Pre-season prediction
July 28, 2005Fearless Predictions
Troy Miller Websider.com Senior Writer
August is less than a week away, which means that training camp for Texas A&M and the rest of Division I college football is just around the corner. With the season so close, it's about time to look at A&M's schedule and give some way too early predictions to the season.
Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione is entering his third year at the helm of the Aggies.
September 3, 2005: A&M at CLEMSON
The Aggies leave Texas for the season opener – a night game on ABC in Death Valley. Starting the season off on the road against an ACC team is not exactly desirable, especially in a season as crucial as 2005 is for third-year A&M coach Dennis Franchione.
Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden is on the hot seat as the Tigers have scraped two mediocre seasons together despite having one of the most respected quarterbacks in senior Charlie Whitehurst. Bowden needs a good start to the season and a win over a nationally ranked team like A&M would be a very nice beginning.
Clemson will test A&M's young and depleted secondary with their spread offense, but the Tigers are not as efficient at it as some other spread offenses on A&M's schedule. Even with Whitehurst, the Tigers should have a tough time moving the ball, especially in the first game of the season when offenses haven't had enough time to click.
A&M, on the other hand, has quarterback Reggie McNeal, running back Courtney Lewis and the option to fall back on if the passing game isn't quite up to par yet.
An A&M win could propel the Aggies to a great season, while a loss would be devastating. With both teams having a lot to play for so early, and it being at night in South Carolina, this game will be closer than some expect.
A&M 34 Clemson 24
September 17, 2005: SMU at A&M
The home opener for the Aggies is a familiar foe to any Aggie who attended A&M before 1996 as the SMU Mustangs come back to Kyle Field to renew the old SWC rivalry at 11:30 a.m. on Fox Sports Net.
The only difference is that SMU is still not the same team as it was before the Death Penalty was enforced in the 1980s. But nevertheless, SMU will have something to prove as they play one of the flagship universities in their home state of Texas.
Even if SMU comes in with head full of steam, this game is a failure if back up quarterbacks Stephen McGee and Ty Branyon aren't getting plenty of repetitions in the second half.
A&M 56 SMU 13
September 24, 2005 TEXAS STATE at A&M
The Aggies welcome Division I-AA foe Texas State to Kyle Field for their last non-conference game of the season. If the bobcats keep the score within 50, consider it a moral victory for the boys from San Marcos.
A&M 73 Texas State 9
October 1, 2005 BAYLOR at A&M
With the upset to Baylor fresh in A&M's mind – mainly because Waco is still dancing, or, uh, talking about it – the Aggies have revenge in sight.
The Bears are better, though, this season than they were a year ago, but that won't keep the Aggies from piling up the score. Expect a new win streak in the Battle on the Brazos to begin in favor of A&M.
A&M 55 Baylor 17
A&M senior quarterback Reggie McNeal is a Heisman hopeful entering his final season.
October 8, 2005 A&M at Colorado
This road game into the altitude could spell trouble for the Aggies, especially if Colorado begins the season well and has momentum going into the game. It will be Homecoming in Boulder as well, which always seems to bring the best out in teams.
But A&M has a knack for ruining homecomings – just see Oklahoma State a season ago for an example of that.
The Buffaloes are favored by many to win the Big 12 North again, but that would be good enough for maybe fifth in the South.
The could be a stumbling block for the Aggies, but with a win over Clemson on the road in a hostile environment already under their belts, they'll be able to handle Colorado as well.
A&M 37 Colorado 31
October 15, 2005 OKLAHOMA STATE at A&M
The Cowboys come to College Station with a severely depleted ground game after losing running back Vernand Morency to the NFL.
Their running game will most likely come primarily from whoever wins the quarterback battle in Stillwater, redshirt freshman Robbie Reid or sophomore Donovan Woods.
Either way, the Cowboys aren't close to being as good as they were last season, which turned out to be good enough for fifth in the Big 12 South despite the early season wins.
A&M 45 Oklahoma State 20
October 22, 2005 A&M at KANSAS STATE
A trip to Manhattan, Kan., would usually spell doom for most Big 12 teams, but A&M has had the Wildcats' number. Since upsetting Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship game in 1998, the Aggies have not lost to coach Bill Snyder's team.
That's four in a row for the Aggies. With Kansas State fielding arguably their worst team since the inception of the Big 12, expect A&M to make it five.
A&M 48 Kansas State 31
October 29, 2005 IOWA STATE at A&M
The Cyclones are one of the intriguing teams in the North after narrowly missing out on a division title a season ago. Two sophomores, quarterback Bret Meyer and wide receiver Todd Blythe, lead a dangerous Cyclone attack.
But by the middle of the season, and if the Aggies are undefeated at this point, momentum alone will keep the Cyclones from making a game of it in Kyle Field.
A&M 34 Iowa State 17
November 5, 2005 A&M at TEXAS TECH
This is the first game in end-of-the-year gauntlet on the Aggies' schedule as they travel to Lubbock to face the Red Raiders.
Tech might have their best team under coach Mike Leach in 2005, making the talk in Lubbock centered on a 10-win season. With returning receiver Jarrett Hicks and running back Taurean Henderson that is a definite possibility.
This game will have lots of scoring, and a lot will depend on how A&M's young and thin secondary had grown to throughout the season. If the defensive backs have proven themselves, than A&M will have an excellent chance at pulling off their first win in Lubbock since 1993.
Without an improved secondary, the streak will most likely continue.
Texas Tech 45 A&M 41
Associated Press
A&M running back Courtney Lewis will be the starting running back for A&M in 2005.
November 12, 2005 A&M at OKLAHOMA
With Oklahoma losing tons of starters to graduation or the NFL Draft, the Sooners are in, what seems to be, a rebuilding year. But in Norman, rebuilding years aren't too bad as most second-string players would start for most Big 12 teams.
In other words, the Sooners will still be at the top of the Big 12 South when push comes to shove.
If A&M were to play OU earlier in the season, then a seasoned Aggie team would definitely have a shot at the upset in Norman. But playing after the Sooners have had time to mesh will most likely spell doom for A&M.
It should be a highly entertaining game, but expect the Sooners to pull out the victory in the end.
Oklahoma 34 A&M 30
November 25, 2005 TEXAS at A&M
A&M is hoping to break the five-game spell that the Longhorns own over them in McNeal's final year at the helm.
Despite all the hype surrounding the Longhorns, there offense is still strictly one-dimensional with junior quarterback Vince Young. He is a tremendous athlete, but a passing game will be non-existent. With running back Cedric Benson in the NFL, the Longhorns will have to find another back to take the load off Young behind arguably the best offensive line in college football.
If they can't find another back, then Young will be a marked man and the Longhorns offensive will flutter.
The defense, though, is still one of the best in the country and will wreak havoc all day for the Aggies. But if there was a season for A&M to finally break the streak – this is the one.
A&M 27 Texas 24
With a 9-2 season under their belt, the A&M will still have a crack at the Big 12 South crown with four teams – A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Tech – all having a shot at the spot in the championship game in Houston.
A nice bowl game will be in the fold once again for A&M. Expect to see them in either the Cotton Bowl again, or in San Diego at the Holiday Bowl.
"Rather than comparing ourselves to someone else, we want the intercollegiate athletic world comparing itself to us. We want to see beads of sweat break out on every forehead in the Big 12 because of what we're doing," Byrne said. "Teams across America need to know that when you play the Aggies in any sport, you'd better tape your ankles."
July 28, 2005Fearless Predictions
Troy Miller Websider.com Senior Writer
August is less than a week away, which means that training camp for Texas A&M and the rest of Division I college football is just around the corner. With the season so close, it's about time to look at A&M's schedule and give some way too early predictions to the season.
Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione is entering his third year at the helm of the Aggies.
September 3, 2005: A&M at CLEMSON
The Aggies leave Texas for the season opener – a night game on ABC in Death Valley. Starting the season off on the road against an ACC team is not exactly desirable, especially in a season as crucial as 2005 is for third-year A&M coach Dennis Franchione.
Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden is on the hot seat as the Tigers have scraped two mediocre seasons together despite having one of the most respected quarterbacks in senior Charlie Whitehurst. Bowden needs a good start to the season and a win over a nationally ranked team like A&M would be a very nice beginning.
Clemson will test A&M's young and depleted secondary with their spread offense, but the Tigers are not as efficient at it as some other spread offenses on A&M's schedule. Even with Whitehurst, the Tigers should have a tough time moving the ball, especially in the first game of the season when offenses haven't had enough time to click.
A&M, on the other hand, has quarterback Reggie McNeal, running back Courtney Lewis and the option to fall back on if the passing game isn't quite up to par yet.
An A&M win could propel the Aggies to a great season, while a loss would be devastating. With both teams having a lot to play for so early, and it being at night in South Carolina, this game will be closer than some expect.
A&M 34 Clemson 24
September 17, 2005: SMU at A&M
The home opener for the Aggies is a familiar foe to any Aggie who attended A&M before 1996 as the SMU Mustangs come back to Kyle Field to renew the old SWC rivalry at 11:30 a.m. on Fox Sports Net.
The only difference is that SMU is still not the same team as it was before the Death Penalty was enforced in the 1980s. But nevertheless, SMU will have something to prove as they play one of the flagship universities in their home state of Texas.
Even if SMU comes in with head full of steam, this game is a failure if back up quarterbacks Stephen McGee and Ty Branyon aren't getting plenty of repetitions in the second half.
A&M 56 SMU 13
September 24, 2005 TEXAS STATE at A&M
The Aggies welcome Division I-AA foe Texas State to Kyle Field for their last non-conference game of the season. If the bobcats keep the score within 50, consider it a moral victory for the boys from San Marcos.
A&M 73 Texas State 9
October 1, 2005 BAYLOR at A&M
With the upset to Baylor fresh in A&M's mind – mainly because Waco is still dancing, or, uh, talking about it – the Aggies have revenge in sight.
The Bears are better, though, this season than they were a year ago, but that won't keep the Aggies from piling up the score. Expect a new win streak in the Battle on the Brazos to begin in favor of A&M.
A&M 55 Baylor 17
A&M senior quarterback Reggie McNeal is a Heisman hopeful entering his final season.
October 8, 2005 A&M at Colorado
This road game into the altitude could spell trouble for the Aggies, especially if Colorado begins the season well and has momentum going into the game. It will be Homecoming in Boulder as well, which always seems to bring the best out in teams.
But A&M has a knack for ruining homecomings – just see Oklahoma State a season ago for an example of that.
The Buffaloes are favored by many to win the Big 12 North again, but that would be good enough for maybe fifth in the South.
The could be a stumbling block for the Aggies, but with a win over Clemson on the road in a hostile environment already under their belts, they'll be able to handle Colorado as well.
A&M 37 Colorado 31
October 15, 2005 OKLAHOMA STATE at A&M
The Cowboys come to College Station with a severely depleted ground game after losing running back Vernand Morency to the NFL.
Their running game will most likely come primarily from whoever wins the quarterback battle in Stillwater, redshirt freshman Robbie Reid or sophomore Donovan Woods.
Either way, the Cowboys aren't close to being as good as they were last season, which turned out to be good enough for fifth in the Big 12 South despite the early season wins.
A&M 45 Oklahoma State 20
October 22, 2005 A&M at KANSAS STATE
A trip to Manhattan, Kan., would usually spell doom for most Big 12 teams, but A&M has had the Wildcats' number. Since upsetting Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship game in 1998, the Aggies have not lost to coach Bill Snyder's team.
That's four in a row for the Aggies. With Kansas State fielding arguably their worst team since the inception of the Big 12, expect A&M to make it five.
A&M 48 Kansas State 31
October 29, 2005 IOWA STATE at A&M
The Cyclones are one of the intriguing teams in the North after narrowly missing out on a division title a season ago. Two sophomores, quarterback Bret Meyer and wide receiver Todd Blythe, lead a dangerous Cyclone attack.
But by the middle of the season, and if the Aggies are undefeated at this point, momentum alone will keep the Cyclones from making a game of it in Kyle Field.
A&M 34 Iowa State 17
November 5, 2005 A&M at TEXAS TECH
This is the first game in end-of-the-year gauntlet on the Aggies' schedule as they travel to Lubbock to face the Red Raiders.
Tech might have their best team under coach Mike Leach in 2005, making the talk in Lubbock centered on a 10-win season. With returning receiver Jarrett Hicks and running back Taurean Henderson that is a definite possibility.
This game will have lots of scoring, and a lot will depend on how A&M's young and thin secondary had grown to throughout the season. If the defensive backs have proven themselves, than A&M will have an excellent chance at pulling off their first win in Lubbock since 1993.
Without an improved secondary, the streak will most likely continue.
Texas Tech 45 A&M 41
Associated Press
A&M running back Courtney Lewis will be the starting running back for A&M in 2005.
November 12, 2005 A&M at OKLAHOMA
With Oklahoma losing tons of starters to graduation or the NFL Draft, the Sooners are in, what seems to be, a rebuilding year. But in Norman, rebuilding years aren't too bad as most second-string players would start for most Big 12 teams.
In other words, the Sooners will still be at the top of the Big 12 South when push comes to shove.
If A&M were to play OU earlier in the season, then a seasoned Aggie team would definitely have a shot at the upset in Norman. But playing after the Sooners have had time to mesh will most likely spell doom for A&M.
It should be a highly entertaining game, but expect the Sooners to pull out the victory in the end.
Oklahoma 34 A&M 30
November 25, 2005 TEXAS at A&M
A&M is hoping to break the five-game spell that the Longhorns own over them in McNeal's final year at the helm.
Despite all the hype surrounding the Longhorns, there offense is still strictly one-dimensional with junior quarterback Vince Young. He is a tremendous athlete, but a passing game will be non-existent. With running back Cedric Benson in the NFL, the Longhorns will have to find another back to take the load off Young behind arguably the best offensive line in college football.
If they can't find another back, then Young will be a marked man and the Longhorns offensive will flutter.
The defense, though, is still one of the best in the country and will wreak havoc all day for the Aggies. But if there was a season for A&M to finally break the streak – this is the one.
A&M 27 Texas 24
With a 9-2 season under their belt, the A&M will still have a crack at the Big 12 South crown with four teams – A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Tech – all having a shot at the spot in the championship game in Houston.
A nice bowl game will be in the fold once again for A&M. Expect to see them in either the Cotton Bowl again, or in San Diego at the Holiday Bowl.
"Rather than comparing ourselves to someone else, we want the intercollegiate athletic world comparing itself to us. We want to see beads of sweat break out on every forehead in the Big 12 because of what we're doing," Byrne said. "Teams across America need to know that when you play the Aggies in any sport, you'd better tape your ankles."
