Texas A&M Football: Ranking the 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

Texas A&M is coming off of a shaky performance in 2011, in which the Aggies finished the season with a 7-6 record. This season will be the beginning a new journey, as there is a new head coach in place and the team will begin its first year in the SEC.

The Aggies return 15 starters, including nine on the offensive side of the ball. There are a lot of reasons to feel good about this team heading into the year, but the schedule certainly does not do them any favors. One of the things you can expect when you join the SEC is much tougher competition, and playing in the SEC West, the Aggies will have to deal with a brutal schedule year in and year out.

With the season quickly approaching, here are the easiest and most difficult games for the 2012 Texas A&M Aggies.

12. Vs. South Carolina State

Last year's record: 7-4

Returning starters: N/A

If this were the South Carolina Gamecocks, maybe the Aggies would have a chance to lose this game. But instead, it is the South Carolina State Bulldogs, a team in the MEAC Conference. Five dollars goes to the first person who can name three teams in that conference without cheating.

11. Vs. Sam Houston State

Last year's record: 14-1

Returning starters: N/A

Another cupcake team for the Aggies to feast on is San Houston State.

Wait, this team finished the 2011 season with a 14-1 record? Oh, it was in the Southland Conference? Never mind then, you can expect another Texas A&M blowout.

10. At Ole Miss

Last year's record: 2-10

Returning starters: 15

This will be the first SEC road game for Texas A&M, but it shouldn't be a problem, as the Rebels are not a good football team at the moment.

Currently still trying to find themselves, Ole Miss struggles on both sides of the ball and doesn't pose much of a threat to more talented teams in 2012.

9. At SMU

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 10

In the last 11 games against SMU, the Aggies are 10-0-1, and that includes a 46-14 victory last season.

The Mustangs were competitive last season for the most part, but losing eight starters on offense shouldn't have the Aggies too concerned heading into this matchup. 

8. At Louisiana Tech

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 14

The first game of the season may not be a sexy matchup, but the Bulldogs are not a team that should be slept on. This team is capable of putting points up on the board and staying close in this game. They return eight starters on offense, including both quarterbacks that played at different points in the season.

Not saying the Aggies will lose this game, but they must remain focused on the road heading into Independence Stadium.

7. Vs. Missouri

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 11

The Tigers have won five of the last six games against the Aggies. Missouri also returns a talented offense that is capable of scoring points in a hurry, led by quarterback James Franklin.

Both of these teams will be out to battle for respect being the two new teams in the SEC. You would think the Aggies would have a slight advantage with the game being played on Kyle Field.

6. At Mississippi State

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 12

Mississippi State is a physical team that returns seven starters on defense and has a talented quarterback prospect in Tyler Russell. The Bulldogs are capable of competing with the best teams in the conference, but they are also capable of really stinking up the joint.

This should be an interesting game for both teams in Starkville, with the cowbells going off.

5. Vs. Florida

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 16

The first SEC game for the Aggies will be when the Florida Gators take a trip to College Station. The Gators were underachievers last season, finishing with a 7-6 record and losing games they probably should have won. The offense does have serious issues, but returning 10 starters on defense is what should make things difficult for this Aggies offense.

4. At Auburn

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 16

Not sure what we are going to get out of this Auburn team in 2012.

The majority of a talented team returns, but can they fix some of last year's issues? That defense was horrible, and the Tigers must get better production out of the quarterback position. Still, it is no cakewalk to win in Jordan-Hare Stadium, and Gene Chizik should have this team clicking by the time these two squads meet up in the middle of the year.

3. Vs. Arkansas

Last year's record: 11-2

Returning starters: 13

Despite the off-the-field issues that Arkansas is dealing with, this is still one of the more talented teams in the country—particularly on offense, as the team returns seven starters from a unit that averaged nearly 37 points per game.

The defense also played when it wanted to, holding South Carolina to 79 yards on the ground and Kansas State to 260 yards of total offense. The Razorbacks have won five of the last seven meetings against the Aggies.

2. Vs. LSU

Last year's record: 13-1

Returning starters: 12

LSU will once again have a top defense, one of the best running games and now has a quarterback that can throw the ball in Zach Mettenberger. You can make an argument that this team has more talent than last year's team, and that's where most teams begin shivering in their boots.

The Aggies have won six of the last eight games against the Tigers, but this is a completely different animal Texas A&M is going up against.

1. At Alabama

Last year's record: 12-1

Returning starters: 11

Alabama is the defending national champion, and it returns the majority of last year’s team.

This game would be the toughest matchup for anybody, but not only does this game take place in Tuscaloosa, it is also the last road game of three straight road trips. Ouch.