Texas A&M missed out on the chance to contend for the Big 12 title last season after getting back 18 starters from a squad that ended up with nine victories in 2010. The Aggies finished the regular season 6-6 (4-5 in the conference), but might have easily went 11-1. Five of their six defeats came by a touchdown or less, including a pair in OT. A&M would beat Northwestern 33-22 in the Car Care of Texas Bowl to end up 7-6 overall.
Despite the notion that the Aggies return a plethora of skilled players in 2012, this campaign figures to be filled with growing pains. The Aggies will play their first season in thevery difficult SEC West. What is even tougher for A&M is the departure of their coach Mike Sherman, as he left to become the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Kevin Sumlin was hired in his place and brings with him Kliff Kingsburry as the offensive coach and Mark Snyder as the leader of the defense.
Offense
The team will have a hard job trying to replace one of the country's premiere signal callers in Ryan Tannehill, as he was taken in the opening round of the NFL Draft. Sumlin did a great job of working with QBs in Houston, and he will have a number of options he can use in 2012. Red-shirt freshman Johnny Manziel is the best candidate, but Matt Davis and Matt Joecklel can still play well and take the starting role.
Texas A&M will also need to replace two of the school's top players in RB Cyrus Gray and wide receiver Jeff Fuller. Gray is third in school history in rushing yards with 3,298 and Fuller is the school's all-time leading pass catcher with 3,092 yards.
Christine Michael will be expected to replace the production the Aggies lost when Gray departed for the pros. The senior back has ran for 1,530 yards and 12 scores over the past two years, but he has had health battles missing a grand total of 11 matchups. They also added well respected star Trey Williams, who has that desired mix of strength and quickness.
The team will not miss Fuller as much as people believe. In fact, Ryan Swope will probably move passed Fuller as the team's all-time leading receiver (needs just 889 yards). They also have ultra skilled senior WR Uzoma Nwachukwu coming back and add in one of the best freshman WRs in the land with Thomas Johnson.
The offensive line has a bunch of experience returning from last year, captained by 2nd team All-Big 12 left tackle Luke Joeckel and right tackle Jake Matthews. They also have starting right guard Cedric Ogbuehl and center Patrick Lewis back. Left guard is the lone opening they have on the line, but sophomore Jarvis Harrison is expected to earn the starting role.
Defense
In 2010, the Aggies had a defense that allowed just 21.9 points/game. But the graduation of one of the best linebackers in all of college football, Von Miller, immediately changed their play last year and they ended up giving up 28.2 points/game. They were really strong against the rush, but were tore up against the pass.
Snyder will change up the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3, so that there will be more movement on the front seven. The Aggies will have a hard time repeating their success against the run, as they lose a couple of 300 pound juggernauts in defensive tackles Eddie Brown and Toney Jerod-Eddie. They do still have senior defensive end Spencer Nealy and are likely to transition starting linebacker Damontre Moore to the other defensive end location.
Three talented seniors return at linebacker, which should ease the transition to the 4-3. Weak-side linebacker Sean Porter, who many think to be one of the top guys at his spot, leads the unit. They also have MLB Jonathan Stewart and strong side linebacker Steven Jenkins.
The team might possibly benefit from their leaving from the pass-heavy Big 12, as the secondary looks even weaker than it was a year ago. The team not only lost both starting cornerbacks, but they also have the direct misfortune of replacing 4-time All-Big 12 free safety Trent Hunter. Their only starter back is senior Steven Campbell.
SEC Prediction: 6th SEC West
Texas A&M will probably struggle to make a smooth change to their new legaue, especially with a new coach and starting quarterback. We will see if they can take some of that aerial-heavy Big 12 offense and move the ball in the SEC. They may be rough at first though since they enter a division that features three of the top 10 teams in the land. Their three home games against Florida, Arkansas, and LSU will test their skills as a roster. If they struggle to win in College Station, they are in for a long season.
Jack Jones provides his football picks each Saturday at Betfirms.com.
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