By ROBERT CESSNAThe Texas A&M football team is 0-5 when appearing on television this season and has been outscored 112-29 in the two games it's worn all white.
You can be superstitious if you want, but A&M's troubles have nothing to do with cameras or fashion. The Aggies simply aren't making enough plays.
Offensively, A&M has had a tough time staying on the field. Defensively, it can't get off the field. That's a frustrating combination.
The Aggies have converted only 6 of their last 27 third downs. And it's not that the Aggies are always facing third-and-long. Only five of the third downs have been 10 yards or longer. A&M has failed on third-and-4 or less six times.
The opponents' offenses haven't had too many problems converting third downs in the last six quarters. Colorado and Oklahoma were a combined 15 of their last 23, including converting four that were third-and-10 or more with a trio of those plays either being scores or helping set up touchdowns.
Don't underestimate the importance of moving the chains.
A&M was 18 of 26 on third downs in victories over Texas Tech and Iowa State, while the opponents were only a combined 9 of 25.
And because of A&M's recent third-down troubles, a season that looked so promising after the Tech victory is hanging dangerously close to failure.
A&M wasn't able to beat a below-average Colorado team and proved to be no match for Oklahoma's worst team in a decade. There's no doubt both Colorado and Oklahoma responded after having been bad-mouthed for a week coming off disheartening losses. They also benefited from playing at home, but the Aggies didn't show up, giving them a 1-4 record away from Kyle Field.
Now A&M probably has to beat Baylor, play well against Texas and also do well in a bowl game to consider this a successful season.
The blowout loss to Oklahoma was most disturbing. The struggling Sooners were favored by 20 points, which seemed kinda high. As it turned out, that wasn't enough for either half.
A&M was able to shrug off the 47-19 loss to Arkansas because it made plays in that game. The 62-14 loss at Kansas State become bearable when the Aggies knocked off Texas Tech.
Blowout losses stick with you, which former head coach Dennis Franchione can attest to.
A&M is 5-5, which is exactly where most of us thought it would be, but it's in a huge dip right now on this roller-coaster season. It's important that the Aggies finish on an upward swing.
The recovery has to start with the offense, which is head coach Mike Sherman's forte. If the Aggies can't move the football and score points, the defense doesn't have a chance, which was evident the last two weeks.
A&M doesn't have enough difference-makers on defense other than sack master Von Miller. Throw in a few special teams gaffes and you get a 65-10 blowout.
Baylor and Texas and a possible bowl game give A&M the opportunity to recover what's been lost, but the Aggies are running out of chances.
The good news about Saturday's game for Aggies is that it won't be televised. And odds are they won't be wearing white, though a loss would leave some wanting to wave a white flag before jumping into the Brazos River.
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Coach Mike Sherman's radio show from Wings-N-More on University Drive will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday on WTAW (1620), which is a departure from its normal day.
Robert Cessna's e-mail address is robert.cessna@theeagle.com.
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