Texas A&M Football 2012: 1 Good Reason Why the Aggies Can Beat Every Opponent

As Texas A&M heads into their inaugural season with their new conference, the SEC, many a critic is waiting for the Aggies to fall, and fall hard. Ranging from ESPN analysts to the local Texas media, you would be hard-pressed to find someone outside Aggieland or their new home who doesn't lust for A&M to fail.

While the SEC is easily considered the best football power in the nation, the Aggies program is no pushover either. After letting former head coach Mike Sherman go after a disappointing 6-6 season, athletic director Bill Byrne and his search committee concluded that Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin was right the man to take over at A&M.

The offensive-minded Sumlin may be a change for the defensive-heavy SEC, but could possibly be a solid advantage for an Aggie team that more than needs it considering who they'll be facing in the upcoming season.

While it may be a stretch to believe that A&M has any chance at an undefeated record, particularly when both national title contenders from last year play in their same division, anything is possible. The game of football is the most volatile and unpredictable in the world, allowing me some leeway when I say that the Aggies have a shot at going 12-0 next season.

We take a look at every game on Texas A&M's schedule and analyze how a miracle year might just be within the realm of possibilities for the Aggies. 

Aug. 30 @ Louisiana Tech

A&M's Advantage: High Expectations 

As the Aggies move into their first year ever as an official member of the SEC, expectations will skyrocket for this talented group of young men. Louisiana Tech is no powerhouse and resides in one of the worst conferences in the nation, the WAC, but they still present a threat. 

After watching the Bulldogs almost upset TCU last season in the Poinsettia Bowl, the Aggies must understand the force they're going up against on the road. What will help them pull out the win, however, will certainly be the fact that A&M knows every single Aggie out in the world is counting on them. 

The Aggies' choice of Sumlin to replace Sherman as well as their move to the SEC all starts right here. It's one of the biggest games ever for A&M, but that is their greatest strength.

Sept. 8 vs. Florida

A&M's Advantage: Must Impress in First SEC Matchup

While the SEC is all about the talent and poise under pressure, presenting yourself as a threat early on is extremely important. For the 12 universities that have resided in the SEC for decades now, this game is just the beginning of conference play.

For Texas A&M, however, it is something that means much more. Winning your first conference game ever as a member of a new league is more than just a victory—it's a statement. The Aggies also will be looking for their first home win of the season against a quality opponent.

To top things off, A&M will be facing Florida's somewhat new head coach Will Muschamp who, it just so happens, is the former defensive coordinator for the Aggies' old-time rival, Texas. Just another reason to pull off the win at Kyle Field. 

Sept. 15 @ SMU

A&M's Advantage: Out of Conference Wins Are a Necessity

With the SEC and their eight-game league schedule, the matchups that each university has out-of-conference are extremely important. Most schedule one or two decent teams and leave the other two as FCS squads.

With Louisiana Tech starting out the year, SMU is A&M's second FBS team out-of-conference. Not only that, the Mustangs have been dramatically improving over the past couple of years and will be tough on the road for the Aggies. 

Once again, Sumlin and his crew understand the importance of taking home wins that are outside the SEC, especially due to their positioning in the ever-difficult SEC West. That motivation is easily enough to help the Aggies return to College Station owning a victory.

Sept. 22 vs. South Carolina State

A&M's Advantage: Talent

So this one is pretty obvious, but I have to say it anyway. The Aggies should beat SCSU on a bad day and will wipe the gridiron with this lowly FCS squad. 

This matchup just comes down to talent. A&M has a ton of it and South Carolina State can't compare position by position. Not to mention, this game will be played at Kyle Field so that will not help things for the visitors at all.

Sept. 29 vs. Arkansas

A&M's Advantage: Revenge

After the one-point Oklahoma State loss last season, Texas A&M travelled up to Dallas to take on Arkansas in a tough non-conference matchup. Each team had a lot to prove going into Jerryworld off losses to ranked squads OSU and Alabama. 

The Aggies offense exploded to start off the game, putting up a solid 35 points and owning the Hogs. Then, A&M's second-half woes continued as they only scored a field goal and gave away the win to Arkansas.

As the two universities have their first matchup as conference mates since their former Southwest Conference days, Texas A&M will be gunning for some good old-fashioned revenge at home against the talented Razorbacks. Count on Sumlin and company to make sure it happens.  

Oct. 6 @ Ole Miss

A&M's Advantage: The Rebels Are Rebuilding

Last year, Ole Miss placed last in the SEC and didn't win a conference game. Head coach Houston Nutt resigned in shame, making way for the hiring of former Arkansas State head coach Hugh Freeze.

This upcoming season isn't looked too promising either, however, even under the new staff. Rebuilding any program is never easy, but with the SEC West breathing down your neck every single year, Freeze and company will have a rough time ahead of them.

The Aggies should easily add to the Rebels' loss totals for the season, giving A&M a much-needed division win early on.

Oct. 20 vs. LSU

A&M's Advantage: Kyle Field and the 12th Man

While the Tigers are looking to possibly be the best squad in the nation next season considering all their returning starters and winning tradition, A&M provides a tough contest for LSU. This fact becomes especially true when the Aggies host the defending conference champions. 

Many teams underestimate the power that is the 12th Man. The roaring crowd, synchronized yells and overbearing triple-deck structure is more than enough to knock any squad into a stupor. While this win would seemingly be the upset of the decade for A&M, don't think this victory isn't on the table for the Aggies.

Watch for the home-field advantage to be the game-changer for this big-time matchup.

Oct. 27 @ Auburn

A&M's Advantage: The Tigers Are a Receding Power 

When Auburn took home the national title a few seasons back under the leadership of star QB Cam Newton, most analysts saw the Tigers as a possible top power in the SEC for years to come. As the past season has shown, Auburn is on the decline and will fall even further in 2012.

Their receding power in the SEC West will leave open a slot for A&M to take home a win from the Tigers. While it won't be simple or easy, the Aggies' strong offensive schemes should be more than enough to help them outscore the Tigers. 

Nov. 3 @ Mississippi State

A&M's Advantage: Powerful Offensive Attack

MSU has been on the rise for the past couple seasons under head coach Dan Mullen and will continue that trend in 2012. Their talent is extremely raw, young and unproven, but their few veterans make them one of the most dangerous squads in the conference.

Walking into Starkville and emerging victorious will be more than difficult for A&M, but with this potent Aggie offense, they will have a solid chance. By this point in the year, Sumlin will have put together possibly the top offense in the conference. Just this fact alone gives Texas A&M a shot at the win.

Mississippi State is certainly not a team to be underestimated. Their last meeting at the 2000 Independence "Snow" Bowl proves that as the Bulldogs came back on A&M to pull off the overtime victory. 

Nov. 10 @ Alabama

A&M's Advantage: The National Champs Will Overlook the Aggies 

Easily the biggest stretch on this list, the Crimson Tide not only have two national titles in the past three seasons, but also have enough potential to win it again next year. Furthermore, the Aggies have no home-field advantage on their side this time, instead having to visit the dangerous Bryant-Denny.

The only real chance A&M has at pulling off this giant SEC upset would be if 'Bama doesn't see them coming. Some of the all-time greatest victories are due to the better team turning a blind-eye to the lower-ranked squad. This would be A&M's second opportunity of the year to upset a top-tiered team and if they really take advantage, it could propel them into the conference championship. 

Nov. 17 vs. Sam Houston State

A&M'S Advantage: SHSU is a Cupcake

Competing in America's toughest conference has its perks as well. Taking on two cupcake squads, as opposed to just one per year, is certainly one of those perks. The SEC, understanding how truly difficult their league is, helps to structure schedules so that each university has the chance to regroup with an easy win every now and then.

While South Carolina State was A&M's first FCS team, Sam Houston State comes in as the Aggies second. Another matchup in which the maroon and white plainly have the advantage on the talent side of things, this victory goes down with ease.   

Nov. 24 vs. Missouri

A&M's Advantage: Third Time is the Charm

Two seasons ago, the Tigers had the pleasure of coming into Kyle Field and handing A&M a loss. Then, last year, Missouri was forced to return to College Station due to a scheduling conflict caused by the realignment of Nebraska and Colorado. The Tigers walked in again, this time barely edging out a win in overtime.

Now that Mizzou is A&M's moving buddy into the SEC and both had their long-time Thanksgiving weekend rivalries broken, the two were paired to become locked opponents from their respective divisions. Basically, this means that the Aggies will play the Tigers every year as their season finale.

As it so happens, however, the SEC scheduled Mizzou at College Station once again. Texas A&M will be looking to take down the Tigers in order to fulfill the old saying of "third time is the charm."