Players and coaches are talking about a new attitude on campus, but until we see the product on the field, the basement is where they stay."
Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News picks Kansas to win the North, followed by Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Kansas State and Iowa State.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is the magazine's cover boy. "These Eyes of Texas" is inset to the left of McCoy's eyes, which have Longhorn decals underneath. "Colt McCoy Will Lead 'Horns to National Title," is underneath the main inscription.
The magazine is picking TCU to be in a BCS Bowl, Houston to win Conference USA and Baylor to end its bowl drought.
The high school predictions are a little better for Bryan-College Station's rooting interests.
A&M Consolidated is picked second in District 12-5A behind Copperas Cove. Temple is third, followed by Killeen Ellison, Belton, Bryan, Killeen Shoemaker and Harker Heights. Rudder, which is fielding a team for the second year, is picked last in 24-3A. Rockdale is picked to win, followed by Navasota, Cameron, Caldwell, Taylor and Madisonville.
The Brazos Valley has only four teams in TF's preseason rankings. Brenham, picked to win 18-4A, is ranked 16th in Class 4A. In 3A, Rockdale is ranked 15th and Navasota is 23rd. Calvert, picked to win Division I District 16, is ranked 10th in 6-man. Franklin missed the state rankings, but the Lions are picked to win 20-2A.
Texas Football retails for $9.95, which is the same price as last year. The magazine has 368 pages, also the same as last year.
If Aggie fans are looking for an omen, not all of Griffin's predictions have been on the money. Griffin, who covered the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News before moving to ESPN.com, picked the Aggies fourth last year behind OU, Texas Tech and Texas with OSU fifth and Baylor last.
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NOTES -- Navasota offensive lineman Aleon Calhoun (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) was the only Brazos Valley player to make the magazine's Super Team. He was on the third team. ... Other BV players on the Top 300 seniors were Brenham wide receiver Terrell Reese (6-1, 180), A&M Consolidated tight end Kyle Doll (6-4, 200), Rockdale defensive lineman Logan David (6-4, 300), Consol defensive back Andrew Fletcher (6-0, 185) and Madisonville athlete Brock Taylor (6-0, 175). ... Dave Campbell, the magazine's editor in chief who started the state's bible of football in 1960, was in Brenham on Monday night autographing 300 copies for half price. Brenham will play Katy Mayde Creek on Aug. 29 at noon in San Antonio's Alamodome as part of the 10th Annual Dave Campbell's Texas Football Classic.
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32 comment(s) found!
Posted by: miller58 On: 6/25/2009
Comment Title: RE; SEEING STARS
My personal opnions:_____Stars thanks._____ Of the ~425 players that are evaluated four and five star each year and every year, there is absolutely no good reason for three straight signing classes that Sherman has signed only 7, going down to 5, going down to 3 difference makers; and mac has 12, going up to 14, and going up to 16?_____The only terrible reason is McKinney, RC's and and some football players Friend is a poor coach and a worse recruiter; and must be replaced today before more damage is done._____Only 13 more commits and we are filled up completely, with 85 players thru 2013?_____And Sherman already has offers for most of those 13, with multiple offers already out for the classes of 2011 and 2012?_____ Do you realise, that a new coach honoring our current scholarship commitments, would have his hands almost completely tied, to bring in new faster players, until 2013?_____McKinney and the Regents must act today?_____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 6/24/2009
Comment Title: RE: Pablo
Not nearly all players are evaluated. Local coaches, media, camps, etc all provide names of the kids they believe should be noticed. Internet sites and electronic media provide an abundance of leads. The cream will always rise to the top. If you are good, you can't hide nor do you want to, so you or your coach make certain you are noticed by getting your name in front of these recruiting services and universities you are interested in. Not nearly all of the players are looked at but the system can certainly provide about 3000 names from across the entire nation which is more than enough to fuel the 120 D-1 teams in the hunt (120 x 25 = 3000) especially when you consider the kids who send their "stats" directly to each schools athletic dept (see TAMU application on their web site). If you think you are talented enough you will find a way to get your name in front of them. Then it is a matter of comparing you to your peers and coming up with a ranking system. Agree or disagree with the ranking if you will but overall it is a good source. These recruiting services provide a valuable tool for college coaches to get a peek at prospects who may go unnoticed without them. Then it is a matter of further research by the staff to see if the kid fits your desired player profile. Can you find a local talent at a local university who escaped the rest of the nation, yes you can but year after year one of two things will occur. The top teams in the nation seem to have an abundance of the 4/5 star players OR 3/4 star players with 4/5 star coaching staffs who understand today's game and can put the kid on the field and in position to make a play and be successful. The 5 star kid put in the wrong place by a 2/3 star coach will make a 2/3 star play. Coaches make a difference, both ways. You can also take an average QB and put him behind a 5 star line and he will be very successful. It is not exact, some players are mis-evaluated and some even go unnoticed but the system is the best we have and has more eyes and ears in the field to compile data than any university.
Posted by: Pablo On: 6/24/2009
Comment Title: Correction
meant to say "thousands of HS 'players'"
Posted by: Pablo On: 6/24/2009
Comment Title: Yo! rival.com groupies.. question for ya!
I understand that HS Football in Texas is huge. There must be thousands of HS from 2A-5A across the state, right? How does rivals.com see enough of the players (I'm talking ALL of them) to rate them with any surety? Is it possible they focus on most of the traditional powerhouses (Permian, Dallas Carter) or is it handled by the media? Just curious.
Posted by: Pablo On: 6/24/2009
Comment Title: I thought we put the kabosh in this a while ago?
Not all 5* HIGH SCHOOL players turn out to be Heisman candidates. Similarly not all 3* HIGH SCHOOL players stay that way. A program certainly wants to improve the odds by signing as many 5*'s as possible, but there in fact have been quite a few 3*'s players that were simply overlooked or not fully developed to be rated as such. True, not as many 3*'s turn out like Colt McCoy, but to rant about Sherman's last 2 "crappy classes" before they have had their chance to show what they can do on the field is extreme and tainted. Let's see what happens.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 6/24/2009
Comment Title:
Quality players want to stay in Texas judging by the numbers who choose to do so each year. Where they commit, based on program direction and prestige, has become an easier decision for them over the last 2/3 years and millers numbers below help prove the point.
Posted by: On: 6/24/2009
Comment Title: MILLER 58 IS A GREAT INFLUENCE
THIS GUY IS MAKING ME A BELIEVER. YOU ROCK MILLER...TAKE OVER CESSNA'S JOB WILL YAH?
Posted by: miller58 On: 6/23/2009
Comment Title: HOW HAS McKINNEY AND RC'S FRIEND RECRUITED IN HIS FIRST THREE SIGNING CLASSES?
My personal opinions:_____McKinney and RC's Friend signed 7 difference makers in his first A&M signing class, and tu 12?_____If Mckinney and RC's Friend had re-recruited and recruited all the difference makers A&M committed that year, 'Friend could have signed up to 14 difference makers?_____'Friend signed 5 difference makers to his second A&M class, a 6th decommitted to baylor, and tu signed 14 ?_____'Friend has 3 difference makers committed to his third A&M signing class, no decommits "yet"(?), and tu has committed 16 difference makers?_____Intersting how 'Friend has gone down each year, 7, then 5, now 3; and tu has increased the number of diffrence makers each year 12, then up to 14, and now up to 16 in the current class?_____miller58
Posted by: Sister On: 6/23/2009
Comment Title: to crocker rab
Your post is then correct if we wind up with 5 wins, one less offsides than last year, and one more takeaway than giveaway. After all, you did say 5 OR 6, just LESS offsides than last year, and ONLY one more takeaway. And that becomes some sort of challenging goal or place we should strive to be after two years ???? Wow, we ARE in trouble.
Posted by: Crocker R.A.B. On: 6/23/2009
Comment Title: Re:re: no2percenter
"Where should we be at the end of this year?" How about five or six wins and only one lop-sided loss. Fewer off-sides penalties by the OLine. A positive turnover ratio. And Kyle Field once again needs to become a tough place to play for visiting teams.
Posted by: On: 6/23/2009
Comment Title: re: no2percenter
So you say give sherman 5 years and we will be very proud. OK, where shoud we be at the end of this year considering we are 40 percent of the way down the 5 year road.
Posted by: No2percenter On: 6/22/2009
Comment Title: Sherman Football
Character & discipline have little value in sports & life? You really have lost sight of what is truly important about our great country & university. Just because some kids look up to the Vick's & Pacman's doesn't make it right. I bet you want to legalize pot because 'some people like it'! Most college championships are won by talented disciplined teams. They may have a few idiots in the 100 or so, but the core is solid. You have to have these characteristics to win at the highest levels. Miller58, please don't attend the games. I hope your putting needs alot of work!
Posted by: miller58 On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title: OOPS !!! SHERMAN DID IT AGAIN: LOST #14 COMMIT TO OKIE LITE!
My personal opinions:_____ Mike Sherman continued to stock Big 12 opponents rosters at a furious pace, when Mike's 14 offer of the last couple of months was turned down fot okie lite!_____Mike Gundy will have a good one, 6-1 173 4.4 Athlete Justin Gilbert from Huntsville, on his squad in 2010?_____Sherman's Aggies are ranked in last place in the Big 12 by 3 publications and expected to go 1-11 by another._____1-11 would mean losses to #116 utah state, #95 uab, #106 new mexico. or # 91 iowa state or all four! _____Another national publication ranks us high at #84?_____At least my putting won't be distracted by a loud Kyle Field, for the next few years!_____miller58
Posted by: On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title:
Look around the pro ranks and see how much value is placed on character and discipline. That's who these kids look to, not sherman.
Posted by: No2percenter On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title: Sherman Football
Some of you must be complete IDIOTS! Have you gone to practice? Stood on the sidelines & looked at our team compared to the others? We are small & slow or big & slower! College is 75% recruiting & 25% coaching. Fran couldn't recruit a polar bear to Alaska! Our talent started down thanks to poor facilities & whimpy Wally G under Slocum; it crashed & burned under Frans bland,no discipline style personality/philosophy! Currently, our team carries about 15% true D1 top 25 talent (most of it is young)! It will not turn around overnight, especially w/ you 2%ers scaring off undecided talent. Smart talented recruits read these boards daily. Sherman knows what it takes to win & will recruit good people w/ character & win if we give him a chance. Are yal willing to sell our soul to the devil & put winning immediately above character, discipline, & work ethic? Look around the country & see how embarrassing that type of experiment can be. Give Sherman 5 yrs & I think we will be very proud of his team.
Posted by: On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title:
At least the Ags will not be accused of being underachievers!!!
Posted by: On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title:
To heck with winning it all about academics. Oh that is right academics are missing at A&M also.
Posted by: On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title: Re: Nate Askew
A big-bodied WR? Sounds good to me! I don't give a hoot about his star rating. He fits the mold that Sherman wants - Tannehill and Fuller are big-bodied WR too and they both had terrific seasons last year.
Posted by: On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title:
Thank goodness our pre-season includes "Our Lady of the Lake School for Girls."
Posted by: On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title:
At least we are picked above.... huh, Sam Houston!!
Posted by: miller58 On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title: BREAKING NEWS, MIKE SHERMAN JUST SIGNED ANOTHER 3* BODY?
My personal opinions:____Mike Sherman just signed SA Madison wr Nate Askew.____Askew, low-ranked 3* with accompanied by an unimpressive offer list will deplete the Aggie roster even more along with Sherman's last 2 crappy classes?____miller58.____"Not buying anymore tickets to anymore A&M sporting events until a new coach is hired and signs the minimum 22 4*/5* difference makers in some February?"
Posted by: GIG 'EM On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title: RE: AgsRule! On: 6/16/2009
HEY AGSRULE...UR A TYPICAL AGGIE. HOPEFUL IN HOPELESS TIMES. GIVE IT UP 6-6 IS OVERRATED FOR OUR PROGRAM. SO TIRED OF PRETENDING THAT WE ARE GOOD. HECK OUR SCHOOL IS EVEN CLUSTERED UP WHEN IT COMES TO ITS ORGANIZATION WHAT MORE OUR FOOTBALL. BRYAN HIGH OR CONSOL COULD PROBABLY BEAT OUR TEAM. GET RID OF FOOTBALL AND CONCENTRATE ON TRACK AND OTHERS. MILLER58 IS AN IDIOT BUT HE IS MORE AWARE OF HOW THIS FOOTBALL STINKS.
Posted by: Tired of our Football. Might as well buy tickets for the women's BB On: 6/18/2009
Comment Title: We were never a power house
We are infact a big school and a big joke in football. We can't even eclipse West Virginia's accomplishments. They don;t have a national title...we do. But WV gets alot of respect. Heck even Tech & Baylor get alot of nod nowadays.
Posted by: TECH WILL KICK IT! On: 6/17/2009
Comment Title: aTm
THE NEW BAYLOR OF FOOTBALL. A BIG STADIUM WITH NO USE BUT HOWLING WHOOPIES! WHOOP! SOUNDS LIKE WHOOP OUR B*TTS!!!
Posted by: On: 6/17/2009
Comment Title: Miller Spin
You're so full of it miller58. Are you still holding Fran's jock? Or do you wear it on your head now?
Posted by: miller58 On: 6/17/2009
Comment Title: IF JUDIE HAS COURSE PROBLEMS< SHERMAN'S 3RD CLASS IS 28 BARE CUPBOARD PLAYERS BEHIND?
My personal opinions:_____What about it, AGGIE SPIN MACHINE?_____ROTTON 79?_____miller58.
Posted by: On: 6/16/2009
Comment Title:
Local Killeen,Tx newspaper with an article on the local Killeen, Tx player. Certainly not a quarterback that should have received such an early offer. Not that speedy and not that quick. Give us a break.
Posted by: Sister On: 6/16/2009
Comment Title:
Sherman knows IF you want a dual-threat QB in a west coast offense. Pro-style QB's is where you look for west coast QB's. The kid made his name by running the ball. The article also states he was selected as a "utility" player, not the QB. He remains a three star QB with only a 50% completion rate with very few other offers.
Posted by: AgsRule! On: 6/16/2009
Comment Title: ...also
By the way, it would appear Sherman knows what he's doing after all with Jameill Showers no? http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=33987
Posted by: AgsRule! On: 6/16/2009
Comment Title: No tu!
My predictions which are NEVER wrong! 1. tu will be pew U, no Heisman, B12 or NT's. 2. Texas A&M will be 8-4, but loose their bowl game to TCU. 3. Baylor will regain control of the Cellar. 4. Colorado will surprise everyone. 5. OU will win Big12 but flop in the National title game again. I know these things, trust me! :-)
Posted by: On: 6/16/2009
Comment Title:
Or would that be underachievement at 6 and 6 ???
Posted by: Aggie92 On: 6/16/2009
Comment Title: Positive Spin?
I buy Texas Football every year and definately check out what the other publications are saying about the Aggies. However, this year with EVERY magazine predicting a last place Big 12 south finish for our Aggies there was no reason to buy any of the preseason publications. But, if you want a positive spin on the situation, when you're picked last by everyone, then there's no place to go but up baby!!! Here's to over-achievement at 6-6 and a Texas Bowl birth!!!
