Big XII Football--Offseason News & Notes

[gc]

Aren't you totally forgetting about the Ags?

[Columbus Civil]

I still say when it's all said and done, if AD gets healthy we end up #2 in the Big XII.

I don't think you'll get by Tech or Baylor.

[columbiasooner]

October 15 at Kansas win
October 22 Baylor win
October 29 at Nebraska toss up
November 12 Texas A&M win
November 19 at No. 13 Texas Tech shaky
November 26 Oklahoma State win

I like our chances to finish 6-1 in conference with the Tech game up in the air. Tech has never really played us very well at home or away, and I am not sold on the this year's team yet. But like I said, without Adrian Peterson healthy, winning any of the remaining games is going to be a struggle.

[St-T]

Um, with Adrian healthy you couldn't win, either.

[columbiasooner]

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out

how the strong man stumbled, or where the Doer of Deeds

could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;

whose face is marred by the dust, and sweat and blood;

who strives valiantly; who errs and come short

again and again ...who knows the Great Enthusiasm,

the Great Devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause.

Who, at the best, knows in the End, the triumph of High Achievement,

and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while going greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls

who know neither Victory nor Defeat.

-- Theodore Roosevelt"

[gc]

^ Great quote. Sums up the Aggies.

[columbiasooner]

By the way..Has anyone noticed that OU has not lost to a team that is currently not in the A.P. Top 25? Now they haven't beaten any but it's definitely something to keep in mind.

gc..sorry Clemson isn't on the list.

[Columbus Civil]

Regardless of the outcome of this season, it's been fun watching you backpedal.

[Mballar]

By the way..Has anyone noticed that OU has not lost to a team that is currently not in the A.P. Top 25? Now they haven't beaten any but it's definitely something to keep in mind.

gc..sorry Clemson isn't on the list.

trying to save face. . .as usual, huh?

[psukhu]

Has anyone noticed that OU has not lost to a team that is currently not in the A.P. Top 25?

TCU is barely there at #25.

[St-T]

Regardless of the outcome of this season, it's been fun watching you backpedal.

No joke--how the mighty fall hard. OU will be lucky to go to a bowl game.

[columbiasooner]

No backpedalling here...there is still a hell of a long way to go. Good read for all the doubters..

[Columbus Civil]

But you have backed off your national and conference championship talk

Congrats to ksig for going 6-0 last week!

"Big" XII Week 3

Kansas State 28
Tech Tech 42

Oklahoma State 24
Texas A&M 28
(Aggies' last win of the season)

Oklahoma 13
Kansas 16

Iowa State 31
Missouri 21

Colorado 12
Texas 68

Nebraska 15
Baylor 14

[ksig121]

But you have backed off your national and conference championship talk

Congrats to ksig for going 6-0 last week!

"Big" XII Week 3

Kansas State 28
Tech Tech 42

Oklahoma State 24
Texas A&M 28
(Aggies' last win of the season)

Oklahoma 13
Kansas 16

Iowa State 31
Missouri 21

Colorado 12
Texas 68

Nebraska 15
Baylor 14

Thanks. It gets a little murky from here though...

"Big" XII Week 3

Kansas State 18
Tech Tech 32

Oklahoma State 10
Texas A&M 21

Oklahoma 21
Kansas 18

Iowa State 21
Missouri 6

Colorado 14
Texas 54

Nebraska 21
Baylor 14

I think that 0U is going to pull off a win and I think that the Texas margin won't be quite that big. (Although, I wish it would be.) Who knows?

I have been trying to refrain from this, but what the hell?

"HOOK 'EM!!" :bounce:

[columbiasooner]

Hey..I'm the eternal optimist what can I say?

"Big" XII Week 3

Kansas State 10
Tech Tech 45

Oklahoma State 20
Texas A&M 21

Oklahoma 42
Kansas 14

Iowa State 6
Missouri 24

Colorado 21
Texas 35

Nebraska 14
Baylor 24

[Markedallas]

TCU is barely there at #25.

I still can't get over how they lost to SMU. It would be nice if SMU could win some games. A good football team in Dallas would be fun.

[Columbus Civil]

http://franunderfire.com/

[columbiasooner]

Things are getting ugly in Aggieland. I have always contended that all Fran ever did was recruit 1 running back at TCU. I am not an Aggie hater, I personnally thought RC was a very good coach that just needed a few better Offensive coaches. After Fran pulled out the Alabama Crimson tie while attending the Heisman trophy ceremony with LT, and then left the Tide out in the cold after just one year that tells me all I need to know.

With that being said I still think the Aggies win enough games to go to a bowl this year.

[Columbus Civil]

I agree with you on Fran, but disagree with you on RC. RC was a decent coach, but had fallen very far behind in the recruiting wars, which was evident the year after he left. We needed to find someone to keep up with Stoops, Brown and Saban.

[columbiasooner]

I do see your point on RC and at the time I thought the same thing. I think my Fran opinion just clouds my judgement.

[Columbus Civil]

Yeah. I miss the days of only losing by 5 or 6 points.

[columbiasooner]

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=v1>Posted on Wed, Oct. 12, 2005</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=250 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=adlabel align=left><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1>_krdDartInc++;document.writ e('<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.1" SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/dfw.sports/sports;kw=center6;c2=sports_homepage;pos=center6;g roup=rectangle;tile='+_krdDartInc+';ord='+_krdDart Ord+'?"><\/SCRIPT>');</SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/dfw.sports/sports;kw=center6;c2=sports_homepage;pos=center6;g roup=rectangle;tile=3;ord=1131759367975?"></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="http://s0b.bluestreak.com/ix.e?jss&s=565208&u=&n=7481869&cltk=http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v5|3310|3|0|%2a|c%3B21913655%3B0-0%3B1%3B7908904%3B255-0|0%3B12438164|12456060|1%3B%3B%7Esscs%3D%3f"></SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript>var ShockMode = 0;var plugin = (navigator.mimeTypes && navigator.mimeTypes["application/x-shockwave-flash"]) ? navigator.mimeTypes["application/x-shockwave-flash"].enabledPlugin : 0;if (plugin &&parseInt(plugin.description.substring(plugin.des cription.indexOf(".")-1)) >=6) { ShockMode = 1;}else if (navigator.userAgent &&navigator.userAgent.indexOf("MSIE")>=0 && (navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Windows 95")>=0 || navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Windows 98")>=0 || navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Windows NT")>=0)){ document.write('<SCR' + 'IPT LANGUAGE=VBScript>'); document.writeln(' on error resume next '); document.write(' ShockMode = (IsObject(CreateObject("ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFl ash.6")))'); document.write('</SCR' + 'IPT>');}if ( ShockMode ){document.write("<OBJECT classid='clsid27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000' codebase='http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=5,0,0,0' WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=250 > \n

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FRAN FEVER FADING


Dennis Franchione's third season hasn't lived up to expectations

By JEFF CAPLAN

STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER


<!-- begin body-content -->COLLEGE STATION - The Texas A&M defense is pulling up the rear in the Big 12 and a once dynamic and explosive offense has cooled in the first two conference games.

Meanwhile, Baylor -- Baylor -- is garnering votes in The Associated Press Top 25 poll as the Aggies, ranked No. 17 in the preseason, have long since exited poll consideration.

Instead they've become something of a Rubik's Cube: No matter which way the pieces are turned, the colors aren't matching up.

"It's disappointing because you work so hard and then you go out and you lay an egg," senior safety Jaxson Appel said, referring to Saturday's 41-20 blowout loss at Colorado. "It's like studying all week for the test and then going out and making a 12 on it."

It's hardly what Aggies fans expected when the school unfurled the red carpet for Dennis Franchione. His mission was to restore a program that had sunk to the unacceptable depths of 6-6 under longtime former coach R.C. Slocum.

Yet, as the Aggies (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) prepare to play Oklahoma State on Saturday at Kyle Field, an unexpected urgency and angst surrounds the game. The Franchione era, now in its third season and treading below expectation, is coming under scrutiny for the first time.

In fact, in what has become a ritual of disenchanted fans around the country, a Web site recently popped up, franunderfire.com, a site that declares it is not a "Fire Fran site -- yet."

"We all feel, when you lose, when we don't play well, we haven't just let ourselves down, we've let a lot of other people down," Franchione said. "Aggies are as supportive and committal and as loyal as any place I've ever coached. Whatever is being said, we probably deserve it, a portion of it.

"I don't have a problem with criticism. I don't particularly care for what I think is unfair criticism, but I live in the forest and I can see what's inside, and some people can't. So sometimes I'm the only one who can recognize what I think is unfair criticism."

Franchione chose not to divulge what he has deemed to be unfair criticism, but he said he recognizes that the team has not delivered the punch desired by fans, or himself.

"I don't accept things like that, and I'm never going to," Franchione said. "I haven't walked in [at other jobs] and snapped my fingers and everything changed overnight. I take it as a compliment that people think that's going to happen."

It appeared that way at Franchione's previous stops at TCU and Alabama, where losing records quickly became winning ones.

On Saturday, Franchione, one of a handful of $2 million coaches after receiving a raise after last season's 7-5 record, will coach his 30th game at A&M. He needs a victory to reach .500. And with a road record that dipped to 2-10 on Saturday, glaring weaknesses on defense and perplexing issues on offense, a turnaround this season, or even next, no longer appers imminent.

"I understand that sometimes things don't happen as quickly as you want them to happen. It's frustrating for me and them [the fans]," Franchione said. "Believe me, I don't think there's anybody who might have an expectation higher of me than myself."

Frustrated players and coaches have been unable to pinpoint reasons why the offense has sputtered or why the defense seems lost. Franchione spoke Tuesday about mounting injuries and young, inexperienced players being pressed into service.

But, with a couple of highly touted recruiting classes under his wing, he also said those things are not excuses for A&M's ills.

"How you handle adversity in this game, like life, is how you move forward," Franchione said. "All glory is fleeting. I think guys think they can still make plays."

Players said they continue to play hard but simply have not executed.

"It is gut-check time," said quarterback Reggie McNeal, who has not been sharp in recent games but also has been the victim of multiple dropped passes. "We can go out and play flat like we've been doing and it can put us on a slope going downhill. If we go out and play like we know how it boosts everybody's confidence."

A&M's remaining six games can be broken down into sets of three. The first three are against vulnerable teams: Oklahoma State, at Kansas State and back home against Iowa State. Those have become must-win games if hopes of contending for the Big 12 title are to materialize for a brutal November stretch: at No. 13 Texas Tech, at Oklahoma and finally against No. 2 Texas at Kyle Field.

That urgency, players said, has become apparent in Franchione's normally staid exterior.

"In the past I've seen him pretty calm and cool and relaxed, and he really never got on anybody too hard," junior linebacker Justin Warren said. "With the high expectations, he has stepped up his intensity. I can notice it, and I know other players can notice it if I can. I can definitely see the sense of urgency with this team."

FRAN'S FIVE DUBIOUS DISTINCTIONS

Five moments the Aggies and coach Dennis Franchione would like to forget:

Wrecked Crew

In Fran's first season, 2003, the Aggies suffer the worst loss in school history, 77-0 at Oklahoma, and the Wrecking Crew is officially forgotten.

4-8

Excitement turns to disappointment as A&M is routed in six of eight Big 12 games in Coach Fran's debut season. The Aggies finish under .500 for the first time since 1980 and have the most losses since 1972, when they were 3-8.

Bear trap

In 2004, Baylor ends A&M's six-game winning streak and launches the Aggies on a downward spiral as they lose four of their last five games. It's Baylor's first victory over A&M since 1985.

Cotton humiliation

On Jan. 1, 2005, Fran is coaching in the first New Year's Day bowl of his career, and the Aggies are playing in their first Cotton Bowl since 1997. They are manhandled by Tennessee 38-7.

Buffaloed

On Saturday, Colorado's Joel Klatt sets a school record for most passing yards in a quarter (211) as the Buffaloes roll up 559 total yards in a 41-20 victory.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>

[St-T]

Finally, the game of the year (for me) is here!

[Columbus Civil]

I don't think it will be close, although I hope you guys win.

[columbiasooner]

It's our last hope.

[Columbus Civil]

I think Baylor will extinguish any hope the Sooners may have.

[Kelley USA]

Come on TECH!!! I still can't believe we're ranked in the top 10 in all 3 polls... Oh what a glorious day for Tech football. It seems like a dream! As goofy as he may be- Mike Leach has done an incredible job!

[columbiasooner]

I think Baylor will extinguish any hope the Sooners may have.

First of all, OU will not lose to Baylor.
Second, I wasn't talking about the Sooners, I just want the Mack Brown streak of 0 conference championships to stay alive, and I believe that TT is the only team with a chance to beat the Longhorns.

[Columbus Civil]

Texas will steamroll their remaining opponents. I'm not sure how they'll fare in their bowl game, though.

Don't overestimate OU. They looked dreadful against Kansas, and Baylor is better than Kansas.
Bears by 3 touchdowns.

[psukhu]

What is the best rank Tech can finish if they beat Texas and win the rest of their games? (assuming the other top 10 teams keep on winning)

[St-T]

If the rest keep winning--

1. USC
2. VaTech
3. Georgia or Alabama (one will loose in SEC Champ)
4. Tech

[ksig121]

This weekend will be a good one. Texas has a sound #2 in the BCS and a win over the 10th ranked team in the country will go a long way to keep us ahead of VA Tech. I must say that the Raiders will be our biggest hurdle. However, we will leap that one like we have all of the others this season.

I think that Tech is a great team. They have the misfortune of being that good while Texas fields the best team that is has in a long time. Trust me, I know how it feels (Sooners...).

I wish the Red Raiders all the luck in the world on Saturday and I look forward to seeing the shoot-out. Here's my prediction:

Tech 34
Texas 42

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!

[ksig121]

"Big" XII Week 3

Kansas State 18 17
Tech Tech 32 59

Oklahoma State 10 23
Texas A&M 21 62

Oklahoma 21 19
Kansas 18 3

Iowa State 21 24
Missouri 6 27

Colorado 14 17
Texas 54 42 (easily could have been 70+)

Nebraska 21 23
Baylor 14 14



OK. I was off by one this time. The margins were way higher than I expected. Any predictions for next weekend?

[St-T]

Has ESPN annouced where Game Day is for this weekend?

[St-T]

Bcs Ranking Just Came Out:

1. Usc
2. texas
3. Va Tech
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
6. Lsu
7. texas Tech!!
8. Miami
9. Ucla
10. Penn State

[ksig121]

Has ESPN annouced where Game Day is for this weekend?

Austin, TX.

[St-T]

Austin, TX.

I was hoping so... I can't find it on ESPN's website. Thanks for the info, though.

I'm hoping that this is a close game w/ a lot of offense!

[mikedsjr]

I don't care if its high scoring and close as long as The Longhorns wins.

[St-T]

^Go Tech!!!

[Columbus Civil]

2 bits
4 bits
6 bits
a dollar

[columbiasooner]

Don't overestimate OU. They looked dreadful against Kansas, and Baylor is better than Kansas.
Bears by 3 touchdowns.

The Bears haven't scored more than 14 points against a Big XII opponent and their sails deflated after the Nebraska game. AD will sit out again this week and be 100% healthy for Nebraska. OU won't lose Homecoming.

[Columbus Civil]

AD will sit out again this week

In that case, Baylor by 40.

[columbiasooner]

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow><TD></TD><TD>Nebraska 24
Missouri 14
</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>



</TD><TD>
Oklahoma State 17
Iowa State 21

</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD></TD><TD>Texas A&M 35
Kansas State 17
</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD></TD><TD> Texas Tech 28
Texas 45
</TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD></TD><TD>Kansas 3
Colorado 24
</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD></TD><TD>Baylor 3
Oklahoma 35
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[ksig121]

Nebraska 24
Missouri 10


Oklahoma State 17
Iowa State 21


Texas A&M 28
Kansas State 13


Kansas 3
Colorado 35

Baylor 14
Oklahoma 21

Tech 34
Texas 42

[Columbus Civil]

Nebraska 24
Missouri 7

Oklahoma State 13
Iowa State 21

Texas A&M 27
Kansas State 21

Texas Tech 21
Texas 42

Kansas 10
Colorado 24

Baylor 10
Oklahoma 21

[columbiasooner]

ksig: Texas prediction?

[ksig121]

Sorry..just updated it.

[columbiasooner]

I just don't see TT hanging with Texas because of the Texas Line play on both sides of the ball. Those guys are just dominating. Then again, I didn't really see Cody Hodges throwing for 640 frickin yards last week either.

[Columbus Civil]

If you want to see how to beat Tech's offense, watch the second half of the Nebraska game. They replaced a lineman with an extra linebacker and did a good job disguising their blitzes.

[columbiasooner]

It also helps that they run a similar offense (if there is such a thing). Nebraska's defense is very salty this year.