Texas A&M Football: 10 New Year's Resolutions for the Aggies

Texas A&M didn't have its ideal year. Returning one of the best teams in the Big 12, the Aggies had big plans but finished with small results. A berth in the Texas Bowl against Northwestern and a mediocre 6-6 record, nothing seemed to go A&M's way. 

With their bowl game falling on New Year's Eve, A&M will have a whole new feeling emerging from Reliant Stadium. Win or lose, this horrid season will be over. The football program will officially be a part of the SEC, the seniors will graduate and move on, and those left behind will start anew.

The New Year is the time to make resolutions. It's the time to decide what to change, what to fix, and where to improve. Like a phoenix emerging reborn from its own ashes, Texas A&M is getting a whole new start in a much different conference. 

We take a look at what resolutions the Aggies need to make for 2012 to make sure they don't move backwards in the conference that doesn't tolerate failure well.

A&M Offensive Line

Resolution: Continue to Improve

The Aggies' O-Line was one of the best in the country this season. Only allowing eight sacks on the year, they all have experience, talent, and size on their side.

As next season rolls around, A&M will be returning as a sophomore Cedric Ogbuehi, as juniors Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, and as seniors Brian Thomas and Patrick Lewis. All played this year for A&M and share years of time on the field together.

With a senior running back like Christine Michael occupying the backfield next season, the running game should provide a nice crutch for the young QB who will be taking over Tannehill's position.  

Kevin Sumlin

Resolution: Find a Defensive Coordinator

After A&M hired offensive-minded Kevin Sumlin to take over the duties of Mike Sherman, I had a lot of doubts. Sumlin is all about one side of the ball. He focuses on the offense and because of that, likes to win by scoring more points rather than stopping the other team. That has to change.

Sumlin is now entering the SEC. This is no west coast; it is where offenses go to die. 

The defensive coordinator under Mike Sherman was former Air Force DC Tim DeRuyter. He would have been the perfect fit for the job he already had, but was instead stolen away by Fresno State. Now, Texas A&M is left with a lot of talent of that side of the ball and no one to coach them.

Sumlin needs to find a defensive coordinator and fast. The best option out there who should be former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops. After being fired mid-season, Stoops would be a great choice. He ran the defense for his brother at Oklahoma and now needs to prove himself again after failing out in the desert. 

A&M Offense

Resolution: Play Consistently 

You could never tell which Aggie offense was about to come out onto the field. It could be the one that scores touchdowns in mere plays or the one that stalls after just three plays. 

For such a loaded and talented side of the ball, A&M just couldn't seem to be consistent. New head coach Kevin Sumlin could be the solution to that problem, but it is certainly something that needs to be addressed. 

A&M Secondary

Resolution: Cover Receivers

The A&M secondary certainly improved throughout the season, but allowing 280 yards on average in the air is completely unacceptable. Quarterbacks will tear apart the Aggies through the passing game if this isn't fixed.

Losing three of their four starters in the secondary, new and inexperienced talent will be taking over. This may be the solution while also being a curse. It all depends who is coaching them and who A&M faces and when.

Just this past season, Tyler Wilson of Arkansas had a career game against this secondary. It was like watching surgery. That can not continue.

A&M Tight Ends

Resolution: Do Something

The Aggies have a lot of talent at tight end. Returning as juniors, Hutson Prioleau and Nehemiah Hicks both have a lot of talent with not a lot of production. They really didn't do much when they could have been key parts of both the passing and running games.

Both young and with much to learn, they are huge targets. That kind of size is valuable when in the red zone and with a young QB like Manziel coming in, they will both need to step it up. 

A&M Defense

Resolution: Create More Turnovers

The Aggies had a horrible turnover margin of -8 on the season. Despite creating 15, they lost 23 and in key games, a fumble or quick interception can be the difference. 

Overall, only grabbing eight fumbles and seven interceptions is weak. Despite top-notch sack totals, A&M couldn't seem to pressure more fumbles or force more interceptions on a weekly basis. For the defense to be successful in a highly dangerous SEC, it needs to create more turnovers.  

Christine Michael

Resolution: Stop Getting Hurt

The back from Beaumont, Texas is one of the best in the country. Getting some real solid playing time since he was a sophomore, he has Heisman potential that is quelled by killer injuries. 

Sustaining a leg injury last year during the Texas Tech game, he was fortunate to have junior Cyrus Gray there to take the load. This season, Michael came back with a vengeance only to be hurt again during the Oklahoma game. Once again, Cyrus Gray had to take the load.

Next year, these injuries need to be put on hold. There is no more Cyrus Gray to take over if Michael sustains a third season ending injury. He is the big man on campus and will need to be there for his young QB. He's a true power back, but needs to start running a little smarter.

The Entire Team

Resolution: Finish Games

This is a major problem. The Aggies had late leads in every one of their losses except against Oklahoma. That's five games that could have gone their way if they had shut down the other team's offense on third down or gained a first down in a crucial play with minutes left. 

A&M led Oklahoma State by 17 at the half, yet lost by a point. They led Arkansas by 18 at the half, yet lost by four points. They led Missouri by 11 at the half, yet lost in overtime by seven. They had K-State on the ropes in the fourth quarter, yet lost in quadruple overtime by three. They led Texas with just around two minutes to go, yet lost by two. 

Not finishing out games is completely and utterly the most disappointing thing that can happen to a team of young men. They say losing by a close margin is worse than losing in a blowout. They are right. 

Johnny Manziel

Resolution: Revive the Program

High school superstar Johnny Manziel out of Kerrville, Texas is one of the best ever to commit to A&M. Redshirted this season, he will be entering 2012 as a redshirt freshman and the Aggies' new starting QB.

With a cannon for an arm and accuracy that is off the charts, this kid is the man to have in your backfield. With a little experience under his belt and some practice with offensive-minded head coach Kevin Sumlin, this kid will be a danger in the SEC.

He can be the one who revives a program that has lately dragged its feet. Watch for him to do just that.  

The Aggies

Resolution: Become a Threat in the SEC West

This will be a high calling, but A&M has all the talent on both sides of the ball to really pose a huge threat to Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas. The most powerful division in the country, the SEC West will cut you up and spit you out with no regret. 

Of the three toughest squads in the country, A&M will face off against LSU at home, Alabama away, and Arkansas at home or in Cowboy Stadium (still undecided). Two of the three are winnable with some luck.

Establishing yourself as a threat in this division would be a huge step in the right direction for this program. A&M has the potential, now they just have to go out and do it.