Texas A&M Football: Why the Aggies' 2012 Expectations Are Way Too Low

As most everyone knows by now, Texas A&M will be entering the Southeastern Conference for the 2012 season. In the Aggies' first "bold" move in decades, they have separated their brand from those of the rest of the state while also substantially increasing on-the-field competition as well as their financial situation.

Furthermore, one of the largest reasons for the Aggies' move to the SEC is the cultural similarities A&M shares with the rest of their new league. The traditions, rabid fan base and no-nonsense kind of outlook is very much the same as what you might find in Alabama, Tennessee or Florida.

Overall, this is easily seen as the best move for Texas A&M.

Not only do they gain the opportunity to compete at a higher level, but they also join the ranks of some of the most storied programs in the college football world.

As the Aggies make their "official" move to the SEC in early July, many fans and analysts around the country have begun to create a picture of how A&M fares in the much tougher SEC.

For the most part, these "expectations" have become increasingly more dire as many have even gone as far as concluding that the Aggies won't even make a bowl game this upcoming season.

As a firm believer in the basis of absolute logic, I have compiled a list of reasons why Texas A&M will not only just "make it by" in their new conference, but also thrive and possibly compete with the very best of them.

NFL Talent

Over the course of the past two seasons, Texas A&M has had two top-notch players drafted in the top ten of the NFL Draft (LB Von Miller to Denver @ No. 2 and QB Ryan Tannehill to Miami @ No. 8).

The caliber talent that resides at College Station is immense and it is only going to become more prevalent as Texas A&M moves to the SEC.

As of right now, the Aggies are putting multiple players on the field that have more than enough clout to become possible first round draft picks.

Many of these young men include seniors Patrick Lewis, Sean Porter, Ryan Swope and Christine Michael as well as juniors Jake Matthews, Luke Joeckel and Damontre Moore. 

The kind of leadership and ability that A&M puts on the gridiron is almost unmatched anywhere else in the country right now.

The Aggies' fan base has to expect more out of this group for them to perform at a higher level, especially with the much more threatening SEC looming in the near future.

Kevin Sumlin

When former Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne chose Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin as former Aggie head coach Mike Sherman's replacement, I was honestly disappointed.

With the Aggies entering the SEC, I was convinced that A&M needed a much more experienced leader to help stave off the close losses that have plagued this program for years. 

However, as the year has progressed since Sumlin's hiring, I have personally been extremely impressed.

In the somewhat difficult Conference-USA, Sumlin managed a 24-8 league record in addition to his career 35-17 overall record.

Furthermore, he has experience coaching at big-time programs such as Oklahoma, Purdue and even A&M. As an offensive-minded coach, Sumlin brings a different kind of style to the defensive-focused SEC, providing the Aggies an advantage that no other university in the league owns.

Finally, Sumlin has proven his ability to develop players, a trait that every A&M coach must have to be able to retain success.

Watching Houston QB Case Keenum evolve under Sumlin was like viewing an artist mold clay into a masterpiece. Keenum had all the talent in the world coming into Houston but Sumlin was able to extract those qualities, reorganize them and construct the perfect quarterback who eventually led the Cougars to a one-loss season.

On a side note, Sumlin has also shown himself to be one of the best recruiters in the nation.

He has already put together one of the top 2013 classes in the nation in addition to securing a brilliant 2012 class following Sherman's firing. Even with the loss of four-star WR Braylon Addison on National Signing Day, Sumlin was able to keep his cool and pick up the state's top wideout in Thomas Johnson. 

Conclusion

The SEC isn't some trap waiting to be sprung on the unsuspecting Aggies. They are more than prepared for it, owning possibly one of the deepest teams in the conference.

While Texas A&M may not be able to walk into Bryant-Denny and take down Alabama, I still believe that Sumlin and his player leadership will have this team geared up for the 2012 season like none other.

Just because 2011 was dismal and disappointing doesn't mean that you have to give up on the up coming one due to "overwhelming odds."

Things are different for this squad. They have mentally and physically evolved. Hope may seem like chivalrous virtue, but when it comes to college football, no goal is ever out of reach.