Reply With Quote
Are they in the top 25 this week?
At 8-1, Aggies now take aim on Top 20
By RICHARD CROOME
Eagle Sports Writer
Backed up against a wall and with a handful of cameras and even more recorders stuck in his face, Texas A&M veteran guard Kirk Elder answered one question with a question.
"When was the last time we were 8-1?" Elder repeated. "I really don't know."
Don't blame Elder for not knowing. It was 1998. He was an eighth-grader.
The Aggies are there now, and after winning their third straight Big 12 road game, they can be qualified as a legitimate 8-1.
We're past scoffing at A&M's lackluster nonconference schedule. And whomever A&M beat on the road this season, weak or not, they were Big 12 opponents. Big 12 road victories have been few and far between for the Aggies since the turn of the century.
At least one of those road wins seems a bit better after Saturday. Oklahoma State, whom A&M squeaked past in overtime last week, bolted by No. 20 Nebraska, 41-29.
The Aggies also ended a couple of tough years against an ever-improving Baylor program in Waco, and now the Aggies, ranked 22nd coming in, will surely move into the Top 20.
More importantly they will have something to play for going into November.
"Every goal is available on our board," A&M coach Dennis Franchione said. "It's a great feeling to get number eight and to go to November with everything in front of you and a lot to play for."
The Aggies are displaying the ingredients that back up a Top 20 ranking and sole possession of second place in the Big 12 South.
They've shown poise with their last-second comebacks and crunch-time plays to seal close victories. They did it again Saturday with Mike Goodson's 64-yard touchdown run in the final minutes.
They are valuing the ball, winning the turnover battle at a plus 4 for the season with Stephen McGee tossing 11 touchdowns to one interception. A&M did that for most of the 2004 season, when Reggie McNeal led the Aggies to the Cotton Bowl.
With good line play on both sides of the ball, they consistently are winning time of possession, averaging a Big 12-best 37 minutes a game in conference play.
And now, with the emergence of freshman running back Goodson and with sop re tight end Martellus Bennett becoming more of an offensive threat, the Aggies also have the makings of a very colorful, explosive and enjoyable team to watch.
"Your great players are going to make great plays," Franchione said, "and Martellus and Michael did that tonight. And the great thing about it is one's a freshman and one's a sop re."
All the above, especially the eight wins, is why the Aggies will go from no TV to hosting No. 19 Oklahoma in prime time next week in a nationally televised game on ABC.
With OU, Nebraska and Texas remaining on the schedule, there are no guarantees on where the Aggies end up.
That includes a possible 8-4 record after three straight losses.
But their chances of heading to Austin the day after Thanksgiving with a shot at the Big 12 South crown survived at least for another week.
"We're going to celebrate tonight, and we're thankful we're 8-1," Elder said. "But we've got the Oklahoma Sooners coming in, and they are a good ball club."
Are they in the top 25 this week?
they were in the top 25 (both polls) last week, silly.
so then the answer would be yes?
21 in all three polls.so then the answer would be yes?
trash.
I think the ags are definitely an improving team, I bet they wish they could re-play that Tech game now, I don't think Tech would be able to stay with them. However, ou is also playing well and I don't see the ags winning that game. I think they do beat Nebraska at home, lose to ou and more than likely come to Austin with 2 conference losses.
BUT, it would also be fun to see them come to Austin with the one conference loss, UT playing a&m for the Big 12 South le-would definitely add another level of interest to the game.
I agree...just like the old SWC days.BUT, it would also be fun to see them come to Austin with the one conference loss, UT playing a&m for the Big 12 South le-would definitely add another level of interest to the game.
the A&M vs. t.u. game has not meant a conference le since 1975. in that game #2 A&M beat #9 t.u..
I just think its funny watching you aggies get a boner on your rising poll rankings. I am happy because of this too. It will mean so so much more destroying your trainstop linemen once you crack into the top 20.
Keep winning agggies!
just like you tea-sips were overconfident against NU, you are overconfident against A&M. i don't care how good you think your defense is, A&M will run all over them...and complete some passes too.
btw, are you the poster that said, "you cannot believe A&M is a top 25 team, you just can't honestly believe that?"
...why yes, yes i do.
Sooners by 77.
There is a fine line between posts that are condesending and posts that are legit, im sure i did say something like that, and, well, I was just in troll mode, ya see. My post in this th read is legit. It is funny that you are getting a boner for getting ranked so high, but I never said that you didn't deserve it or that you guys sucked. I really am happy that you are getting a higher ranking cuz it will look better if UT beats you guys. I wish I could boo you guys every step of the way, but a magic computer system instilled by the NCAA gods dictates that, at this juncture in the season, as a UT fan, I must cheer A&M for every game they don't play us.So be it.
But to think that you will run all over us is a pipe dream. You will probably get over 100 yards, but all over?I seem to recall a certain ncaa demi-god named AD that was stopped hardcore by our defense. I know most UT opponents suck, but our run defense is for reals, son. But if we keep getting injuries you probably will run over us. If we stay as is, and hopefully get a little muckelroy action back, etc, we'll pull stunts on your running game.
25 for 109 = stopped hardcore?I seem to recall a certain ncaa demi-god named AD that was stopped hardcore by our defense.
exactly, i have no idea what he is talking about. plus A&M has basically four backs to punish t.u. = Lane, Goodson, Lewis, and McGee.
Except none of those backs are Adrian Peterson. Keep dreaming.
you'll get a chance this weekend to see how good they are...then we'll talk.
You aren't playing Army, Louisiana-Lafeyette, Citidel or Louisiana Tech this weekend. Might be tough...
doubtful.
More or less doubtful than a USC loss against Oregon State?
PS: Guess who has the number 1 defense in the Big 12?
still talking about running the football? then it is more doubtful...i am not guaranteeing a win or anything, although i do like our chances.
guess who leads the Big 12 in 3rd down defense? and rushing?
Guess who leads the Big 12 south in tackles in the third quarter against left hand QBs with gay cousins and lisps? Who gives a . Is that really what A&M fans are reduced to when talking up their bloated record?
AD was/is the premeire running back of the season, regardless of what happened to him. He would have got 200 yards on any normal defense, the expectations for him are much higher than 109
Should be a good game--hopefully its televised.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
