Jimbo 2020: Strangers with Candi

[Walden Ponderer 12639]

2 hours ago, Neonmoon said:

You must not have seen their schedule next year. If they win less than 9, I will be shocked. They play absolute dogshit next year

The odds of none of those teams improving next year are lower than the odds of aggy not improving. I don't see them sweeping all the games that are being thought of as "automatic".

[fattyflattie 4636]

Correct.  Let’s not forget they’ve only swept the Miss teams twice in the last 8 years, once with the bestest ever Johnny crackhead.  It stands to reason Ark upgrades at HFC, and they’ve been a play away from winning several years already. Their schedule is garbage, but it’s not like they don’t lose to garbage teams on a semi-regular basis.  They still have O-line issues, secondary issues, and to a lesser extent, a very average QB.  Add in some dissent from the mercenaries they’ve been purchasing out the NE, who knows.   

[texifornia 56434]

Freaking out about recruiting

Spoiler

 

[texifornia 56434]

Bowl speculation

Spoiler

 

[texifornia 56434]

Point, counterpoint, insanity

Spoiler

 

[texifornia 56434]

"we got our ass beat like a sun belt team"

Spoiler

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by texifornia

[texifornia 56434]

Thinking Orlando being gone means they're getting Broughton

Spoiler

 

[TexasMan 10785]

texags radio had themselves a whole pie or 2 of humility today. The smug and arrogance they displayed last week after another historic moral victory v UGA and Texas losing to Baylor was all dashed away. Even Looch coming in didn't try to put much lipstick on that pig. Of course, he did run his propaganda like he normally does, but you can definitely tell there are cracks starting to show in the "Don't care, got Jimbo" mantra. 

Enjoy and savor this one, as you know this feeling will leave them and they'll be back on their shit in a couple of days. 

 

 

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TexAgsRadio/~5/UiZjM2JEATs/0125785-jsir.mp3

 

[Cairn Horn88 8148]

16 hours ago, Lobwedgephil said:

  Hide contents

Cover Story: 2020 season starts now as Aggies aim to turn the corner

By Billy Liucci

December 1, 2019

---

The Aggies knew what they were walking into on Saturday night. For a calendar year, Ed Orgeron and his players made no bones about the fact that they had circled their regular season finale on the schedule. Even during SEC Media Days, LSU was talking about the twelfth game. In fact, the rematch with the Ags seemed to take up as much space in the collective heads of the Bayou Bengals as did their road trip to Tuscaloosa. 

And then the 2019 season happened. The Tigers entered Saturday night's grudge match undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the CFP rankings. They had just fallen one spot behind Ohio State and the talking heads all but said it was because the LSU defense was a liability. Senior night. Joe Burrow – or should I say 'Burreaux' – took the field as a lock for the Heisman Trophy. Aggie fans saw first-hand how 'coronation games' tend to go when Johnny Manziel had his night against Missouri in 2012. On top of all that, this was a night game. In Death Valley.

So while it's an understatement to say that A&M caught what may very well be the best team in college football on its best night, the fact is the Aggies knew what was coming and seemed unprepared for the moment. The Ags weren't up to the challenge, never came close to matching LSU's energy, emotion or execution and never came close on the scoreboard as a result. That was what had to have left Jimbo Fisher more disappointed than anything else. It was obvious that the second-year head coach was putting the blame squarely at his own feet following a 50-7 whitewashing – not only the first time in 25 games at A&M that his Aggies weren't remotely competitive and out of it by halftime, but also one of the most one-sided defeats he's endured as a head coach. 

 

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

Head coach Jimbo Fisher is aware of his team’s weaknesses.

The thing is (and it's something most of you have probably noticed by now), Fisher cares about his players too much to ever think about throwing them under the bus. With that being said, the head man is obviously aware of his team's personnel shortcomings. That's why the 2020 and '21 recruiting cycles are an absolutely vital component to A&M quickly reaching the point of competing at the same level LSU is this year. The Aggies lack speed at virtually every position on the field (something that was frighteningly obvious last night), the offensive line isn't SEC West caliber and there aren't enough big-play threats on offense or drive-killers on defense. Fisher knows his team better than anyone, and he had to know that the Ags didn't match up nearly as well with LSU as they did with Georgia the week before. He knew all of those things, but Jimbo couldn't predict that his team would lay the type of egg they did on national television in what was as much a rivalry game as anything that Texas A&M has played in since joining the SEC eight years ago. We'll get to that whole 'rivalry' thing in a minute, but it sure seemed as if the visitors played and coached much tighter than an opponent who had everything on the line. Nowhere was that more evident than on defense, as the Aggies looked confused and tentative while showing a new look designed specifically for Joe Brady’s explosive Tiger offense.

Saturday night's effort was the type of showing that has to leave the head coach asking the hard questions in an attempt to figure out why the Ags came out borderline robotic against an incredibly emotional opponent in a very big game. Facing a great team on the road should have been nothing new for this bunch. The Ags traveled to Alabama last year, faced the Mississippi State defense and the cowbells at night, played at Auburn, faced Clemson in September and just last week were at Georgia. All losses, but they were also games in which the Aggies were in it until the closing minutes (Auburn, MSU and UGA), or were at least trading punches until just before halftime with a No. 1 (Alabama and Clemson). Seven days after taking No. 4 down to the final possession Between the Hedges, the Ags weren't competitive in Death Valley, and Fisher and his staff must now figure out why they were unable to give the Tigers a run for their money. 

Now it goes without saying this was a different No. 1. Ed O's Tigers were out for blood, and the Aggies got the best at their best. They talked the talk all year and they came out and backed it up. LSU didn't run up the score, but they could have. Joe Burrow took last year's loss harder than most, and it was obvious he carried a sizeable chip on his shoulder throughout the offseason. He threw for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns and was virtually perfect though the air, connecting on 23 of 32 throws in roughly three quarters of work. A&M legacy Kary Vincent was inexplicably snubbed by John Chavis coming out of high school, and he was literally posterized by Kendrick Rogers in last year's match-up. He picked off Kellen Mond with the celebration already underway in the second half. Tiger Terrence Alexander called the Aggies "stuck up" in a recent interview. Ed O...well, we know how the head man down in Red Stick had to feel after coaching the overtimes drenched in Gatorade last year.

 

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Aggies earned their win over the Tigers at Kyle Field last year.

Look, I'm of the opinion that everyone in Purple and Gold was a little delusional when it came to feeling that they were robbed last year at Kyle Field. Orgeron was flat out wrong in thinking that one second shouldn't have been on the clock after Rogers went out of bounds. Kellen Mond's knee was clearly down, which was just plain old bad luck. LSU couldn't keep the Ags out of the end zone on the final play of the fourth quarter, and it was actually A&M that controlled most of the contest in regulation. With that being said, any team on the losing end of that game would have felt the same way, and the post-game melee only further stoked the flames. As for what the LSU folks perceived to be an extended victory lap? Well, I don't think the Corn Dogs ever understood that things like the photo of Rogers' leaping TD grab in Fisher's office, the cups at Kyle Field and all things celebrating 74-72 had to do more with the fact that the game was (and will always be) considered one of the greatest in Texas A&M history. Whether misguided or warranted (and I can point to a little of both), LSU used it as motivation, and the Tigers didn't disappoint the 90,000+ in attendance.

I'd suggest the Aggies do the same a year from now. And every day in between. This was one of those games that should stick in the craw of every player and coach wearing Maroon & White. A memory that the players carry into every workout and every practice during the long offseason under Jerry Schmidt. The 50-7 final score should be a wake-up call for any of the guys not named Justin Madubuike thinking they're ready for the NFL and serve as a painful reminder of how far this team has to go in order to be true SEC and national title contenders. For as close as the Ags were to knocking off Georgia, they didn't make LSU break a sweat (which makes you wonder how next weekend's SEC title game is going to go...and I think we all know the answer to that one). The truth, of course, lies somewhere in between. The Aggies aren't as far away as they looked last night, but they're also not as close as they looked versus Georgia. We may find out otherwise next Saturday in Atlanta, but the ‘Dawgs sure don’t look like true contenders. They're a very good team, but they aren’t in the same league as LSU, Clemson, Ohio State or even Alabama before they lost Tua. They’re more like Oklahoma, Auburn or Oregon. Meanwhile, LSU is playing as well as any SEC team I've seen since the Ags joined the league in 2012. How good have Ed O's Bengals been? Three weeks ago, they just about ran Alabama (with Tua, mind you) out of Bryant-Denny by halftime.

So how did LSU do it? How did the Tigers go from being a very good team to an unstoppable force in the span of a single offseason? The Brady hire was obviously a game-changer, and Joe Burrow showed even in last year's loss to A&M that he had all the intangibles you want in a quarterback. Credit the Tiger coaching staff for putting him in the right system with the right coach, and the rest is (Heisman) history. LSU had the players on defense, and they've consistently recruited inside the top-5. More than all of that talent, however, was the fact that Ed O's bunch was clearly a very close-knit group that was hungry and believed they could get it done at the highest level. You could describe last year's Aggies the same way in November...especially on that memorable night versus LSU. The team that took the field in Maroon & White last night didn't have any of that same moxie. It's what Fisher has been fighting all season. You could even hear it last week on The Pulse when the popular show aired his locker room speech to the team following the close loss to Georgia. As we wrap up year two, Jimbo is still fighting to break through and convince his team that it belongs in the upper-echelon, which explains the high points like wins over LSU and Kentucky last year, rolling to a five-TD bowl win and last-possession losses to a top-five team each of the past two seasons, and the lows like falling way behind to Clemson and Auburn this fall and what we witnessed last night. Until that happens – and it’s clearly going to take another big win to get the Aggies over that hump – the Aggies will continue to jockey for bowl position in the SEC while the usual suspects remain in the playoff discussion.

 

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

LSU QB Joe Burrow is just one of several NFL-caliber talents on the Tigers’ roster.

What LSU already had were speed and playmakers for days and NFL Draft picks at every level of the defense. It was why the Tigers finished last year in the top 10 and won ten games and a New Year's Six bowl. Heck, they were an inch away from beating the Ags and finishing 11-2 and landing in the top 5, so it wasn't like Orgeron's squad was nearly as far off as the 7-5 Aggies are. But like I said, in college football you're never as close or as far as it seems. Last week, it was Kirby Smart who probably saw a lot of his ‘Dawgs in the team Jimbo was building in Aggieland. Georgia dropped five games in year one under Kirby and played for it all in year two. This week, we're sitting here analyzing the two teams that squared off in Death Valley last night and trying to figure out how in the world the Aggies beat LSU a year ago. It can turn in a hurry, good or bad, which is why I believe the Ags' next game is of particular importance. 

A&M is 0-5 this year against legitimate playoff contenders. Not counting head-to-heads, those five teams have lost all of one game in 2019. Think about that. LSU beat Auburn and Bama. Georgia beat Auburn, who on Saturday knocked off Bama. Clemson is unbeaten. In all other games, those five teams are a combined 44-1. Unfortunately, five of those 44 came at the expense of the Aggies. Meanwhile, A&M doesn't have a win over anyone of note, and the Ags have only beaten one bowl-eligible team. The 2019 schedule was funny like that. Considering the way the Ags lost in Baton Rouge last night, seeing Fisher's group bounce back from such a devastating setback and win a bowl game would speak volumes for this group moving forward. At this point, it would probably serve the Ags well to face a team in late December or the first of January that is as good or slightly better than they are (on paper). The New Year's Day date in Tampa is probably much more of a longshot today, but I'd love to see how A&M would fare against a Penn State, Wisconsin or Minnesota. Even if we're talking Houston and the Texas Bowl, testing your bounce-back ability against a physical K-State squad or even a defensive-minded group like Iowa State wouldn't be as bad as it sounds. Point being, there's a lot to be gained in this final game (and the 15 practices of preparation).

Part of the reason why is because the Aggies absolutely have to turn the corner in year three under Fisher. There isn't an alternate option. For as tough as this year's schedule was – and facing three No. 1s was unprecedented in college football – the 2020 slate offers a golden opportunity to open the season with several wins before a trip to Auburn. Auburn’s offense exploded yesterday, but next year is absolutely a reloading scenario for Gus Malzahn and War Eagle. A&M doesn't face Bama and LSU until the final two games, so there's an entire season to build momentum and belief while letting any new starters and contributors develop. It's set up for a nice run, and we've spent much of this year hammering home the point that Fisher is about to have two elite, LSU/Alabama/Georgia/Auburn-type classes on campus. A nice run through next fall would ensure that a third is on the way in '21. 

You hate to hear it, but the Ags have always been a 'next year' program, and that's a systemic problem that Fisher was hired to fix.

You hate to hear it, but the Ags have always been a 'next year' program, and that's a systemic problem that Fisher was hired to fix. Next year begins now for the Aggies, and it started the moment the team walked off the field last night. The Ags are going to be good in 2020, but how does Fisher make them great? How does A&M make a jump similar to the one LSU made from one season to the next? No, I'm not saying it has to result in the perfect season, but how do the Ags make the leap into the SEC's top tier?

For starters, Kellen Mond has to turn the corner and become a big-game quarterback. I realize most of you reading don't believe it can happen, but Mond took significant strides this fall. He's as tough as anyone I've seen play at A&M in a long time, and (until last night) really cut down on turnovers and served as a dangerous dual-threat who does an excellent job of managing the game. However, watching Burrow in action last night hammered home the point that having a true game-changer at quarterback can sometimes be enough to vault a team into championship contention. Mond won't be able to prove it early, but he's got to play bigger in the Ags' biggest games because he's one of A&M's best players, and he's the guy defensive coordinators fear (I'm telling you, it's true, as I've talked to several opposing coaches this fall before and after games). If Aggie fans could have one wish this Christmas season that would have the greatest carryover into next season, it would for #11 to throw and run his way to earning MVP honors in the upcoming bowl game.

From there, the Aggies have to figure things out along the offensive line. Mond wasn't good last night, but the lack of protection was nothing short of embarrassing. A&M was whipped soundly in the trenches by every quality opponent on this year's schedule. Forget returning starters, every job needs to be thrown wide open up-front during the offseason. If not, the Ags will beat the teams they should, lose to the best teams on the schedule and finish 9-3 at best. I could say the same in the secondary, where the Aggies were significantly better than they were last season but are still a ways away when it comes to guys being able to line up and cover elite SEC playmakers. Speaking of playmakers, Fisher and Co. need to continue to inject game-breaking skill on offense and fast, physical playmakers on defense. Do it by getting guys like Ainias, Corbin, Achane, Demas and Cupp (along with Wydermyer) into the lineup on offense and adding some twitchy edge defenders on defense while getting as creative as you can in the secondary – classification be damned. It sounds like a lot, and it sure seemed like the distance has never been wider than last night, but that's simply not the case. The Ags won't be all the way to where they need to be in terms of roster talent until the season after next (year four under Fisher), but they can be far enough along to cruise through the first half of the schedule. Let confidence build, let the young guys begin to emerge and Fisher's bunch just might be capable of making a legitimate run in the second half.

 

Luicci is obviously paid by the word.

[Tex Pete 20136]

On ‎11‎/‎12‎/‎2019 at 12:37 PM, fattyflattie said:

This is when I wish I had twitter. Not a single team aggy has beaten has a winning record.  Only one has a winning conference record, UTSA. 

TxSt  3-6 overall, 2-3 in conference

Lamar 4-6 overall, 2-5 in conference 

Ark 2-8 overall, 0-6 in conference 

Miss 4-6 overall, 2-4 in conference

State 4-5 overall, 2-4 in conference 

UTSA 4-5 overall, 3-2 in conference 

The aggys are pure trash, who can only beat up on trash. They should be reminded constantly.   Hey Billy, y’all plan on beating a bowl eligible team this year? 

To update the list:

TxSt  3-6 overall, 2-3 in conference

Lamar 4-6 overall, 2-5 in conference Fired their coach

Ark 2-8 overall, 0-6 in conference Fired their coach 

Miss 4-6 overall, 2-4 in conference Fired their coach

State 4-5 overall, 2-4 in conference 

UTSA 4-5 overall, 3-2 in conference Fired their coach 

South Carloina  3-5 in conference, 4-8 overall 

 

 

So, 4 of the 7 teams aggy beat fired their head coaches. (Wondering about Muschamp) Seems that losing to aggy is a fireable offense.

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by Tex Pete

[Orange&White 5516]

1 minute ago, Tex Pete said:

To update the list (no, they didn't beat anyone else):

TxSt  3-6 overall, 2-3 in conference

Lamar 4-6 overall, 2-5 in conference Fired their coach

Ark 2-8 overall, 0-6 in conference Fired their coach 

Miss 4-6 overall, 2-4 in conference Fired their coach

State 4-5 overall, 2-4 in conference 

UTSA 4-5 overall, 3-2 in conference Fired their coach 

 

So, 4 of the 6 teams aggy beat fired their head coaches. Seems that losing to aggy is a fireable offense.

 

And they STILL think they are going to make a run at a NATIONAL Championship NEXT YEAR!

I hope Jimbo stays forever!!

[Tex Pete 20136]

1 minute ago, Orange&White said:

And they STILL think they are going to make a run at a NATIONAL Championship NEXT YEAR!

I hope Jimbo stays forever!!

I had to make one correction and add South Carolina. Not much of an oversight.

 

But NEXT YEAR!

[texifornia 56434]

https://247sports.com/player/lorando-johnson-46038983/

[RockyMountainHighHorn 888]

lsu can trapbackdoor a 4 star that most programs would love. Oh how nice. 

[Fud 9543]

Elko is on the shortlist for the BC job, Beal just entered the Portal, and their fans are worried that Peevy is on Portal watch after he tweeted out some cryptic shit 

[Neonmoon 38127]

2020 is the year!

Quote

- A&M should return the vast majority of its starting lineup from 2019 with the only senior being Colton Prater and Justin Madubuike. Regardless of what you perceive the talent level to be on the roster right now or the limitations of the existing athletes…that’s almost unheard of in this day and age of the transfer portal and early exits to the NFL.

There could be a couple of guys who potentially declare for the draft but otherwise the Aggies could be trotting out 11 seniors and that’s also a lot for the modern era. Those guys tend to more developed physically due to four years in a strength and conditioning program and in addition, they’ve seen a lot of football so they tend to make quicker decisions and fewer mistakes. As a result, even when they face off versus more talented people, they can overcome those advantages and we see this every year in the SEC and across college football (2018 Kentucky is a great example of this).

They’ll be backstopped by a lot of experience as well…at least half a dozen potential starters will have two years on campus. Not only that, A&M will have three recruiting classes on campus that were ranked in the top 20 nationally and two in the top ten. It’s not Jackie Sherrill level recruiting but it’s not far off either and A&M is gradually adding elite pieces to their lineup such as freshman defensive end DeMarvin Leal and incoming wideout Demond Demas.

 

- Moreover…and here’s where it gets interesting…most of the teams that A&M will face next season are incurring significant losses.

Alabama will lose quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a corps of wideouts that killed the Aggies in the receiving and return game, running back Najee Harris, and much of the secondary.

LSU will lose quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and some quality defenders such as Grant Delpit and Rashard Lawrence.

In case anyone's counting, that's two transcendent quarterbacks before you factor in everything else. 

Auburn will lose all five offensive linemen and four members of its front four including all everything Derrick Brown.

South Carolina loses six defensive starters and that unit was the best part of its team.

- Not only that, A&M’s toughest in the country schedule gets considerably easier in 2020.

The Aggies switch out Clemson for Colorado in non conference and Georgia for Vanderbilt in the SEC East. On the surface, that’s a big win.

But let’s go beyond that for a minute.

 

- As of today, of their 11 FBS opponents, the Aggies will be facing just four teams….Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Mississippi State…who were bowl eligible in 2019. That’s down from six in 2019.

North Texas and Fresno State were actually considered up and coming G5 programs at one point after quality 2018 campaigns but now appear to be on the downhill slide again (both were 4-8 this season).

Alabama and LSU will probably be top ten again in the pre season and Auburn might be top 25 but that’s it.

Not only that, A&M only has to leave the state of Texas four times.

 

- Finally…A&M's Jimbo Fisher is one of just four active head coaches to have won a national title.  If you don’t think that means something, there’s a lot of schools out there who don’t have those coaches or the $20 million it would take to let their guy go and start anew.

He’s also got a staff that features a lot of guys with legitimate Power 5 experience as assistants as opposed to one that features people that have predominantly coached at the G5 level. P5 people understand the value of playing physical football even though we’re in a passing era. Fisher himself is also a high end game planner and play caller and has a track record of quarterback development. If you want a combo head coach/offensive coordinator that is all the rage right now, you’re probably not going to find one that’s much better.

Don’t underestimate those things. They’re valuable and they give the Aggies a leg up on the vast majority of teams that they face as we've seen in close games, particularly the Ole Miss game this season.

 

49COMM

wow

[HenryJames 65868]

I’d take Peevy.

[ClubWhatever 12085]

10 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

I’d take Peevy.

You’d get a 15 yard penalty

[Scholz 11923]

13 minutes ago, Neonmoon said:

2020 is the year!

wow

[Pato del Muerto 52322]

He’s not wrong about the schedule or the personnel changes. 
the disconnect is how average his team really is this year, and they all return. 
 

plus, the cognitive dissonance between everyone comes back and full recruiting class, and what that must mean. 

Edited December 2, 2019 by Pato del Muerto

[deech 2251]

2 hours ago, Scholz said:

Their schedule is so soft anything less than 10-2 should be considered a huge, huge failure.

[Burt Macklin 18988]

3 hours ago, Fud said:

Elko is on the shortlist for the BC job, Beal just entered the Portal, and their fans are worried that Peevy is on Portal watch after he tweeted out some cryptic shit 

Who ever could’ve guessed that Elko would bolt for a northeast job and they’d have a bunch of attrition on defense? 

[Bear19 82]

12 hours ago, NoName said:

 

One of the greatest victories in Texas A&M history was a 7 OT game in a season where they went 9-4, finally won a game against LSU (had been 0-7 since they joined the SEC), and won the Gator Bowl?

no wonder people think they are clowns.

Not to mention the game was handed to them by the officials making numerous horrible calls.

[HtownHorn 14446]

1 hour ago, deech said:

Their schedule is so soft anything less than 10-2 should be considered a huge, huge failure.

and yet, only once has Fisher had less than 3 losses with a Mond level QB. In 2012, EJ Manuel lead them to a 12-2 record. Which included a win over mighty Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl.

[Longhornfrenzy 5589]

Hamm lite back peddling & BSC Karen standing in the paint

[Fud 9543]

Kellen Diesch enters the portal

[texifornia 56434]

3 minutes ago, Fud said:

Kellen Diesch enters the portal

He seemed like a douche in his recruitment so lol bai

[Burt Macklin 18988]

Don’t all these guys realize aggy’s gonna win it all next year? It’s a shame so many guys will be transferring out this offseason and miss our on winning a title under Jimbo.

[texifornia 56434]

[texifornia 56434]

[utexas8 1433]

Lol

[Ricky Butler 2657]

17 hours ago, deech said:

Their schedule is so soft anything less than 10-2 should be considered a huge, huge failure.

They'll win more next year for sure. The problem is that Jimbo's approach will never get him over the hump with teams with equal or better talent - Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, etc. LSU finally saw the light and hired Joe Brady. Do we think Jimbo is going to change his offensive philosophy? Is he going to understand the modern game and start going for it on 4th down?

[Funk Doctor Spock 11912]

Zach Evans seems to be Bryce Brown 2.0. He may never play anywhere  

[RGBIII 22798]

1 hour ago, utexas8 said:

 

 

Lol

 

Thank the lord we are out of that shit show

[Thiefery 4961]

34 minutes ago, RGBIII said:

Thank the lord we are out of that shit show

for all the nerve wrecking emotions we go through on the surl...especially with a staff shakeup.. Bijan has been 100x the relief compared to Evans

[Coelenterate Fuccboi 13010]

Makes me wonder if the team he was going to commit to, once again, told him to pump the brakes. This dude may end up at aggy because he has no choice. Or, Karen really did park a Brinks truck in his driveway.

[Thiefery 4961]

3 minutes ago, Casual Encounter said:

Makes me wonder if the team he was going to commit to, once again, told him to pump the brakes. This dude may end up at aggy because he has no choice. Or, Karen really did park a Brinks truck in his driveway.

I would think LSU wants him.. Ogre went and visited him a couple weeks ago, if I'm not mistaken.

[Lobwedgephil 1139]

Spoiler

Liucci

12:20p 

Staff

AG

Quote:

Transfers? In and out

I really don't like speculating on guys leaving individually because certain kids haven't made up their minds or even told their families or coaches/teammates. We know Brian Johnson, Derrick Tucker, Glenn Beal (entered the portal yesterday), Kellen Diesch (today) and Roshauud Paul. I'm sure we'll see a little attrition at WR because the numbers are high and some veterans haven't played much and maybe on the back end of the secondary or DL rotation, but all of that will sort itself out as the next few weeks go by. There will probably be a mild surprise or two at some point along the way, but you can almost predict the names if you check out the roster, honestly.

 

Quote:

What is your #1 must address/upgrade unit on the team for next year?

In order, OL-Secondary-Pass Rush.

 

Quote:

Do you think Kenyon Green will see any reps at tackle during bowl prep. Is it realistic to think he might slide outside next season since he was playing out of his natural position this fall?

Maybe during practices but I wouldn't expect him to play there in the game barring injury. Yes, it's realistic. Frankly, I'd be surprised if he didn't spend much of or even all of the spring at tackle. He's a natural out there.

 

Quote:

When do we start giving beatdowns instead of getting them in big games?

I think that starts in 2021. I think next year, if the Ags improve enough to win one or two of the big games (or even more if they win two and give themselves an 'extra' big one or two like an SEC title game or NY6 bowl) they're not going to blow the likes of Auburn, LSU or Bama out, but rather coming out on the right side of a battle like the ones they lost to Auburn and Clemson last year or UGA this year or beat LSU in at Kyle last fall.

 

Quote:

We weren't able to match LSU's intensity from the start. I know there were some matchup challenges but what gives?

Not sure. I really don't know the answer to that because it hasn't happened in Jimbo's tenure. Maybe the entire thing - the LSU offense, the environment, etc - just kind of overwhelmed them. There's no excuse, but it is what it is. Really surprising considering how well they competed against No. 4 in front of 90k between the hedges the week before.

It also gives you an idea of how well LSU is playing. I think they win the whole thing. If you remember, they damn near ran away from Bama, in T-Town no less, a few weeks ago. They're playing incredible ball.

 

Quote:

How do we fix our OL issues? Do we have the OL players to compete at an elite level in 2020?

Remains to be seen, but I do know that they have good enough players for the unit to get noticeably better with a new face or two and some shuffling. Elite level? Probably not next fall, but look at some of these names and who recruited them: Kenyon Green, Javonne Shepherd, Akinola Ogunbiyi, Chris Morris, Josh Bankhead, Smart Chibuzo plus MIke Matthews, Layden Robinson and the guys who they Ags will ink in 2021. That's some nice talent right there and a great deal of athleticism.

 

Quote:

I predict a healthy QB competition in the offseason with Mond proving he's the best option for 2020. Agree or disagree, and why?

Agree. I'm a big fan of both Calzada and King. I know I keep leaving Foster off, and I probably shouldn't do so just because he entered the portal for a brief minute earlier this fall. I just feel like he tipped his hand and was convinced to walk it back, but a young athlete can certainly change their mind. But back to the point, yes, I absolutely think Kellen keeps his job as a senior.

 

Quote:

What is LSU without Joe Brady?

Pretty much LSU from last year. A really good team, talented and difficult to beat. Probably a 10-win team that isn't quite a national title contender. They'd be more like Florida or Auburn.

 

Quote:

Will Jimbo truly open all positions for competition, including the QB position, especially the QB position?

Okay guys. This is why I specifically ask - EVERY WEEK - that you guys simply at least TRY to not ask the same question 50 times. This takes hours to do, so I tend to pick a couple of pages of questions and cut and paste and then start answering. The duplicates just take up space, and it takes me so long that I'm not going to go back and add five, six, nine, 20 new questions from other pages just because no one even attempts to help out.

 

Quote:

Was LSU a huge setback in Jimbo's buildup of our program?

No. It was a big ole bump in the road, but it wasn't a huge setback. But damn, it sure feels like a lot of our fans (and I say this because a lot of my close friends are like this) have just been waiting for a performance like this so they can openly begin questioning the future under Fisher. It's just bizarre how badly folks seem to want something negative to cling to and practically try to will into existence. That was more about LSU en route to a natty than it was anything else. Ags need to make major strides in 2020 and beyond, but they're close and on the verge of actually ADDING a couple of big-time commits.

 

Quote:

What's the pulse on Scooby Carter and Javonne Sheppard?

Carter's re-recruitment is still in its very early stages, but there is certainly mutual interest, as Howell reported right out of the chute. I think Scooby is taking some time with it, and we'll see how things shake out in terms of A&M in the early signing period. 

As for Javonne, I'd be very surprised if he didn't end up an Aggie. I still feel very good about that one, and the Ags want him badly.

 

Quote:

How in the heck can we show up in Athens and nearly beat the vaunted Dawgs (thanks SEC refs) and then forget to exit the bus in Baton Rouge??

Same version, third or fourth verse already. I'm not sure. Just like you guys, just like Fisher and his coaches and players because surely they had no idea that type of performance was coming.

 

Quote:

Do you still believe Kellen is going to take us where we want to go next year? Honestly, half our conference games are on the road, what do you see that makes you believe he won't be the same road dud we have seen so far?

Same question, seventh or eight verse already. I've maintained that Kellen is a good quarterback but not yet elite. Whether or not he gets there, who knows. I'm wanting to see the list of guys who will be expected to be better entering the 2020 season. I think his senior season should be his best (why wouldn't it be?), and I think you need to be very careful when saying that he will be the same road dud when the entire A&M team has played pretty poorly away from Kyle. Also, the road games next year are Auburn and Bama. Outside of that, A&M should be noticeably better than Arky, South Carolina and Miss State. Kellen and the Ags are 4-0 the past two seasons on the road against teams they were clearly better than, winning twice against the Hogs, at USCe and at Ole Miss. Yeah, I really think the Auburn game will once again be the biggest of the season for the Ags. Mond has to play well there, the Aggies have to block and stop Bo Nix, and they have got to break a three-game losing streak versus War Eagle and Gus. If they do, there's a pretty good chance that A&M is 10-0 entering the last two games and squarely in the title discussion. I'm not saying the Ags are going to be good enough to walk over the likes of CU, Fresno, USCe, State and Ole Miss combined, but they'll absolutely be the better team in those games.

 

Quote:

I get that LSU is having a special year but we looked like an FBS team. It's not a good look for national television. Is the talent gap really that big? I expected to be competitive at least for one half.

I saw one question in there and several statements. The talent gap is that wide in terms of team speed, cover men and playmakers at the skill spots. But that's the same group of players that A&M beat a year ago, so the Ags can flip the script right back the other direction next year at Kyle if Fisher and his staff are able to push the right buttons and the young players on the roster continue to develop (the year two guys) and a few true freshmen inject some of what we mentioned is missing. Again, everyone has gone 1000% "doubt Jimbo, woe is me" exactly one week after A&M pushed No. 4 UGA to the final possession and were clearly robbed of the chance to win it at the end. Not as far off as it looked on Saturday night and in no way should it shake your faith. Stick with this thing. I'm telling you.

 

Quote:

What area of our team might be the biggest beneficiary during our bowl preparation time?

Interesting question. I'd say it has to be the offensive line, where you can maybe give some of the young guys like Matthews and Robinson an extended look and where Kenyon Green can really spend quality time on his game. The group looked significantly improved in each game following the bye week (Bama and South Carolina), and they'll have fifteen practices before the bowl.

I also think the secondary could be an interesting watch. Where does Erick Young spend the bowl sessions at and will he see legitimate action in the bowl game with a strong month of December? Can Devin Morris crack the lineup as one of the starting corners? We shall see.

 

Quote:

Where does this 2020 class finish in the rankings? What positions did we use it to make the biggest upgrades at and which ones are we neutral/downgrade?

My guess will be No. 6 or No. 7. Keep Donell Harris and Fadil Diggs in the fold plus Braedon Mowry, and it's absolutely Top 10 in terms of speed guys off the edge. I think when the entire class is complete, the haul on the back end in the secondary is going to be very good, as well. Don't sleep on this OL group, either. You pretty much will have to include Javonne Shepherd with the four commits if you land him. That's a whole lot of nasty up front. A ton of size and some pretty gifted athletes, as well. As far as raw playmaking skill on offense? Haynes King, Demond Demas, Muhsin Muhammad III, Devon Achane, Devin Price, Blake Smith plus probably one more RB will certainly upgrade things there.

 

Quote:

Odds on Mond vs the field at QB starting next fall?

Congratulations. Now I'm done answering Mond questions unless it has to do with something completely different. We get it. The message boards want the Aggie quarterback benched and are hoping he loses his job and A&M continues its streak of not having a senior starter who had been in the program more than an off-season, running the streak up to nine years.

 

Quote:

Offensive Line 2020: do you foresee our younger more talented lineman fighting for and winning the starting job?

Yes and yes. Not across the board, but certainly a couple of them. I could see two youngsters starting next fall (along with Kenyon who will be only a sophomore).

 

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How surprised were you that 4 of the 5 big games we played this year weren't very competitive by halftime? To me 7-5 doesn't bother me nearly as much as how we got there.

Not overly surprised that Clemson and Bama pulled away gradually. More surprised by Auburn and, of course, LSU. Look, what I don't think people understand is that this SHOULD be the toughest season the Aggies have under Jimbo. They will probably never play a tougher schedule (three No 1s, four top 5s and five top 10s). He's starting ONE senior out of 22 and lost ten to active NFL rosters and is doing it with ONE full recruiting class on campus. The way they lost to LSU is something I think too many are focusing on when trying to make big picture, all-encompassing projections here. I get it, it was three days ago, but you still have to factor in everything when trying to project out.

 

Quote:

Is Zach Evans LSU bound when he commits on Wednesday?

It definitely sounds like it based on what we're hearing. I still think there will be recruiting to be done. As I've said all along, this one will go the distance. That said, I feel great about the Ags landing Achane and either Daniyel Ngata or EJ Smith, all of whom have been terrific as seniors and are coveted by the A&M staff and Fisher in particular.

 

Quote:

Jimbo has had only one full recruiting class (ranked 3rd) because his first year he just inherited Sumlin's and had to close them out. That said, it is difficult for me to see us turning a corner where we are a consecutive 10-win team until he has 3-4 full recruiting classes under his belt. Look at some of the true freshman (his full class) that are starting now. That being said, should we delay our expectations to competing for SEC championship until 2022? And in the short term expect progress and more wins because of easier schedules?

Well, I think 2022 is too far out. That would be year five. Maybe to some extent (championships), but I would say it's fair to expect a major jump next year. A lot of what held them back this year is gone. They'll have several senior starters, the talented true freshmen will be in year two and would have gone through an entire SEC season and off-season, two full classes on campus versus one (and three in 2021) and a much easier schedule. I think next year should be a season in which you show marked improvement. New Year's Six type expectations for sure, and then in 2021, he should be fielding a pretty loaded roster. You'll have a first-year starter at QB, of course, which is why I think the two best years of the next three should be 2020 and 2022 but the two most loaded teams should be 2021, '22 and beyond. Make sense?

 

Quote:

What does A&M need to do to take full advantage of the dumpster fire over at tu over the next 2 months? Predictions?

I would say take advantage of it this cycle (not much to cherry-pick right now, however), and let Herman slowly but surely destroy that thing. Remember my 'overmatched Texas staff' comment that the Horns thought it was cute to use against me all season until right about the time they realized they were going 7-5 and nearly losing to Kansas? It still applies, which is why the dude fired three of his 'overmatched' assistants including Corby Meekins, who I had at the very top of my 'overmatched' list from the start. Let it slowly deteriorate because it will. They'll hire Graham Harrell, and it'll be an emotional band-aid that gets them believing and talking incessant **** again, and before long, we'll be back in the same place. Herman's not the guy, and the sensible ones among that fan base know it. As far as the next two months, the Ags will try to recruit an Austin product in Alfred Collins, but that one will be tough. Outside of that, I'm not sure there's an in-state commit they have that A&M would take right now outside of probably Vernon Broughton, though the Ags have a very good chance to get one or both out of Omari Thomas and McKinnley Jackson who are equally as highly-regarded.

 

Quote:

Do the Ags add Smith or Ngata?

See a couple of questions above. My quick answer is yes.

 

Quote:

Grad transfer Olineman likely?

Honestly, I don't think it's likely even though I do think it's a need.

 

Quote:

safety play is still a big weakness. The guys playing were highly rated. Do you think they just need more experience or is talent lacking?

I think speed is lacking with Leon. I think he's a talented defender who needs to be a rover type. I feel like if he can embrace it and learn it, he would be a great guy to play in the box and to do things like what they asked Hines to do last week, which was move outside and try to cover CEH in space. That was an incredibly difficult matchup for a pure linebacker with no secondary experience. Demani is fine. He had a rough night vs LSU but had a very strong true freshman season.

 

Quote:

What bowl game do you think we'll end up at?

That depends a LOT on whether the SEC gets four in the NY6. If OU beats Baylor and passes Utah, then it's all but a lock. Without that happening, your NY6 might look like this (barring a major upset like Georgia over LSU):

1. Group of Five team
2. Clemson
3. Ohio State
4. LSU
5. Utah
6. OU
7. UVA (ridiculous ACC/Orange Bowl tie)
8. Oregon (Pac 12 Rose Bowl rep)
9. SEC #2 (let's say UGA)
10. B1G #2 (let's say PSU)
11. SEC #3 (either Bama, Florida or Auburn)

That leaves only one spot, which would go to either a fourth SEC team, Wisconsin or Minnesota or, less likely, Baylor. It all depends on the final CFP rankings. Because in this scenario, Wisconsin and Baylor are losing title games, and it would be Wisky's third loss, the odds are decent an SEC team would be ranked high enough to get it. We'll certainly know more tonight when the always-bizarre and strangely Big 12-favorable rankings come out. But you see what happens if OU gets the nod over Utah after next weekend, right? The Pac 12 will only get one in if the Utes beat Oregon, which means there's an extra spot, and the SEC's odds of grabbing it go way up. Two teams out of either Bama/Auburn or Florida, a three-loss Wisconsin, Minnesota or Baylor would make it.

Getting back to the Ags, if that happens, Auburn or Bama (depending on the CFP rankings) would go to the Citrus. The rest of the SEC bowl-eligible field looks like this: 

A&M
Tennessee
Kentucky
Mississippi State

That would be four teams for six bowls - Outback, Gator, Belk, Music City, Texas and LIberty. The Gator wouldn't want A&M, and Mississippi State is clearly the fourth member of that bunch. Those are two definites. I've also heard Nashville would love to grab Kentucky this year. The easy play would be for the SEC and the Outback (who wanted A&M badly last year until the league stepped in and shuffled A&M, UK and Miss State to keep MSU from playing in the Gator three times in four years) and Gator to settle things nicely with A&M in Tampa and Tennessee in Jacksonville. The potential hold up, of course, is the fact that the Vols have a better conference record (which is a joke considering they're in the East). They've also won six in a row, which to a bowl means 'fan excitement.' We'll see, but I'm convinced it will be Outback if the league gets four in, and Texas if they don't.

 

Quote:

Does taking Carter and Shepherd become a priority given the performance of the Oline and DB units?

It's up there, but they have to see how the class shakes out to see if they're able to take both. I tackle this one elsewhere in the thread. I believe Javonne will be an Aggie in the not-too-distant future regardless.

 

Quote:

Putting aside lower rated commits we might replace, and Dallas Walker who is apparently heavily interested in Auburn....do you think the current 2020 class as it exists right now holds together through ESD? We can't afford to lose guys like Achane, Donnell Harris, and Fadil Diggs.

Yes. And if the Ags let Walker get away to Auburn, there's a good chance they'll add McKinnley Jackson and/or Omari Thomas, so that d-line haul will still be a nasty one either way.

 

Quote:

What's your take on the news from Austin recently?

Not surprising at all. See above.

 

Quote:

I see a desperate vodka Tom trying to shake up his coaching staff and get a "big fish" or exciting assistant coach to try to boost recruiting because the sips have barely anything to sell at the moment.

You're absolutely right. See above. They have zero momentum right now because recruits are seeing through the smoke and mirrors. However, they'll have you believe that putting the Connect 4 Carrington on the recruiting trail is going to serve as a game-changer for them down the stretch. They'll recruit fine, overhype a few additions, hire Graham Harrell and all will be well heading into next season...for those who want to believe that.

 

Quote:

Why is everyone assuming Demas and Achane will get meaningful playing time next year after 2 years of precisely zero receiver rotation?

Well for starters, I'd be pretty surprised if all three juniors returned, and I could even see a world where two of them weren't back. Not saying it would be the smart play for any of the three in the sense that they aren't going to be projected in the top three rounds based on anything I've heard, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a hasty decision or two. I also think the need for more speed on the perimeter is understood, and if it wasn't prior to Saturday night, it certainly is now.

 

Quote:

Our schedule is back loaded in 2020 vs. front loaded in 2019. Could that allow us to shake up the OL with younger, but more talented new starters since they would have several games to learn to work together?

I've thought the same thing of late. Look, I'm not saying that none of the four seniors in 2020 will start, and the number I expect to see as starting regulars is probably more like two, but I am 100% convinced we'll see a couple of youngsters crack the lineup at some point early, and yes, the schedule would afford that. IMO, realistic options would include the true freshmen, Mike Matthews and Layden Robinson. Javonne Shepherd would also be a possible if he becomes an Aggie as we are still predicting and could attain a waiver, which you never know these days.

 

Quote:

After being in the system for a second year, Mond literally regressed on true road games in 2019 from 2018 when we played all those elite DL. 3 TDs, 6 INTs, 53% completion % and 5 yards per attempt. Is there any reasonable hope that this is "fixable" for a soon-to-be senior QB? Is the complex, QB-dependent offense making him robotic and slower to make decisions?

I'm with you guys when it comes to the fact that I want to see him play more decisively. I definitely think it holds him back. It's not because he's not processing it. I think it's because he's trying too much to make the 'right' decision at all times. Almost like he's just thinking too much. Paralysis by analysis. I want to see him take off and run more often and be more aggressive with letting it rip (at least when WRs are open, which is less often than it is for some of the guys in the conference he's compared to). But I don't see the regression on the road as much as that he played two No. 1's on the road this year vs. a No. 1 and the nation's No. 1-ranked defense on the road last year. The entire team has struggled on the road even in the games they've won (Arky x 2, South Carolina and Ole Miss), so it's not Mond-specific, though the QB is the central figure. Is it 'fixable?' Let him get at least an acceptable level of protection, and we can start from there. Yes, I think it's fixable. Not talking about a Joe Burrow type of jump, but I think he can win a lot of games next year as the Aggie QB. All of one week ago, the dude completed like 14 of his last 15 at Georgia against that defense in front of 90k with the game on the line, and the one incompletion was a blatant PI with the ball delivered exactly where it needed to be. He was at 17-3 TD-INT clip in league play heading into Saturday's debacle, but I do understand the concern...to a reasonable level.

 

Quote:

Any staff changes, at any level? Coaches, analyst, or other staff? With all of the coaches getting axed wondering if we're tempted to bring in any.

Who knows with analyst. Those tend to come and go, so I'd almost expect it at least in terms of an addition or two. As far as position coaches, I've done this long enough that I always expect something - either coming or going. Can't remember a year that it didn't happen, honestly. But nothing dramatic at all. Not like what you've seen down in Austin or at Arizona State this week.

 

 

[KYHorn 16808]

14 minutes ago, Lobwedgephil said:

As for Javonne, I'd be very surprised if he didn't end up an Aggie. I still feel very good about that one, and the Ags want him badly

Interesting...

[Gil Bang 25865]

 

[Thiefery 4961]

If we were over-matched coaching wise.. what do you call aggy?

[Tex Pete 20136]

Dumb shit Loochie's take is hilarious. They beat no one this year, got the shit kicked out of them in their last game, and lost 5 games, but Jimbo's still taking them to the top, just you wait. Texas disappointed, lost 5 games, played the same LSU team that beat the shit out of them to the wire, yet Herman is overmatched and not long for Texas.  

High level ANALysis, there Bildo.

[Fud 9543]

At the risk of looking like Randolph Duke, here's a list of potential A&M attrition. The list is long because Jimbo is apparently trying to bring in a full class along with Mowry, Shepherd, and Jeffrey Carter, despite only having like eight graduating seniors. That's a lot of potential roster turnover going into the season they've had circled for awhile now due to the easy schedule and senior QB. Let me know if I'm missing anyone 

Medical

Vernon Jackson

Already Portal'd

Deneric Prince

Moses Reynolds

Brian Johnson

Glenn Beal

Kellen Diesch

Expected Portal

Roschaaud Paul

Derrick Tucker

James Foster

Jacob Kibodi

Camron Horry

Riley Anderson

Camron Buckley

Hezekiah Jones

Colten Blanton

Trayvon Fuller

Potential Portal

Jalen Preston

Caleb Chapman

Grayson Reed

Jashaun Corbin

Jayden Peevy

Connor Blumrick

Expected Early Draft Entries 

Justin Marmaduke

Quartney Davis

Possible Early Draft Entries

Kendrick Rogers

Jhamon Ausbon

Buddy Johnson

Possible Medical

Max Wright

 

Also, there's always a couple of unexpected guys to leave the program for whatever random reason 

 

 

[LTtxfan 48928]

 

[Hiphopopotamos 20865]

28 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

 

Thats an interesting one - aggy's were over the moon that they were able to 'grayshirt' this kid

[texifornia 56434]

31 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

 

I'm shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you. I only wish that the trapdoor moment from this week's Watchmen had been gif'd for this moment.

Edited December 3, 2019 by texifornia

[Burt Macklin 18988]

18 minutes ago, Fud said:

At the risk of looking like Randolph Duke, here's a list of potential A&M attrition. The list is long because Jimbo is apparently trying to bring in a full class along with Mowry, Shepherd, and Jeffrey Carter, despite only having like eight graduating seniors. That's a lot of potential roster turnover going into the season they've had circled for awhile now due to the easy schedule and senior QB. Let me know if I'm missing anyone 

Medical

Vernon Jackson

Already Portal'd

Deneric Prince

Moses Reynolds

Brian Johnson

Glenn Beal

Kellen Diesch

Expected Portal

Roschaaud Paul

Derrick Tucker

James Foster

Jacob Kibodi

Camron Horry

Riley Anderson

Camron Buckley

Hezekiah Jones

Colten Blanton

Trayvon Fuller

Potential Portal

Jalen Preston

Caleb Chapman

Grayson Reed

Jashaun Corbin

Jayden Peevy

Connor Blumrick

Expected Early Draft Entries 

Justin Marmaduke

Quartney Davis

Possible Early Draft Entries

Kendrick Rogers

Jhamon Ausbon

Buddy Johnson

Possible Medical

Max Wright

 

Also, there's always a couple of unexpected guys to leave the program for whatever random reason 

 

 

Holy shit. That would be so much attrition. They’re gonna suck next year regardless of schedule if they lose anywhere near that number of players. You can’t overcome that kind of gutting even if most of those guys weren’t great.

[Fud 9543]

2 minutes ago, Burt Macklin said:

Holy shit. That would be so much attrition. They’re gonna suck next year regardless of schedule if they lose anywhere near that number of players. You can’t overcome that kind of gutting even if most of those guys weren’t great.

It's basically the opposite of what Dabo would do 

[Not a Sock 2308]

18 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

 

A&M didn't beat a single team with a winning record.

[Tex Pete 20136]

2 minutes ago, Not a Sock said:

A&M didn't beat a single team with a winning record.

I could take 10 JAGs from surly and lose to aggy's murderer's row, just like they did. It's no accomplishment.