How Texas A&M's season spun out of control

By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle

BAD TIMING: While generally productive, Ryan Tannehill has had some interceptions that contributed to A&M's blown leads. EDWARD A. ORNELAS: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWSs Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS / © SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (NFS)

Saturday's four-overtime loss at Kansas State - the fourth time Texas A&M squandered a double-digit lead in the second half - left the Aggies 5-5 in a season they started in the top 10. Brent Zwerneman shows how five and five can be boiled down to five big reasons:

Defensive busts

Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said it best following Saturday's 53-50 loss: "You cannot give up big pass plays with a 10-point lead."

The Aggies did so time and again against Kansas State, and they did so in blowing big leads to Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Missouri. DeRuyter earned a reputation last year for making pinpoint in-game adjustments, but this year he had trouble doing so against the up-tempo offenses of OSU, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Offensive puckering

The offense has come out strong in the first half of four of A&M's losses, then ducked into a shell while trying to protect big leads. While opposing defenses have adjusted to whatever the Aggies have thrown at them in the first half, A&M has failed to make its own adjustments and keep pouring on the points. Case in point: The Aggies have been outscored 59-7 in the third quarter of their five losses.

Coach Mike Sherman calls the plays, and he was asked Monday if he might hire an offensive coordinator in the offseason.

"We're sixth in the country in offense, and we're a team that can run and throw the ball effectively," Sherman said. "I feel confident in what we're doing and how we're doing it - I just wish we were doing it better."

Perhaps Sherman could do it better with help calling the offense - also freeing him up to get more involved in all aspects (as a head coach should be).

Lack of quality defensive depth

Sherman is in his fourth season and has shown a knack for recruiting quality offensive players. Defensively? His recruiting on that front has left plenty to be desired, and it's costing the Aggies this season.

For instance, standout cornerback Coryell Judie, considered the team's best defender entering the season, has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury. The drop-off has been considerable. His fill-in, Lionel Smith, had three pass interference penalties Saturday.

Untimely turnovers

Senior quarterback Ryan Tannehill, a future surgeon, entered this season with a reputation for strong game management. That hasn't been the case, however, as untimely interceptions have crushed the Aggies' momentum, especially when they've clutched leads in the eventual losses.

A&M is tied for 107th nationally in turnover margin at minus-8.

SEC distraction

Finally, an excuse for the Aggies: Entering a season with their first Top 10 ranking since 1999, they also had to deal with the distraction of the school's drawn-out exit from the Big 12 and entrance into the SEC. That took place through training camp and even three games into the season.

The official announcement didn't come until two days after their first loss, a one-point setback to current No. 2 Oklahoma State. A&M linebacker Sean Porter, on the day of the announcement, dubbed the SEC hubbub a distraction and said he was glad it was finally over.

Now? Players and fans can't wait for the Aggies' most disappointing season in memory finally to be over.