SEC Football: Realistic Expectations for Texas A&M and Missouri

The addition of Missouri and Texas A&M has added a new wrinkle to SEC preseason debates.  How will they fit in?  Will they contend for division titles?  

Let's take a look:

Texas A&M

The Aggies come to the SEC with a reputation, and it isn't a good one.  Last season, the college football world learned that Texas A&M is not capable of finishing games in the Big 12.  Now that the Aggies are in the SEC, can they hang?

In short: nope.

The Aggies are breaking in a new coaching staff, starting quarterback, starting running back and must fill in several holes on defense.  Considering they now live in a dangerous neighborhood—the SEC West—that can't make Texas A&M faithful feel good about 2012.  The good news is that all five starters return on the offensive line, and continuity on the offensive line is huge for any team—particularly one that's filling in holes at other spots on the offensive side of the ball.

The schedule, however, does break nicely for the Aggies.  They get LSU, Arkansas, Missouri and Florida all within the friendly confines of Kyle Field.  But road trips to Alabama and Auburn, coupled with inexperience on the field and in the coaches' booth, will leave the Aggies struggling to make a bowl game.

Missouri

Missouri may not bring the most storied football history into the SEC, but it does have a better chance of immediate success than its fellow SEC newcomer Texas A&M.  Quarterback James Franklin may not be a household name now, but he's ready-made to become a star in the SEC this season.  The dual-threat junior injured his shoulder in spring practice, but he will be ready to go when toe meets leather this fall.

T.J. Moe returns at wide receiver, but the story heading into the season will be fellow wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, the gem of the 2012 recruiting class.  Green-Beckham will be to Missouri what Julio Jones and A.J. Green were to Alabama and Georgia, respectively. 

Plus, consider Missouri's competition.  The SEC East is on the rise, but it's still nowhere near the SEC West.  The Tigers avoid LSU and Arkansas, and they get Alabama and Georgia at home.  If Missouri beats Georgia on September 8, get used the the idea of Missouri playing in the SEC Championship Game in the Georgia Dome...because it could happen.