Aggies leave no doubt

SilverEagle · January 7, 2013

Deep down, every Aggie would trade this spectacular season for a 6-6 season including a win against the Longhorns as long as Manziel still got the Heisman. I've never seen a school revere a spare Heisman winner like the Aggies revere that one dude with 3 names (don't care to look him up). That's just how every Aggie is wired. And by wired, I mean brainwashed upon setting foot on campus: a football season is wasted without a win against the Longhorns.
Think UNT VS SMU, except times a million. This has been the M.O. of just about every Aggie I've ever known.

I've been wondering since A$M moved to the SEC and ended the UT rivalry, are they going to look into changing the words to their fight song? I mean, it sounded pathetic enough when they actually played one another every year.....but now?

Yeah, I know. Since they left the conference AND the rivalry, the words now make more sense than they ever did (goodbye to TU, so long to the Orange and white). But a goodbye song should be sung only once. Or in this case, one season.

Because, once you keep singing the same words YEARS after the break-up, much like the NT t-shirts that say "NT PRIDE or SEE YOU AT THE GAME or MEAN GREEN AND PROUD OF IT", everyone wonders "who are you trying to convince, me or you"?

Edited January 7, 2013 by SilverEagle

untjim1995 · January 7, 2013

My two cents on this is that the Aggies used the LHN to get what they finally wanted. They've wanted in the SEC for over 2 decades so as to get out from underneath big brother's shadow, but the political pressure in Austin was not going to let that happen--until the LHN came around. The Aggies, without argument, could claim that this network was creating a huge stream of $$$ for Texas and a recruiting advantage by originally saying that Texas HS games would be aired. They could now say that they had to look out for their best interests, too. Plus, they would be leaving by themselves, so Baylor and Texas Tech still had UT to play in the Big XII with, and of course, they added TCU.

I think DeLoss Dodds thought that the Big XII leftovers would be just fine with games on the LHN, since the conference would basically go under of they ever leave with Oklahoma. I think ESPN thought this, too. But when Tech put up a fit about playing a conference game on the LHN and the other Texas and Oklahoma teams all said they were against playing on it, too, that the next step was to buy a game on the LHN from one of the Big XII North teams. ESPN didn't pay 300 million dollars to just get Texas' games against ULM and NM State, plus a conference game against KU or ISU.

As for A&M, they wanted to keep the series going, but Texas, rightfully so, told them no thanks, since A&M left on their own accord. Obviously, the other Big XII schools followed suit, just as they have done wth Mizzou, too. I think the folks who thought the Aggies were going to be Arkansas 2.0 were very short-sighted. No one in their right mind could have imagined this year would be A&M's jumpstart in the SEC, but I felt like this was very possible for A&M to achieve eventually in the SEC, just as long as the conference membership didn't include Texas or Oklahoma. A&M has the SEC advantage all to themselves in this state. You can play in that league and stay close to home. You can get a great education and play at a great stadium in a great league, one that is better than the one you left behind. Now, the college football gods work it out to have freaking Northern Illinois from the MAC take OU's place in a BCS bowl game, thus creating a matchup made in heaven for A&M. They got OU in Dallas, just as Texas always does, but instead of getting prison-raped like the Longhorns have done in the last few years against OU, the Aggies jumped all over the Sooners. Now, the recruiting spoils will be theirs. Texas, it would appear, will now have to fight for recruits in this state against a program that has passed them by and now they cannot beat them on the field to reverse course, like they did in the old SWC/Big XII. And, Oklahoma, while pasting Texas each fall, still cannot beat anyone in a big bowl game, and they lost a huge chance at increasing their recruiting in Texas by getting creamed in the Cotton Bowl.

If Sumlin and Manziel win big in 2013, the Aggies have a real probability of becoming the top school to go to in the Southwest. Manziel doesn't appear to be an NFL-caliber QB yet, so the Aggies have that advantage, too, since he will be there for at least two more years. And they got the real advantage of Sherman recruiting guys that could become NFL ready, since he was a guru at recruiting and developing linemen, but couldn't close the deal as a head coach. Sumlin may falter eventually once this talent leaves CS, but if not, this could be a long run for the Aggies. The Longhorns and Sooners are gonna sell recruits on games at Iowa State, Kansas, K-State, O-State, TCU, Tech, and Baylor, while A&M sells games at LSU, Alabama, etc...if A&M can keep winning, this won't work out well for either Texas or Oklahoma for the long-term, recruiting-wise.

LongJim · January 7, 2013

If Sumlin and Manziel win big in 2013, the Aggies have a real probability of becoming the top school to go to in the Southwest. Manziel doesn't appear to be an NFL-caliber QB yet, so the Aggies have that advantage, too, since he will be there for at least two more years. And they got the real advantage of Sherman recruiting guys that could become NFL ready, since he was a guru at recruiting and developing linemen, but couldn't close the deal as a head coach. Sumlin may falter eventually once this talent leaves CS, but if not, this could be a long run for the Aggies. The Longhorns and Sooners are gonna sell recruits on games at Iowa State, Kansas, K-State, O-State, TCU, Tech, and Baylor, while A&M sells games at LSU, Alabama, etc...if A&M can keep winning, this won't work out well for either Texas or Oklahoma for the long-term, recruiting-wise.

These are good observations, and spot-on in my opinion. But keep in mind that things run in cycles. aTm is on the upswing right now. And good for them. They have a real shot at being a pre-season #1 next year. Time for them to actually bring home some hardware and make it happen.

untjim1995 · January 7, 2013

These are good observations, and spot-on in my opinion. But keep in mind that things run in cycles. aTm is on the upswing right now. And good for them. They have a real shot at being a pre-season #1 next year. Time for them to actually bring home some hardware and make it happen.

I agree with you. They have a chance, but that is one injury--or arrest--away from dissolving quickly. It just feels like 1985 again in these parts. I could see this thing having legs for another decade ahead, like they did back when Texas fell back in the old SWC. OU was good for the latter parts of the 80s, but as soon as Switzer left, their run ended, too. Of course, those schools were in different leagues, and Arkansas left as the other SWC power, while Nebraska and Colorado quickly thumped Oklahoma back down the old Big Eight standings. Funny thing is, now all of those former Big Eight power schools are ALL in different leagues today. No matter what, Sumlin was smart enough to understand what Sherman had left him, he had an offense that was perfect for his Tazmanian Devil QB, and they really finished strong. With 8 games at Kyle Field in 2013, you could see a big chance at being #1 next year. We also have to remember, though, that A&M's history is full of falling short of expectations, too.

emmitt01 · January 7, 2013

Deep down, every Aggie would trade this spectacular season for a 6-6 season including a win against the Longhorns as long as Manziel still got the Heisman. I've never seen a school revere a spare Heisman winner like the Aggies revere that one dude with 3 names (don't care to look him up). That's just how every Aggie is wired. And by wired, I mean brainwashed upon setting foot on campus: a football season is wasted without a win against the Longhorns.Think UNT VS SMU, except times a million. This has been the M.O. of just about every Aggie I've ever known.

Is that like revering an out of work, flat broke, dude from 2005 who didn't actually win the Heisman?

On a more serious note, the only way their schedule could be any better for them would be if LSU had to come to Kyle too. It is BY FAR not a cake walk (it never is in the SEC) but it does set up favorably. Here's a REALLY wild thought. OU loses Landry Jones this year. IF Texas could find a way to close that gap and pull out a win at the Cotton Bowl...WVU loses Gino Smith, KSU is beatable...what happens if both Texas schools go unbeaten? Can you imagine the ego boost to fans on EITHER side should they beat one another for the biggest prize? I know every sports bar in this state would make enough money to retire. ;-)

And another thing...anyone seen the Aggies recruiting class? The QB from SLC is headed there along with another 4* QB. I know Sumlin is a passing guy and you'd put up big numbers ther, but Manziel is a freshman and they already have a highly rated guy who is a sophomore I believe. Pretty crowded. Is it worth crossing our fingers that someone gets homesick or just tired of waiting? A guy can dream, right?

Edited January 7, 2013 by emmitt01

MeanGreenTexan · January 7, 2013

Is that revering an out of work, flat broke, dude from 2005 who didn't actually win the Heisman?

Willing to put money on this now:

Vince Young's NFL career will be more spectacular than Manziel's. Yet Manziel will have gobs of money because he's from money, although if he keeps hitting up the Casino, that may change for him in the future.

He's already on Vince's track. Scuffles in nightclubs. Twitter pics flashing money (although his money is Mommy & Daddy's). Real cool guy.

And Vince has a National championship to show for his efforts. But I think the comparison is very apt. Good call on mentioning VY Emmitt.

The Fake Lonnie Finch · January 7, 2013

John David Crow was no spare. He was of the era where guys played on offense and defense, and he excelled at both. Then, he played 11 season in the NFL and was a pro bowler four times. How is that spare?

MeanGreenTexan · January 7, 2013

Is that like revering an out of work, flat broke, dude from 2005 who didn't actually win the Heisman?
On a more serious note, the only way their schedule could be any better for them would be if LSU had to come to Kyle too. It is BY FAR not a cake walk (it never is in the SEC) but it does set up favorably. Here's a REALLY wild thought. OU loses Landry Jones this year. IF Texas could find a way to close that gap and pull out a win at the Cotton Bowl...WVU loses Gino Smith, KSU is beatable...what happens if both Texas schools go unbeaten? Can you imagine the ego boost to fans on EITHER side should they beat one another for the biggest prize? I know every sports bar in this state would make enough money to retire. ;-)
And another thing...anyone seen the Aggies recruiting class? The QB from SLC is headed there along with another 4* QB. I know Sumlin is a passing guy and you'd put up big numbers ther, but Manziel is a freshman and they already have a highly rated guy who is a sophomore I believe. Pretty crowded. Is it worth crossing our fingers that someone gets homesick or just tired of waiting? A guy can dream, right?

I see A&M in the NC game before the Longhorns. Longhorns are young and will get better, but they still don't have a QB. The Aggies also picked up Ricky Seals-Jones who will be an incredible game changer immediately. Think Julio Jones at Alabama. Manziel stands a chance of putting up even better numbers next season, if that's even possible.

Aggies need to money-whip Sumlin into oblivion RIGHT NOW to keep him from going elsewhere.

MeanGreenTexan · January 7, 2013

John David Crow was no spare. He was of the era where guys played on offense and defense, and he excelled at both. Then, he played 11 season in the NFL and was a pro bowler four times. How is that spare?

Did you know this off the top of your head, or did you have to go to Wikipedia or A&M's AD website to find out this info?

If you had to look it up: spare. Doesn't matter how good he was, no one knows his name outside of Aggieland.

If you knew all of this already, you may be related to an Aggie or something... or, you just know alot about football and should go win some money doing sports trivia.

CurveItAround · January 7, 2013

Deep down, every Aggie would trade this spectacular season for a 6-6 season including a win against the Longhorns as long as Manziel still got the Heisman. I've never seen a school revere a spare Heisman winner like the Aggies revere that one dude with 3 names (don't care to look him up). That's just how every Aggie is wired. And by wired, I mean brainwashed upon setting foot on campus: a football season is wasted without a win against the Longhorns.
Think UNT VS SMU, except times a million. This has been the M.O. of just about every Aggie I've ever known.

Pretty sure his name was David Allan Coe regardless of of TFLF says.

Edited January 7, 2013 by CurveItAround