| Certainly Mike Sherman is on the hot seat as he | | | | Defense: |
| is just 10-15 in his two years since taking over | | | | Outside linebackerVon Miller may be the best |
| the Texas A&M football program. The Aggies lost | | | | defensive player in the conference. He earns |
| 20-44 to Georgia in the Independence Bowl to fall | | | | All-American honors last season by leading the |
| to 6-7 last year. This has the makings of a | | | | nation with 17 sacks last year, surpassing Texas |
| breakthrough season for the Aggies, though, as | | | | A&M's entire team total from 2008. Sophomore |
| 15 starters return along with their punter and | | | | Sean Porter, junior Garrick Williams and senior |
| kicker and several big-time players. | | | | Michael Hodges are all capable linebackers to |
| I give my predictions on Texas A&M below, listing | | | | compliment Miller. Though eight starters return on |
| where they'll finish in the Big 12 South division. I | | | | defense, the Aggies are a little thin up front. |
| also preview this team. | | | | Senior nose tackle Lucas Peterson is solid in the |
| Offense: | | | | middle, but the Aggies need much better play |
| QB Jerrod Johnson is primed to win the Big 12 | | | | from juniors Tony Jerod-Eddie and Eddie Brown. |
| Offensive Player of the Year award this season. | | | | Sophomore Spencer Nealy is expected to start at |
| He can do it all, leading the Aggies offense to a | | | | defensive end, and junior college transfer |
| whopping 32.9 points per game last year. They | | | | Jonathan Mathis should chip in at this position as |
| also put up 465.8 total yards per contest, which | | | | well. The secondary features three returning |
| ranked 5th nationally. Johnson will be handing the | | | | starters in safety Trent Hunter and cornerbacks |
| ball off to a pair of explosive running backs in | | | | Terrence Frederick and Dustin Harris. Texas A&M |
| Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray. Many feel this is | | | | yielded a whopping 254.7 passing yards per game |
| one of the best receiving corps in school history, | | | | last year which ranked 106th in the country. They |
| with Jeff Fuller returning to lead the way after | | | | wore 90th or worse in scoring, rushing, passing an |
| registering 568 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns | | | | total defense last season. To take the next step, |
| last year despite missing nearly half of the season | | | | the Aggies must improve in all areas on defense. |
| with an injury. | | | | Big 12 Prediction: 3rd Place South Division - The |
| The other playmakers along side Fuller are Uzoma | | | | Aggies appear to have the same problem they |
| Nwachukwu, Ryan Swope, Terrance McCoy and | | | | did a year ago. Sure, they can score points at will, |
| Brandal Jackson. And don't forget backup QB | | | | but they likely won't be able to stop anyone this |
| Ryan Tannehill, who led all receivers with 46 | | | | year. Both Texas and Oklahoma are miles ahead |
| receptions a year ago. The concern is up front, | | | | of the Aggies on the defensive side of a the ball, |
| where the Aggies must replace three starters | | | | and as a result I have picked each to finish ahead |
| along the offensive line. Guards Evan Elke and | | | | of Texas A&M. I expect at least a.500 finish in Big |
| Patrick Lewis return, and the team is looking | | | | 12 play this season from this team, and eight wins |
| forward to a big future from true freshman left | | | | is within reason. It will be fun watching Johnson |
| tackle Luke Joeckel. He eared a starting job in the | | | | and this offense go to work, but for Aggies fans |
| spring with his ability to handle All-American | | | | it won't be so enjoyable watching their defense |
| linebacker Von Miller time and time again. | | | | get worked again in 2010. |
