Texas A&M Football: Game-by-Game Predictions for the 2011-12 Season
Every season it seems like there is always one team that feels like it was cheated out of the national-championship game. The past few years, it has been either Boise State or TCU.
After TCU's impressive showing at the Rose Bowl this past year, this may very well be the year the Horned Frogs get their chance.
The Aggies will have to win every game this season if they hope to have a chance at the national championship. One loss could be the difference in the national-championship game and another appearance in the Cotton Bowl.
The Aggies are coming off of a 9-4 season and have 20 returning starters from last year. The only starter on offense that is not returning is the captain of last year's offensive line, center Matt Allen.
The key players for the Aggies on offense this year are senior QB Ryan Tannehill, senior RB Cyrus Gray, junior RB Christine Michael, senior WR Jeff Fuller, and junior WR Ryan Swope.
The key players for the Aggies on defense are senior DE Jonathan Mathis, senior DE Tony Jerod-Eddie, senior LB Garrick Williams, junior LB Sean Porter, senior DB Terrence Fredrick, senior DB Coryell Judie, and senior DB Trent Hunter.
To prevent being the undefeated team left out of the championship game, the Aggies must not only win, they must win impressively, especially against the weaker opponents.
This team will be more talented and more experienced. Let's take a look at every matchup and see how I think the Aggies will do this season.
September 4: Vs. SMU
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SMU is back and it will be important that the Aggies don't overlook the once dominant Mustangs. Head coach Mike Sherman lost his first game as the head coach for A&M to Arkansas State at Kyle Field so he will not let his players look past any team.
SMU is coming off of a 7-7 season and is returning 18 starters (10 on offense and eight on defense). They made a bowl for the second time since the program was disbanded in 1987 and will most likely make a bowl again this year. The Mustangs have the talent to win the C-USA.
SMU's Kyle Padron will be back as the starting QB. Last year he passed for 3,828 yards with 31 passing TDs. Starting running back Zach Line will also be back after running for 1,494 yards with 10 TDs last season.
SMU will be a good team and the Aggies will not win as impressively as the 12th Man wants, but in the end, the Aggies and QB Ryan Tannehill will shake off a slow start and come through with a win. The Mustangs will also have to deal with the new Wrecking Crew which will be trying to prove it is as dominant without All-American and second-overall pick in the NFL draft, Von Miller.
Prediction: The offense will get the rust off by the end of the second quarter and add on some late touchdowns to make the score look better for the Aggies, but it will be closer than the score appears: Aggies win 35-10.
September 17: Vs. Idaho.
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I hate saying that a team doesn't have a chance to win, but the only thing keeping this from totally embarrassing the Vandals is Coach Sherman's conscience.
The Vandals only return four starters on offense, but do bring back eight on defense from a 6-7 team. The six teams that they beat had a combined record of 18-55 last season.
Idaho's key players:
Junior RB Ryan Bass transfered from Arizona State and should have some fun running in the WAC. Against the Aggies, however, the 5' 9" 207-lb running back will not be able to use his power to make up for the poor blocking by his offensive line.
Kicker Trey Farquhar made a 50-yard FG last year. While kickers aren't usually recognized for their accomplishments, I am pointing him out because getting a long FG is the only score they get against the Wrecking Crew.
Prediction: Like I said, Sherman won't run the score up, but this one won't be close. This should be the first game the backup QB gets some playing time: Aggies win 55-3.
September 24: Vs. Oklahoma State.
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Last season, the Aggies statistically dominated this game, out-gaining the Cowboys 535-351, but the Cowboys made the plays when they needed to and took advantage of five Aggies turnovers. The now-graduated kicker, Dan Bailey, kicked a 40-yard FG as time expired to give the Aggie a heartbreaking 38-35 loss.
This year, Oklahoma State is coming off of a 11-2 season and a share of the Big 12 South title. They return 9 players on their exceptional Offense but only 5 starters on their already suspect Defense.
Oklahoma State brings back First Team All-Big 12 QB Brandon Weeden who threw for 4,277 yards last year with 34 TDs. They also bring back First Team All-American WR Justin Blackmon who caught 111 passes for 1,782 yards with 20 TDs. They also bring back all 5 starters on the O-Line and should have one of the nations best units.
The Cowboys only have one starting Defensive Lineman and one starting Linebacker returning and should give up plenty of points per game again this season.
They have good, experienced players returning in the secondary and should be the strong point of their shaky Defense.
Prediction: The passing game never gets going but the Aggie O-Line dominates in the trenches and the Wrecking Crew holds up against this potent Cowboy Offense. Aggies win 28-17.
October 1: Vs. Arkansas (@ Dallas Cowboy Stadium)
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This is going to be a good game. Both teams have great fans and you will see that with the 40,000 Aggies and the 40,000 Razorbacks packed into Cowboy Stadium. Two years ago, both teams were coming off of bad seasons(Ark: 5-7 and A&M 4-8 in 2008) and were looking for redemption. The result: The Razorbacks completely demolished the Aggies on the way to a 8-5 season in the tough SEC.
This seasons, both teams are a couple of upsets away from winning their conference and vying for a spot in the National Championship game.
Arkansas is coming off of a 10-3 season last year and are returning 6 starters of Offense and 7 starters on Defense.
Key players that the Razorbacks return are:
Jr. RB Knile Davis who rushed for 1,322 yards on 204 carries(6.5 YPC) for 13 TDs.
Sr. WR Joe Adams who had 50 receptions for 813 yards.
Sr. WR Greg Childs who caught 46 passes for 659 yards.
Sr. LB Jerry Franklin who had 100 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Sr. DB Tramain Thomas who had 83 Tackles and 4 interceptions.
Prediction: The Razorbacks play Alabama the week before and and Auburn the week after they play the Aggies. I just don't see new starting QB Tyler Wilson handling his first tough stretch well enough to beat the Aggies. Aggies win 24-17.
October 8: @ Texas Tech
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Texas Tech will be a good team with a good coach and a good fan base, but they aren't there yet. Tommy Tuberville is good with X's and O's, but he wants Texas Tech to put more emphasis on the running game. The fact is, Tech does not have the personnel to be a good running team at this point. Tech is built to be a passing team and it will take a few years of recruiting to get the right type of players on the team.
The Red Raiders return 7 starters on Offense and 7 starters on Defense from a 8-5 team last year.
On Offense, they return all 5 linemen as well as Senior WR Tramain Swindall(33 receptions, 271 yards, 1 TD) and Junior WR Alex Torres(39 rec, 481 yards, 3 TDs). The Receiving Corps gets a huge boost from Junior College Transfer Marcus Kennard at WR. The QB at this point is expected to be Junior Seth Dodge, who is a downgrade for the Red Raiders at QB.
On Defense, both the DL and the Secondary will be improved from last year. They get back key players Junior LB Cody Davis(87 Tackles), DB Tre Porter(76 Tackles) and Sophomore DB Jarvis Phillips(57 Tackles and 4 Interceptions). The Defense will be learning a new Defense this season as they move to a 4-2-5 this year.
This should be another rebuilding year for Texas Tech.
Prediction: The Aggies have to deal with the rowdy Tech fans at Jones at&t Stadium but they should come out of this one just fine. Aggies win 35-17.
October 15: Vs. Baylor
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Baylor fans are ready for the season to start. Last season was, in their opinion, the greatest year for Baylor football ever. Baylor fans should be embarrassed, however, because their record last year was 7-6. They beat Sam Houston State, Buffalo, Rice, Kansas, Colorado, Kansas State, and an overrated Texas team. That is not a very impressive resume, in my opinion.
Baylor returns 9 starters on Offense and 5 starters on Defense from last year's team.
Robert Griffin returns from a statistically amazing year with 3,401 yards passing and 808 yards rushing. He had 22 Passing TDs and 8 rushing TDs. What the stats don't tell is his attitude problem. If Griffin is having a difficult time, he will give up.
WRs Kendall Wright(78 receptions, 952 yards, 7 TDs) and Josh Gordon (42 receptions, 714 yards, 7 TDs) will be back to give Griffin weapons, which he will need if they expect to win any Big 12 games.
Key Players on Defense for the Bears are Sophomore DE Trevin Elliot(36 tackles and 5 sacks) and Sophomore LB Ahmad Dixon(16 tackles). After that, the talent on Defense drops off.
It will be a difficult season for Baylor and their fans.
Prediction: Baylor will not be good this season, but since they always play up for the Aggies, this one will be closer than it should be. Aggies win 35-27.
October 22: @ Iowa State
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As bad as Baylor is, Iowa State will be worse. From their 5-7 team last year, they only return 5 starters on Offense and 7 starters on Defense.
On Offense the Cyclones lose their leading Rusher, Alex Robinson. Also gone is QB Austen Arnaud who had a good year last year with the Cyclones. They bring back 4 of the starters on the O-Line and Junior QB Steele Jantz and Sophomore RB Shontrelle Johnson look to fill the void left by Robinson and Arnaud.
On Defense, the Cyclones bring back 5 of their 6 leading tacklers in Junior LB Jake Knott (130 Tackles and 4 Interceptions), Junior LB A.J. Klein (111 Tackles, 8 Tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions), Senior DB Leonard Johnson, Junior DB Jeremy Reeves, and Senior DB Ter'Ran Benton.
The Defense will show some talent, but their Offense won't do enough to keep them in many Big 12 games.
Senior Kicker Grant Mahoney kicked a 57 yard FG last year. Expect him to Kick a few long FGs this game.
Prediction: The Cyclones Defense will do alright, but will be worn out by the end. Expect the Aggies to be leading comfortably the whole game and then add on some late touchdown to make this one look like a blowout. Aggies win 37-6.
October 29: Vs. Missouri.
8 of 12If I were Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel, I would be extremely worried about this game. Last year the Tigers came in and completely demolished the Aggies. After the 30-9 loss AT KYLE FIELD, it appeared that Texas A&M would be searching for a new Head Coach. After Mike Sherman and his Texas Aggie Football team turned the season around to finish 9-4, they are out to redeem themselves against Missouri. Thanks to the realignment of the Big 12, the Aggies will be playing Missouri at Kyle Field for the second year in a row.
The good news for the Tigers is that they have 9 returning starters on Offense. The bad news for the Tigers is that QB Blaine Gabbert is not one of them.
The new QB, Sophomore James Franklin, will have every player back from last years Offense with the exception of 1st Team All-Big 12 Center Tim Barnes.
Junior WR, T.J. Moe caught 92 passes for 1,045 yards and 6 TDs, and Senior TE Michael Egnew caught 90 passes for 762 yards and 5 TDs.
On Defense, it is a different story, however. They only return 6 starters and only 3 of their top 9 tacklers from last year.
Their Defensive line will be salty with Senior Jacquies Smith(35 Tackles and 5.5 Sacks), Senior Terrell Resonno(35 Tackles), and Junior Brad Madison(who did not Start last year, but still had 32 Tackles, and 7.5 Sacks).
LBs that return are Junior Zaviar Gooden(85 Tackles) and Senior Will Ebner(47 Tackles)
The Secondary only returns Senior DB Kenji Jackson(66 Tackles)
Prediction: By the time this game rolls around, this inexperienced secondary will be much better than they were at the beginning of the season, but Aggie QB Ryan Tannehill will have a field day with the Missouri Secondary. Aggies win 35-28.
November 5: @ Oklahoma
9 of 12The 2011 Oklahoma Sooners are predicted by some to be the favorites for the National Title. I can't say I disagree with them.
Before last season,the last time the Aggies beat the Sooners was in 2002. In 2003, the Aggies went to Norman and were crushed 77-0. The thing that Head Coach Bob Stoops hates more than anything is losing, and the one thing Stoops loves more than anything is getting payback. On top of that, the Sooners are 61-2 at home in the last 10 years. If the Aggies don't fight until the end, this one could get ugly.
The Sooners return 17 starters from last year's 12-2 squad.
On Offense, the Sooner lose RB DeMarco Murray but replace him with a True Freshman stud named Brandon Williams. Junior QB Landry Jones returns after throwing for 4,718 yards with 38 TDs. 1st Team All-American Senior WR Ryan Broyles(131 receptions, 1622 yards, 14 TDs) and 1st Team Freshman All-American WR Kenny Stills(61 receptions, 786 yards, 5 TDs) both return for the Sooners. The Sooners Return 4 of the 5 Starting Linemen from last year.
On Defense, the Sooners suffered a devastating loss on May 19, 2011 when Starting LB Austin Box was found unconscious in a friends house and later pronounced dead at a Hospital in Oklahoma City. The Sooner Defense will no doubt be thinking of Box when playing this year.
Sophomore LB Corey Nelson, who told the Aggies he would be committing to A&M, but decided to mail in his Oklahoma letter of intent several hours later, could take Box's spot as starting LB.
Key players in Oklahoma's Defense are Senior LB Travis Lewis(109 Tackles) and Senior DE Frank Alexander(39 Tackles and 7 Sacks).
Prediction: At Kyle Field, I believe the Aggies pull this one out. At Norman, however, I believe the Sooners have a comfortable lead for most of the game and tack on some late touchdowns to help their BCS ranking. Sooners win 42-17.
November 12: @ Kansas State
10 of 12Kansas State is coming off of a 7-6 season and has 14 returning starters. They also have Sophomore RB transfer Bryce Brown coming in and he should do well in his career at Kansas State. The Kansas State Offense will be okay, but nothing special due to a below average Offensive Line(only 2 returning starters).
The Defense returns 8 its top 9 tacklers and will be much improved from last year. The Key returning Defensive players are Senior DB David Garrett(92 tackles and 12 tackles for loss), Senior DB Tysyn Hartmann(86 tackles), and Sophomore DB Ty Zimmerman(74 tackles and 3 Interceptions).
None of this matters.
Mike Sherman remembers what Bill Snyder and his Kansas State Wildcats did to the Aggies in 2009 when they ran the score up on the Aggies. Finally the clock ran out with the score 62-14. Sherman is not one to run up the score, but he will remember back to 2009 towards the end of this game.
Add the fact that the Aggies will be looking for redemption from a tough loss in Norman the week before, I would hate to be a Wildcat fan on November 12th.
Prediction: Sherman will not have mercy on the opponents in this one after what happened in 2009 and will embarrass the Wildcats in Kansas. Aggies win 55-17.
November 19: Vs. Kansas
11 of 12The Jayhawks return 15 starters from a 3-9 season. Head Coach, Turner Gill could find it just as hard to get wins this year. On top of having little talent, Defensive Coordinator Carl Torbush, who was the Defensive Coordinator at A&M from 2003-2005, announced his retirement due to health problems in May.
It will be interesting to see who will be the starting QB for the Jayhawks as the favorite to start, True Freshman Brock Berglund had "personal circumstances" arise in the spring. With no spring practice, Sophomore Jordan Webb becomes the favorite to start the season as the QB. However, by the time this game rolls around, whether Berglund, Webb, or Senior Junior College Transfer Quinn Mecham is starting is anyones guess.
Key players on Offense for the Jayhawks are Sophomore RB James Sims, who had 742 yard on 168 attempts with 9 TDs, and Senior WR Daymond Patterson, who had 487 yards on 60 receptions.
The key player on Defense is Senior LB Steven Johnson(95 tackles).
Prediction: Kansas will be the worst team in the Big 12 and the Aggies will win easily. Aggies win 42-7.
November 24: Vs. Texas
12 of 12Coming off of their worst season in decades, the Longhorns only return 13 starter from their 5-7 squad.
Most people believe that the Longhorns will bounce back the season, but I am not so sure. Garrett Gilbert returns after a terrible season(2,744 yards, 10 TDs, 17 Interceptions) but again, I am not sure that is a good thing.
By the second to last game of the season for the Longhorns, expect the Starting QB to be Case McCoy, who is the younger brother of legendary Texas QB Colt McCoy. Case McCoy may be at his best as a WR, but the Longhorns will need more help at QB this season.
The Offensive Line was terrible last year and only 2 starters are returning from the unit.
Malcolm Brown comes in as a True Freshman and is much more talented than any RB on the roster last year, but with nobody blocking for him, he should have a tough time finding room to run.
Key Players on defense are Senior LB Keenan Robinson(113 Tackles), Senior LB Emmanuel Acho(87 tackles and 9 Tackles for Loss), and Senior DB Blake Gideon(68 Tackles).
Prediction: After not making a bowl last year, Texas may be in the same boat this year. This game very well could be a must win for the Longhorns, but it won't make a difference. Aggies win 28-13.
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