It's still early, but...

[Mr. Happy]

A&M is outplaying and outcoaching Alabama.

[austro]

A&M is outplaying and outcoaching Alabama.

Completely. I've not been impressed by Alabama so far this season, and they would have lost last week if anybody other than Les Miles was coaching LSU. I also get a big kick out of UT telling Manziel that they didn't think he could play QB.

[Mr. Happy]

Completely. I've not been impressed by Alabama so far this season, and they would have lost last week if anybody other than Les Miles was coaching LSU. I also get a big kick out of UT telling Manziel that they didn't think he could play QB.

Don't get me started on last week's debacle. Les gaveth, and then Les taketh away.

[austro]

Ok, Alabama has figured out that they're in a game. Let's see how A&M answers.

[OregonStrosFan]

I could give a crap about aTm SEC football. That said... The Aggies have got a fun one to watch in Johnny M! Kid can play some ball!!! (And hope they kick the crap out of Alabama).

[chuck]

I also get a big kick out of UT telling Manziel that they didn't think he could play QB.

I get as big a kick out of that as I do not being able to watch a home conference game in the year 2012. Fucking incompetent arrogant idiots. Also the signal new Houston radio affiliates is useless so I might as well have been on the South Pole.

[austro]

Manziel is one tough QB to defend. And he's only a freshman.

[austro]

Also the signal new Houston radio affiliates is useless so I might as well have been on the South Pole.

Are you talking about UT or the Astros?

[OregonStrosFan]

What is the rule there?!? I thought that as long as the toe came down in bounds, that was enough. Is that not the case (or did the replay official just call it inconclusive?)

[Savage]

What is the rule there?!? I thought that as long as the toe came down in bounds, that was enough. Is that not the case (or did the replay official just call it inconclusive?)

I think the rule is we couldn't POSSIBLY have a national title game without an SEC team.

[Andyzipp]

Ahem.  WHOOP! 

I'll go back to not posting about college football now.

[austro]

Congrats to the Aggies. They were clearly the superior team today, and I'm happy for them.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Congrats to the Aggies. They were clearly the superior team today, and I'm happy for them.

Yes. Congrats for a great win in a great atmosphere.  And suck it, Nick Saban.

[austro]

Yes. Congrats for a great win in a great atmosphere.  And suck it, Nick Saban.

Yup. Although the Ags may want to recruit a kicker.

[Savage]

Yup. Although the Ags may want to recruit a kicker.

I thought they said on the telecast the kicker was a redshirt freshman?!?!?!  Irish always (including now) have a dreadful kicker.  Until recently it wasn't a scholarship position and they'd end up doing tryouts from the soccer team.

[austro]

I was watching the Kentucky basketball game last night, and they were talking about their 7'1" center and what a great athlete he was. Apparently he played wide receiver in high school, and he terrorized opposing defensive backs (small wonder). But that got me thinking: why hasn't somebody, somewhere, recruited a guy like that for short-yardage or goal-line situations. Just let the guy run a 5-yard hook pattern, and then throw the ball up around 9 feet and let him grab it. Why hasn't somebody tried this yet?

[NeilT]

Because it would only result in a 7'1" defensive back?

[BizidyDizidy]

I was watching the Kentucky basketball game last night, and they were talking about their 7'1" center and what a great athlete he was. Apparently he played wide receiver in high school, and he terrorized opposing defensive backs (small wonder). But that got me thinking: why hasn't somebody, somewhere, recruited a guy like that for short-yardage or goal-line situations. Just let the guy run a 5-yard hook pattern, and then throw the ball up around 9 feet and let him grab it. Why hasn't somebody tried this yet?

http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/toilolo_levine00.html

[BizidyDizidy]

What is the rule there?!? I thought that as long as the toe came down in bounds, that was enough. Is that not the case (or did the replay official just call it inconclusive?)

Based on my extensive knowledge of the NCAA rulebook (and reading Twitter), you have to have a full foot in bounds in college.

[Ebby Calvin]

If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but the enemy of my enemy is also my enemy, who will be my friend?

Congrats, Ags.  Great win.

[Lefty]

I was watching the Kentucky basketball game last night, and they were talking about their 7'1" center and what a great athlete he was. Apparently he played wide receiver in high school, and he terrorized opposing defensive backs (small wonder). But that got me thinking: why hasn't somebody, somewhere, recruited a guy like that for short-yardage or goal-line situations. Just let the guy run a 5-yard hook pattern, and then throw the ball up around 9 feet and let him grab it. Why hasn't somebody tried this yet?

Nerlens Noel?  Kid has talent, no doubt.

As far as the nfl goes, it worked for a few years and even helped win a Super Bowl, but gangy legs make larger targets in nightclub self-shootings.

[DVauthrin]

Even as a Horn, yesterday was one time I was pulling for A&M.  I hate Saban and Bama, and the media lovefest for them.  So happy to see them lose.  It was glorious to watch.

[remy]

Even as a Horn, yesterday was one time I was pulling for A&M.  I hate Saban and Bama, and the media lovefest for them.  So happy to see them lose.  It was glorious to watch.

Baylor Bear here echoing the same sentiments.

[Bench]

I also like the SEC derptards whining that Sumlin and the Aggies aren't running a "true" football offense.  It's not fair!  They snap the ball so quick and refuse to just run downhill!  That is not real football!

[ybbodeus]

SEC fans are still bitching about the loss of 8-track so whining about "new" football only makes senae--no offense, Happy.

[Mr. Happy]

SEC fans are still bitching about the loss of 8-track so whining about "new" football only makes senae--no offense, Happy.

No offense taken. No one was pulling harder for the Aggies than me. I said it here while LSU played A&M: Manziel is the real deal.

[juliogotay]

Did I hear correctly that Manziel would have accepted Texas if offered?

[JimR]

Congrats, Aggies!

[Waldo]

UT and A&M are both 8-2 but A&M has looked a hell of a lot better.  I still think the SEC is overrated but give the Ags credit for beating #1 Bama in Tuscaloosa.

[ybbodeus]

The aggies are playing lights out good, but Texas is playing more confidently every week. That matters.

If both teams win out...?  Holy crap, how does the bowl system NOT flip over backwards to force the issue?

Damn.

[drew corleone]

Did I hear correctly that Manziel would have accepted Texas if offered?

Not sure, but easy to play the hindsight game. I like Ash and am happy with him, but Johnny Football is doing a helluva job and the Ags had. Great win.

[BizidyDizidy]

Cotton bowl

[ybbodeus]

Doesn't TAMU have to jump at least one team, maybe two, to get to Jonestown? What other Big 12/SEC marchioness bowl is there? Can't recall off the top of my head.

[Mr. Happy]

UT and A&M are both 8-2 but A&M has looked a hell of a lot better.  I still think the SEC is overrated but give the Ags credit for beating #1 Bama in Tuscaloosa.

Waldo: Get real. The SEC has dominated college football for at least the past seven to ten years. I do think that some of the other conferences are catching up though.

[Andyzipp]

I don't think either AD wants to play the other in the Cotton Bowl this year.  The committee may force the issue.  FWIW, the ChickFilA Bowl is very interested in A&M.

[chuck]

FWIW, the ChickFilA Bowl is very interested in A&M.

Just wait until the Chick-fil-A management discovers the Yell Leaders.

[BizidyDizidy]

Dudes can't fuck dudes, sheep are fine

[chuck]

Dudes can't fuck dudes, sheep are fine

Sure as hell can't marry either one. You want to marry yourself a goat? Well, that seems all right.

[Andyzipp]

Just wait until the Chick-fil-A management discovers the Yell Leaders.

And I'm done.

[juliogotay]

Waldo: Get real. The SEC has dominated college football for at least the past seven to ten years. I do think that some of the other conferences are catching up though.

For what it's worth, Hap, I heard that the Big 12 is the top conference this year so far as determined by the computers. That was reported Sat. a.m. on Gameday. That doesn't change your statement....the SEC has been the toughest conference over the past decade at least at the top of the conference.

[Duman]

I also like the SEC derptards whining that Sumlin and the Aggies aren't running a "true" football offense.  It's not fair!  They snap the ball so quick and refuse to just run downhill!  That is not real football!

I haven't heard anything of the sort.  The SEC has played those teams pretty well over the last few years.  Oregon, which has been the fast offense standard, has a 1-2 record in this 2010's against SEC teams (small sample size granted).  Killed TN in 2010, lost to Auburn in BCS game 2011 and to LSU in 2011. 

Johnny M played a great game.  If Bama plays their usual level; they win.  You have to give A&M credit from taking Bama out of their game.  The pace clearly bothered the D in the first half.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kingsbury's name start coming up in the next Auburn head coach talks since he coached the offense that beat bama.
 

[Duman]

For what it's worth, Hap, I heard that the Big 12 is the top conference this year so far as determined by the computers. That was reported Sat. a.m. on Gameday. That doesn't change your statement....the SEC has been the toughest conference over the past decade at least at the top of the conference.

I would love to see those computer results.  I don't see how a conference with 4 teams rated in the BCS top 25 is ranked higher than the Pac 12 with six teams in the BCS top 25.  Much less how they can be stronger than a league with six teams in the top 9 in the BCS rankings.  Granted Auburn and Kentucky are hurting the SEC ratings this year.  But when one conference makes up more than half of the BCS top 10, it is hard for me to see any other conference as stronger.

[HudsonHawk]

I would love to see those computer results.  I don't see how a conference with 4 teams rated in the BCS top 25 is ranked higher than the Pac 12 with six teams in the BCS top 25.  Much less how they can be stronger than a league with six teams in the top 9 in the BCS rankings.  Granted Auburn and Kentucky are hurting the SEC ratings this year.  But when one conference makes up more than half of the BCS top 10, it is hard for me to see any other conference as stronger.

The SEC has 6 teams in the BCS top 10, and the only reason they're not THE top 6 is because they've all had to play each other.  To suggest any other conference is at the top is ludicrous.  The Big 12 is probably third.

[BudGirl]

The SEC has 6 teams in the BCS top 10.  To suggest any other conference is at the top is ludicrous.  The Big 12 is probably third.

C-USA is 2nd?

I kid.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kingsbury's name start coming up in the next Auburn head coach talks since he coached the offense that beat bama.
 

As an Aggie, this is my fear.  I know that Sumlin and Kingsbury probably share an equal credit for bringing the Air Raid to the SEC, but I'd hate to see Kliff gone after just one year.

[Bench]

UT and A&M are both 8-2 but A&M has looked a hell of a lot better.  I still think the SEC is overrated but give the Ags credit for beating #1 Bama in Tuscaloosa.

Exactly. A perrenial big 12 also-ran goes to the SEC and exposes them for the frauds that they are.

(sarcasm)

[MusicMan]

As an Aggie, this is my fear.  I know that Sumlin and Kingsbury probably share an equal credit for bringing the Air Raid to the SEC, but I'd hate to see Kliff gone after just one year.

Your fear should be what happens to JFF after he loses two first-round tackles protecting him.

[JimR]

I haven't heard anything of the sort.  The SEC has played those teams pretty well over the last few years.  Oregon, which has been the fast offense standard, has a 1-2 record in this 2010's against SEC teams (small sample size granted).  Killed TN in 2010, lost to Auburn in BCS game 2011 and to LSU in 2011. 

Johnny M played a great game.  If Bama plays their usual level; they win.  You have to give A&M credit from taking Bama out of their game.  The pace clearly bothered the D in the first half.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kingsbury's name start coming up in the next Auburn head coach talks since he coached the offense that beat bama.
 

 "If Bama plays their usual level; they win."

oh, of course. no one REALLY beats Alabama.

[DVauthrin]

I haven't heard anything of the sort.  The SEC has played those teams pretty well over the last few years.  Oregon, which has been the fast offense standard, has a 1-2 record in this 2010's against SEC teams (small sample size granted).  Killed TN in 2010, lost to Auburn in BCS game 2011 and to LSU in 2011.
 

The difference: A&M's offensive line is much better than Oregon's was in those games.   SEC defenses aren't built to play a spread team that has a good quarterback with an offensive line that can hold its own.   The SEC defenses all face similar pro style offenses week after week, and in those games, they do well.  This is the 1st up tempo spread offense with multiple 1st round caliber offensive linemen they faced, and they got beat.  

This would have first been exposed in 2009 if Marcell Dareus hadn't landed perfectly on Colt McCoy's throwing shoulder.

[Jacksonian]

The difference: A&M's offensive line is much better than Oregon's was in those games.   SEC defenses aren't built to play a spread team that has a good quarterback with an offensive line that can hold its own.   The SEC defenses all face similar pro style offenses week after week, and in those games, they do well.  This is the 1st up tempo spread offense with multiple 1st round caliber offensive linemen they faced, and they got beat.  

Except when an SEC defense holds it down.  LSU had trouble at the outset with A&M fired up.  Then shut them down the rest of the way.

I hate Alabama but when a defense has to face a very good Miss St. team, then LSU, then A&M in successive weeks, it's Herculean to win all 3. And they nearly did.  I'd bet no team this year could run that gauntlet and come out 3-0.

[Andyzipp]

Your fear should be what happens to JFF after he loses two first-round tackles protecting him.

Matthews and Joeckel are both juniors.  Matthews is returning, and Joeckle has said he is returning (NFL top 5 money would be hard to walk away with from, so huge grain of salt).  I think A&M loses Damontre Moore but keeps their tackles another year.

[DVauthrin]

Except when an SEC defense holds it down.  LSU had trouble at the outset with A&M fired up.  Then shut them down the rest of the way.

I hate Alabama but when a defense has to face a very good Miss St. team, then LSU, then A&M in successive weeks, it's Herculean to win all 3. And they nearly did.  I'd bet no team this year could run that gauntlet and come out 3-0.

I wouldn't call Miss St anything special.  They got exposed after finally having to play a team with a pulse.

Also, LSU has Mingo and Montgomery, two elite pass rushers.  Bama doesn't.   If A&M doesn't screw up the last 5 minutes of the second quarter in that game vs LSU, they likely win that game.  Instead the two dumb turnovers turned that entire game around as they trailed at half despite whipping LSU around the 1st half. 

Let's run through Saban's time at Bama vs pass happy spread offenses:  Loss vs Utah in Sugar Bowl, Loss vs A&M at home, and they were on their way to losing before McCoy got hurt in 2009.   He had success against Tebow, but that's about it.  It's a weakness of a Saban led defense.  The spread can beat it, if you can pass protect.

[Mr. Happy]

For what it's worth, Hap, I heard that the Big 12 is the top conference this year so far as determined by the computers. That was reported Sat. a.m. on Gameday. That doesn't change your statement....the SEC has been the toughest conference over the past decade at least at the top of the conference.

I would argue that this is a down year for the SEC. The Big 12 and, at least, Oregon, in the PAC 12, are certainly within striking distance now. That's why I said that the gap is shrinking. Meyer will see to that.

[Mr. Happy]

The SEC has 6 teams in the BCS top 10, and the only reason they're not THE top 6 is because they've all had to play each other.  To suggest any other conference is at the top is ludicrous.  The Big 12 is probably third.

+1

[Duke]

Matthews and Joeckel are both juniors.  Matthews is returning, and Joeckle has said he is returning (NFL top 5 money would be hard to walk away with from, so huge grain of salt).  I think A&M loses Damontre Moore but keeps their tackles another year.

I think this is wishful thinking Zipp.  Both guys are prototypical tackles who have proven themselves against some bad-ass SEC defensive lines.  They're gone like a turkey through the corn.

[geezerdonk]

Or vice versa

[HudsonHawk]

Not the kind of publicity TAMU was hoping for.

[Andyzipp]

I think this is wishful thinking Zipp.  Both guys are prototypical tackles who have proven themselves against some bad-ass SEC defensive lines.  They're gone like a turkey through the corn.

We'll see.  Matthews returns for sure to play with his younger brother on the line.

[Phil_in_CS]

Not the kind of publicity TAMU was hoping for.

Great thing about the internet is that it makes naming and shaming that much easier.