If there is one thing that Aggies don't take to well to, that thing is change. As a school that prides itself on history and tradition, Texas A&M is not a place that is very open to the thought of doing things different. However when it comes to Aggie football, the one thing Ags hate more than change is losing, especially when that school down the road is doing a lot of winning. That's why after five years at the helm, an embarrassing 77 - 0 loss to OU, a newsletter scandal, and more bad memories than good, Coach Dennis Franchione is no longer the head coach at A&M. Texas A&M had high expectations for the Fran era and none of them where ever really met, so after a quick goodbye after a stunning upset of arch rival Texas for the second straight season, the search for a new head coach was on.
Coach Mike Sherman answered Bill Bryne's call. Sherman will come into this first season with lower expectations than his predecessor, unlike Fran he is not coming off a big season at one of the nations elite programs. It also doesn't help that names like Spurrier and Tuberville when whispered as potential replacements. However, just because the expectations aren't at the same level, doesn't mean the Aggies don't expect to win. The one area the Aggies didn't let up on during the Franchione era was recruiting. The Aggies are still comfortably located in one the nations recruiting hotbeds. Within the past decade LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas have won BCS national titles with homegrown talent from the same areas Texas A&M has been getting their players. The hope in Aggieland is that they too can cash in on similar success.
This season the Aggies will be lead by senior quarterback Stephen McGee. Recently named the starter by Coach Sherman after an open contest this past spring and early fall. McGee was a heralded recruit out of Burnet, Texas that early on was known more for his arm than his legs. But, while operating Fran's option offense, McGee's passing seemed to falter as a took a beating as running quarterback. Now operating in Sherman's pro style offense, Stephen looks to prove fans wrong and show of his rejuvenated arm.
It is often thought that a quarterbacks best friend can be a talented backfield. If that is the case than McGee is in luck. The Aggies will be showing off a plethora of talent at the running back position. Mike Goodson will be entering his junior season and should flourish under Sherman's new system, he even has some sports writers talking dark horse for the Heisman. Behind Goodson will be two more homegrown kids that will be looking to show off their own talents. Red shirt freshman Bradley Stephens and true freshman Cyrus Gray where both big names coming out of high school. While there is no doubt that Goodson is A&M's feature back, many believe that these two have the tools its will take to challenge Goodson for carries. Another change Sherman will bring to the new offense is the off season change of position for Javorski Lane. Lane has made the shift from tailback to fullback and hopes to use his size to open up holes for the speedy and Goodson. This shift will offer Aggies a chance to see the teams two best backs on the field at the same time, and there should be little doubt that Lane will be getting a chance to carry the ball during significant short yardage situations and continue to add on to his gaudy career touchdown numbers.
While the Aggies may have an abundance of talent in the backfield, an area of concern for the Aggies this season could be at the other skill position. Under Fran's run happy offense, there was little opportunity for the the A&M wide receivers to show off their talent. Plenty of receivers have seen playing time, so the coaches will be looking for someone to step p and be the play maker this team needs. The receiving corps will be boosted by the return of Howard Morrow (who sat out all of last year with an injury.) The will also be receiving help from big time recruit Jeff Fuller.
The tight ends will also be a question mark for the Aggies going into this season. The Aggies are without second round draft pick Martellus Bennett and Joey Thomas. They will turn to Jamie McCoy who converted to tight end this past spring. You can also expect to see Billy Chavis and Frank Avery to see the field.
The offensive line has been Coach Mike Sherman's specialty during his coaching career. This is a specialty the Aggie line will need. The offense returns only one starter in Travis Schneider and Michael Shumard is the only other player with significant playing time. With the talent the Aggies sport in the backfield, the line will be looking to hold its own and allow for the play makers behind them to do their jobs.
