College Football: Texas A&M vs. SMU News and Notes

Texas A&M leads the all time series with SMU 41-29-7. The last time SMU beat A&M was in 1984. The 1984 Mustangs went to a bowl game for an SMU record third year in a row. If the 2011 version of the Ponies go bowling, they will tie that record.

Freshman Tyrell Taylor is listed on the A&M two-deep behind Sean Porter at the drop OLB spot. Expect Taylor to see a lot of playing time as a pass rusher on 3rd down. Taylor entered camp at 205 pounds and was expected to redshirt to add weight. Taylor impressed the coaches with an explosive first step and his play forced them to put him on the field as a freshman.

SMU junior DE Margus Hunt holds the NCAA record with 10 blocked kicks in his career. The 6'8" 295 Estonian came to SMU to participate in track. When SMU dropped their track team, Hunt took up football. Hunt is the only athlete to ever win the gold medal in the shot put and discus at the World Junior Championships.

Senior WR Jeff Fuller needs only 10 receptions and 337 yards to set the career marks at A&M for receptions and receiving yards. Fuller already owns the career TD mark with 28. Fuller tied the single season reception record with 72 in 2010, when he also set the single season yardage mark with 1,066.

Both A&M QB Ryan Tannehill and SMU QB Kyle Padron are on the watch list for the Manning Award. The Manning Award is the only national award that takes the bowl game performance into consideration. Both QBs are also on the Davey O'Brien watch list.

SMU returns a 3,000 yard passer (Padron), a 1,000 yard rusher (Zach Line) and a 1,000 yard receiver (Cole Beasley) for the first time in school history. A&M returns a 1,000 yard rusher (Cyrus Gray) and a 1,000 yard receiver (Fuller) for the first time in school history.

SMU has not won a conference title in football since 1984. Texas A&M has not won a conference title in football since 1998.

SMU and Texas A&M both return veteran teams. SMU returns 18 starters on their offense and defense. Texas A&M returns 18 starters on their offense and defense. The Aggies will most miss All-American OLB Von Miller who was the No. 2 pick overall in the NFL draft. SMU will most miss WR Aldrick Robinson who was a sixth-round selection by the Washington Redskins in the NFL draft.