NCAA Football Preview - Texas A&M Aggies

Updated 8/29/2011 Courtesy of NCAAFootball.com

By Frank Haynes, Senior College Football Editor

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sports Network) - The Aggie faithful finally saw a return in their investment in Mike Sherman, as the third-year coach returned A&M to relevance in the Big 12. The Aggies posted their first winning campaign under Sherman, finishing 9-4 overall and a stellar 6-2 mark in-conference.

The team finished 3-1 outside of the Big 12, with a three-game winning streak to open the year against the likes of Stephen F. Austin (48-7), Louisiana Tech (48-16) and FIU (27-20). The team followed that with three straight losses to Oklahoma State (38-35), Arkansas (24-17) and Missouri (30-9). The Aggies could have packed it in being in an early 0-2 conference hole, but played the best football in recent memory down the stretch, winning its last six games (all in conference play), including a marquee victory over eventual Big 12 champion Oklahoma (33-19) in early November.

The team's strong finish earned it a spot in the Cotton Bowl, but the Aggies could not end on a winning note, falling to SEC power LSU (41-24), the team's fifth straight bowl loss.

2011 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: There is plenty to build off of from last season and even more to be excited about in College Station, with the return of 10 starters on the offensive side of the ball this year. Last year, the unit was extremely balanced, averaging over 440 yards of offense per game. Gone is QB Jerrod Johnson, but this became Ryan Tannehill's offense for a good portion of last year and the six starts and 1,638 yards passing can only help the senior as he is the top signal-caller to start the 2011 campaign.

Sherman thinks he has a special player in Tannehill.

"He's never wavered in his confidence and his ability to do the job. What he brings to the table besides confidence I think is a tremendous intellect. His athletic ability. I think he gets rid of the ball quick, makes quick decisions."

It also helps to have an explosive tailback to carry the load. Senior Cyrus Gray is coming off a 1,133-yard campaign in which he averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored 12 TDs. The return of a healthy Christine Michael (631 yards, four TDs) won't hurt either. Michael was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2009 but was limited due to injury in 2010.

Sherman likes the mix in the backfield.

"I think in the context of the way we play the game now where we're getting between 85 and 95 snaps a game, this is going to be plenty of opportunities for those guys to have opportunities with the football in their hand, whether catching it or being handed it. I think they both are a great one-two punch. They're so different type of runners that I think the defense will have to really know who is in the game because they both possess different things and have different strengths."

Tannehill also benefits from nearly everyone returning to the receiving corps, highlighted by WRs Jeff Fuller (72 receptions, 1,066 yards, 12 TDs), who earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors a year ago, and Ryan Swope (72 receptions, 825 yards, four TDs).

Plenty of talent returns along the offensive line as well, with four starters back, including sophomore tackle Luke Joeckel (6-6, 305), who was a Freshman All-American in 2010.

DEFENSE: The defensive unit for the Aggies returns eight starters, but Sherman must find new leaders with the exit of Butkus Award winner Von Miller (10.5 sacks, 17.5 TFLs) and last year's leading tackler Michael Hodges (115 stops).

Finding adequate pass rushing skills won't be easy, although someone like sophomore end Damontre Moore (6-4, 250) will give it a try. Moore was tabbed a Freshman All-American in 2010, recording 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Garrick Williams recorded a whopping 112 tackles a year ago and his veteran presence in the linebacking corps will help a lot. Also, look for Sean Porter (74 tackles, 7.0 TFLs) to have more of an impact.

Senior CBs Coryell Judie (57 tackles, four INTs) and Terrence Frederick (57 tackles, one INT) should solidify the play in the secondary. Judie was an All- Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2010.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Julie will also reprise his role as kick returner after averaging just over 30 yards per return in 2010 with two touchdowns. The kicking game is a proven commodity as well with the return of PK Randy Bullock and P Ryan Epperson. Bullock connected on 16 of his 21 field goal attempts with a long of 50 yards. Epperson averaged nearly 38 yards a punt last season.

OUTLOOK: The Aggies haven't posted double-digit wins since 1998, but that drought could end this season. The team returns plenty of veteran leadership and that could be half the battle after tasting success a year ago.

The team opens with a pair of non-conference games against SMU and Idaho. The Mustangs won't go quietly, but A&M should outlast them in College Station. The last non-league game comes against Arkansas in the third Southwest Classic from Arlington. Before that however, the team opens Big 12 play at home against Oklahoma State. The team also catches a break with home games against Baylor, Missouri and Texas. A November 5th date in Norman against Oklahoma looms large, especially with the Sooners seeking some revenge for last year's defeat.

It isn't the easiest of schedules this year, but the Aggies should be up to the challenge and could be in the conference race right to the finish.

Its a unique dynamic in College Station this season with so many returning players. Sherman understands the expectations heading into the season.

"Expectations, you know, I don't notice a change in my expectations. I always expect to win, put a good product out there. But this year, what we have coming back, the kids, I feel like we've been in this system now from just a football program system for three years, they understand the culture and structure and they understand how I want things done."