Texas A&M Football: 5 Reasons 2012 Should Be All About the Offense

The SEC is all about defense. The Aggies, however, aren't exactly on that bandwagon just yet. Under a new offensive-minded head coach in Kevin Sumlin, A&M will have a formidable attack on both the ground and in the air.

They will be looking to win games next season by outscoring their opponents rather than shutting down their offenses. A young QB protected by a veteran offensive line, Sumlin will have a slurry of offensive weapons running and catching the ball all season long.

A&M will possibly be one of the most exciting teams to watch next year just due to the sheer amount of talent they hold on the offense. This team should be more dangerous than most people give them credit for, and they could be a legitimate threat in the SEC West.

We take a look at A&M's top five reasons why 2012 will be the year of the offense. 

Christine Michael

One of the most revered recruits out of Texas in recent memory, this senior running back out of Beaumont is ready to be the main force in this A&M offense. With a seasoned offensive line at the helm, Michael is in a prime position to possibly be the best back in his university's new conference. 

Two season-ending injuries have kept this superstar off the field parts of each of the past two years, but after another offseason of rehab, Michael will be taking on SEC. Last year, he emerged with tons of added muscle, which transformed an extremely athletic runner into a power back. 

Rushing for just under 2400 yards on 441 carries in his career at A&M, Michael is an RB to be reckoned with. With Trent Richardson leaving, Michael will have to fight it out with Marcus Lattimore to find out not only who is the best but also who won't be injured during the season.

A Young QB

Redshirted in his freshman season, the Aggies will have the pleasure of starting Manziel at A&M possibly for four seasons. Hailing from Kerrville, Texas, he was the most prominent QB in the state and arguably one of the best in the nation in his recruiting class.

During just his senior year in high school, Manziel threw for over 3600 yards for 45 TDs and just five interceptions. Competing against the best defenses in the nation just next season, Manziel will have to be molded into a superstar by the brilliant offensive mind of Kevin Sumlin.

As it so happens, Manziel's youth may be his greatest asset. Under the direction of Sumlin, he can evolve over the course over the next couple of years into one of the best quarterbacks in the country.  

The Receiving Corp

The Aggies have lost a superstar in Jeff Fuller. His absence will soon be a distant memory, especially since the crew coming back next season is fully loaded.

Returning to help out a young QB in Johnny Manziel, A&M will have its leading receiver with junior Ryan Swope. His presence alone is enough for opposing secondaries to game-plan around.

Along with Swope, the Aggies will hold onto juniors Uzoma Nwachukwu, Brandal Jackson and Kenric McNeal, as well as sophomore Nate Askew. They are stronger than ever and will be a huge factor in making sure Manziel has some experienced hands to throw to.

This receiving corps underperformed this past season when it could have been the best in the nation. Better coaching, along with a new look in the SEC, and A&M will be in business. Swope and company will have a lot to prove come next year, but with this kind of talent at hand, there should be no problem.

The Offensive Line

For most of this past year, the Aggies started on the offensive line one freshman with Cedric Ogbuehi, two sophomores in Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews and two juniors with Patrick Lewis and Brian Thomas.

Obviously, that means that every single one of these buffet busters will be coming back for another chance to ground up some defenses. After playing almost all of past the 13 games as a unit, they won't need to "mesh" next season like O-lines usually have to. Instead, they will be prepared from day one to take on the defense-crazed SEC. This is a gigantic advantage that will speak volumes under Kevin Sumlin and his new coaching staff.

Having a star-studded offensive line is one thing, but almost any coach would tell you that a line that already trusts in each other is a million times better than one that just has experience. With a senior RB like Christine Michael also returning, this rushing game will be the backbone of the A&M offense come next season.

Kevin Sumlin

New coach Kevin Sumlin is considered one of the best offensive minds in the nation. His intricate formations and big-time passing game is second to none, as Houston, led by Case Keenum, proved week after week in Conference USA.

Now, he moves a few miles northwest to Aggieland. His offense is set for some huge changes, and with amazing talent at running back, wide receiver and the offensive line, he will have a lot to work with. A young yet talented QB in Johnny Manziel can now by molded and shaped into a deadly machine by a man who knows exactly how to exploit weaknesses in any defense.

The man runs on confidence. His ability to make an offense work is strongly based around how well he knows himself and his team, and after years of getting to know how he works and a summer learning about his new team, Sumlin will have everything running like a well-oiled machine.