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The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

Can Aggies get past the 8-5 mark?

SEC team previews and schedules Expert predictions and analysis

TAKING THE LEAD Christian Kirk and Armani Watts step up for Texas A&M

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THE EAGLE theeagle.com • aggiesports.com myaggienation.com CRYSTAL DUPRÉ

ROB CLARK

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ROBERT CESSNA

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executive sports editor

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LINDA BRINKMAN advertising manager

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CONTRIBUTORS Travis L. Brown Dave McDermand

ON THE COVER Christian Kirk and Armani Watts at Kyle Field. Eagle photo by Dave McDermand.

Armani Watts and Christian Kirk

TEXAS A&M

SEC PREVIEWS

By the numbers: Some of A&M’s most impressive statistics from the 2016 season. .............................. 6

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Under pressure: Robert Cessna writes that Kevin Sumlin has to avoid a late-season swoon. .................... 7

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Auburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 LSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Mississippi State . . . . . . . . 22

A new role: Receiver Christian Kirk embraces being a leader for the Aggies. .......................................... 8

Ole Miss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Ready to run: Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford will power the rushing attack. .................................... 11

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Ending strong: Safety Armani Watts looks to help A&M finish the season on a high note. ............... 12 Life after Myles: The interior line and secondary should be strengths for A&M’s defense. ....................... 14

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Texas A&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . 34 Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Vanderbilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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FEATURES Expert predictions: College football writers share their expectations on the season for A&M and the SEC. ........................ 38 SEC All-Name Team: From Brayden Berezowitz to Montana Murphy. ................................ 42 Mix tape: Songs for A&M and other SEC teams, along with some old rivals. ...................... 44 Battle of the mascots: Which animal reigns supreme in college football? ............................... 48 The hot seat: Just how hot does that particular seat get? ............ 50

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CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS A look at notable statistics from Texas A&M football in 2016

27

Shane Tripucka had 27 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2016, topping the previous record of 22

by Cody Scates and Drew Kaser.

163 23.1 83

Christian Kirk’s receptions in two years ranks fifth in A&M career history, behind Ryan Swope (252), Jeff Fuller (233), Terence Murphy (172) and Josh Reynolds (164).

Kirk’s punt return average over 26 games ranks first in the NCAA among active players.

Kirk is also the active leader in punt return touchdowns with five.

Kirk led the SEC in receptions in 2016.

1,057

Trayveon Williams was A&M’s first true freshman to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

When redshirt freshmen are included, Williams’ 1,057 ranks third behind Johnny Manziel in 2012 (1,410) and Greg Hill’s 1,216 (1991).

101,917 Average attendance at Kyle Field in 2016, which ranked third behind Michigan and Ohio State.

412

members of the Aggie Band in 2016.

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105 Kicker Daniel LaCamera’s points in 2016, which ranks ninth in A&M season scoring history.

ALL EYES ON SUMLIN

A&M coach needs to break past 8-5 mark from previous three seasons

Kevin Sumlin has a 44-21 record in five years as head coach at Texas A&M, after starting out with an 11-2 year in 2012.

AP photo AP photo

I

t’s hard to believe Kevin Sumlin is in this position.

Just three years ago, Texas A&M’s head football coach went into the season with Kenny Hill the starting quarterback, Kyle Allen the backup and Kyler Murray four months from joining the program.

It was too much to expect a second coming of Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, but it seemed the Aggies would have great success for many years. Each quarterback had flashes of greatness, but all fizzled out, leaving Sumlin’s tenure on tenuous footing after three straight 8-5 seasons.

Now, Sumlin’s fate rests with quarterbacks who have combined for three starts. The inexperience under center is a big reason the Aggies are picked fifth in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference. Even the teams pegged behind A&M — Mississippi State and Ole Miss — have stability at quarterback with youngsters who beat the Aggies last season (Nick Fitzgerald and Shea Patterson).

It’s frustrating for Aggie fans. Sumlin was hired for his offensive prowess. What A&M did with Manziel was expected to become the norm. The Aggies put their money where their swagger was, giving Sumlin a hefty raise to prevent him from bolting for Southern Cal or the NFL. But instead of A&M’s offense changing the SEC, the Aggies have been the ones doing the constant changing, unable to find consistency at quarterback and coordinator.

Clarence McKinney was good at running the offense as long as he had a healthy Manziel. Jake Spavital was the quarterbacks’ big brother, but being a disciplinarian was another matter. And somehow, under his two years, the Aggies went from having Hill, Allen and Murray

ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com with Tate Martell on the way to running off all four.

How does that happen?

A&M was somewhat fortunate landing Blinn’s Jake Hubenak, a former Oklahoma State walk-on, and Oklahoma graduate transfer Trevor Knight. It was nice that Sumlin had a Plan B, but A&M shouldn’t be settling for second best.

You can make the case that Sumlin’s offense hasn’t been bad. Last season’s unit averaged 211.8 yards rushing and 467 total yards per game, the best in the post-Manziel era. But the Aggies’ passing efficiency rating was 127.53, 74th in the country, and just slightly better than the previous season. It’s hard not to imagine A&M would have been better off had one or two of those quarterbacks stayed.

Even with revolving quarterbacks, Sumlin is an envious 44-21. It’s those back-heavy 8-5 nosedives that have his job in jeopardy. And after further review, he’s one play from four straight 8-5 finishes. The Aggies needed the biggest comeback in school history to beat Duke in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl. That overshadowed backto-back losses to LSU and Missouri to end the regular season, which was the first indication A&M could struggle offensively in the SEC. One thing Sumlin critics and supporters agree on is he can’t beat the SEC teams that matter most, Alabama and LSU. Oh, he’ll always have the 29-24 victory at No. 1 Alabama in 2012, a la A&M’s 30-26 victory over No. 1

Oklahoma in 2002. Though Aggies still talk about that OU victory, the bottom line is Reggie McNeal did little thereafter, and R.C. Slocum was fired at season’s end.

Thus far, Sumlin has failed to build on that Alabama victory. He’s lost four straight to the Crimson Tide, getting outscored 133-37 in the last three. Sumlin also has lost five straight times to LSU, each seemingly more frustrating than the previous one, capped by last year’s 54-39 shellacking.

LSU rushed for 298 yards and threw for 324 by completing 20 of 28 passes. That’s the offense A&M is supposed to have. Those are numbers Aggies never expected an opponent to have at Kyle Field after hiring former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.

A&M made remarkable progress in Chavis’ first season, going from 102nd in total defense to 51st. That prompted Wrecking Crew expectations from Aggies, and Sumlin, who last summer said the defense would be a top 20 or top 15 unit. But after LSU’s Derrius Guice rushed for 285 yards, and Kansas State scored on four possessions of at least 75 yards in a Texas Bowl victory, the team finished the year 90th in total defense.

A frustrated A&M program headed into another offseason 8-5, and not a good 8-5.

The program’s only significant offseason change was firing strength coach Larry Jackson. Can a new strength coach make that much of a difference? Sumlin has been praising Mark Hocke, but even he realizes Aggies will wait to see what happens on the scoreboard.

Hocke’s changes have to work. The quarterback play needs to be solid. And it’s time for the defense to win games. If that doesn’t happen and A&M has another late-season swoon, Sumlin won’t survive.

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Follow the leader Christian Kirk welcomes a new role for A&M

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Eagle photo by Dave McDermand

Eagle file photo As a sophomore, Christian Kirk led the SEC in receptions with 83. He has 163 receptions in two years, and is the first Aggie to have consecutive 80-catch seasons.

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com Many of Texas’ future college wide receivers converged on College Station in mid-July to participate in the state 7-on-7 tournament. Several noted that they were catching passes a few blocks away from their college idol, Texas A&M junior receiver Christian Kirk.

“I watch Christian Kirk a lot,” said Dickinson wideout and A&M commit Montel Parker. “I want to play slot when I come to college, and I look at how he runs his routes and the stuff he does to prepare to be great on the field and off.”

The ascension into the hearts and minds of future stars has been a quick trip for the former five-star recruit out of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. In just two seasons with the Aggies, Kirk has led the Southeastern Conference in receptions and led the nation in punt return yards and punt return touchdowns. He has accumulated 1,937 receiving yards, which already places him seventh all-time in the Aggie record books.

But Kirk said his legacy rests on more than stats.

“Being on the front of the magazines and spotlight and all that, that’s not something I seek

out,” Kirk said. “That’s not why I do it. I do it just because I just want to be the best player or the best person I can be.”

Kirk was recruited in high school by former A&M receivers coach David Beaty, who now serves as head coach at Kansas. Beaty said he had heard of Kirk’s upstanding character before their communication began, and he tested the high schooler by calling him at various times through the day to see if he would take the call. Kirk never failed to respond, Beaty said.

“The best players I’ve ever been around are the ones that work the hardest, and Christian Kirk, you are going to have a hard time outworking this cat,” Beaty said.

Kirk has not let his accolades — including a 2016 AP All-America nod and 2017 preseason All-America honors — change that work ethic.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound receiver said he knew he could make improvements in high-point catches and pulling down jump-ball throws that were typically the forte of former A&M receiver Josh Reynolds.

“They come at important times of the game, because not often are you going to be running wide open, and you’ve got to make those catches,” Kirk said.

But the most important work Kirk has demonstrated over the offseason is stepping into the role of a vocal leader, which was vacated by NFLbound defensive end Myles Garrett and quarterback Trevor Knight.

Kirk can help usher in a new generation of Aggie wide receivers. The team lost more than 62 percent of its receiving yardage from last season to the NFL and transfers.

“He’s hard-working and a leader and everybody can see that,” Aggie safety Armani Watts said. “He outworks everybody and tries to be the best … and is one of the best in the country.”

So, could Kirk finish his time at A&M as the best receiver in program history? Heading into his junior year, he sits 89 receptions and 1,180 yards behind career leader Ryan Swope. However, first-round projections in the 2018 NFL Draft have started to surface. He has declined on multiple occasions to comment on the NFL possibilities.

Kirk’s focus lies in his ability to man the reins of the Aggie football team, he said.

“I want to be that constant that is always there, that everybody can look towards, just with my experience and just being the main leader,” he said.

“That’s something that I’m looking forward to, and just developing through fall camp.”

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Trayveon Williams set the A&M rushing record for true freshmen with 1,057 yards in 2016.

AP photo

A&M AIMS FOR MORE RUSHING SUCCESS Williams and Ford return after impressive debuts

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin often reminded the media in spring 2016 that early enrollee Trayveon Williams should be at senior prom instead of college football practice.

The true freshman would go on to lead the team in rushing, and set rushing records for freshmen.

This year, he will be counted on as a primary weapon on an inexperienced offense.

The Houston native burst into the national spotlight on a muggy September evening in Auburn, torching the Tiger defense for 127 yards and his first touchdown. The 89-yard scamper, the longest by an Aggie since A&M joined the SEC, sealed the victory with just under 7 minutes to go in the game.

Williams was A&M’s first true freshman to gain 200 yards in a game (217 against Tennessee) and the first true freshman to break the 1,000-yard mark (1,057 for the year).

As a sophomore, Williams will have a better feel for what it takes to get through the grind of an SEC season, according to wide receiver Christian Kirk.

“He went through some growing pains a little bit in his freshman year, the same ones I went through in the middle of that season, with battling a couple of injuries and body getting beat down,” he said. “He

Eagle file photo Keith Ford gained 669 yards in his first year with A&M after transferring from Oklahoma. knows what his preparation has to look like, and he knows what his recovery has to look like. It’s just all piecing it together.”

Williams has the luxury of working behind an offensive line that has 52 combined starts. He also will share snaps with senior Keith Ford, who racked up 669 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with A&M after transferring from Oklahoma.

“It will be important for sure to have that experience,” Kirk said. “They’ve been there before. They both run the ball hard, and both will be constant guys that we’ll be able to rely on and will have to lean on through the season.”

With inexperience at the quarterback position and in the receiver slots outside of Kirk, Williams will have more of a leadership role.

“Leading by example is doing your job,” Sumlin said. “If you’re doing your job, that’s not real leadership to me. We’ve had that discussion. Guys have to get outside themselves to be leaders. I think that’s something we’ve talked with a number of guys on the team about. Obviously, a guy like Trayveon Williams has made some steps in the offseason and has become very, very vocal.”

The Aggies had a balanced offensive attack last year, averaging 255.2 yards passing and 211.8 rushing. Kirk said he expects that balance and improvement to continue.

“I believe we were one of the most balanced offenses in the SEC, if not the country,” Kirk said. “We have a lot of talent at running back, and those guys have gotten better this offseason. At receiver, I don’t expect much of a drop-off, just because we hold ourselves, as receivers, to a high standard. For me, being a leader from that aspect, I’m not going to let us perform anything below that.”

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FINISH THE FIGHT Armani Watts wants a strong ďŹ nal chapter at A&M

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Eagle photo by Dave McDermand

Eagle file photo

Armani Watts celebrates the game-winning interception in double overtime against Tennessee.

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com Texas A&M’s collapse last season to a third straight 8-5 finish brought added frustration to Armani Watts. The junior free safety was having a great season, averaging seven tackles and a handful of big plays per game, until he suffered a seasonending torn hamstring against Ole Miss.

Instead of putting the finishing touches on an all-conference season and possibly declaring early for the NFL Draft, he watched the Aggies lose three of the last four games.

“I think it had the potential to [be a special season] but we’ll never know now,” Watts said. “It didn’t finish out as planned.”

Watts is back, intent on helping to write a different ending this year. He said he has gotten stronger — “I’ve been able to lift more than I have since I’ve been here” — and spent the summer hovering between 200 and 205 pounds.

“I want to be one of the top safeties, if not the top safety in the country,” Watts said. “And I want to help my team win a championship. I’m taking care of my body and staying in the film room, doing the little things right. Every day, I’m coming in early, staying late, doing whatever I need to be

the best.”

A&M coach Kevin Sumlin figured Watts was going to be special when he signed him out of North Forney High School. He noted at SEC Media Days that Watts “has played every snap since he’s been here, except when he’s been hurt.”

As a true freshman in 2014, Watts had a strong debut in the first game of the year, intercepting a pass and breaking up two more at South Carolina.

He had a team-high three interceptions that year, along with 38 solo tackles.

Watts started to earn national acclaim his sophomore season with a team-leading 126 tackles, the first Aggie defensive back with 100 tackles since 2003.

Last year, Watts had a stirring start with seven tackles in the opener against UCLA, including an 11-yard sack. He caused and recovered a fumble against Arkansas during three stops in a critical first-and-goal situation. And he made the gameending interception in a 45-38 double-overtime victory over Tennessee.

“It was an amazing feeling,” said Watts, who also caused and recovered a fumble in the Tennessee game. “It goes back to preparation and practice, seeing the play before, so I was able to capitalize.”

While Watts was out after his injury, he got a

taste of helping his teammates from the sidelines.

That has continued with him guiding the younger players in the spring and summer.

“I tried to be a coach out there, letting them know what I saw on the sidelines,” Watts said. “This year, I’m a senior, I’m a more vocal leader. I’ve got a lot of younger guys underneath me, watching what I do. I’ve got to set the right example for them.”

Sumlin praised Watts’ leadership, helping to improve the attitudes and work habits of the players around him.

“Armani’s been through it,” Sumlin said. “And to sit openly and talk about it … here’s what we’re doing in the weight room, here’s what we’re doing in the recovery, here’s what we’re doing in nutrition, here’s what we’re doing from a toughness and physical standpoint in practice. Instead of trying to point fingers and do this and that, we’re not doing that.”

Watts said preparation is paramount in reaching and getting through the finish line.

“It’s a tough conference, but there’s no excuse for you not to go out there and compete at your highest level,” he said. “So that’s what we have to work on this year, is finishing, finishing throughout the season.”

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WHO WILL STEP UP FOR AGGIE DEFENSE? Experienced secondary, interior line among bright spots As a sophomore, defensive lineman Kingsley Keke recorded 37 tackles, four sacks and seven tackles for loss.

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com Texas A&M struggled mightily on defense last season, but it had some great players.

Defensive end Myles Garrett was the NFL’s top overall pick, a program first. Defensive back Justin Evans was taken in the second round and defensive end Daeshon Hall was picked in the third. It was the first time A&M’s defense had a trio taken in the first three rounds since 2003.

A&M envisioned a return to the Wrecking Crew level of defense when John Chavis was hired as coordinator. The unit improved in Chavis’ first season, but slipped last year in three of the four major categories — total defense, scoring defense and pass defense efficiency.

Injuries hampered the team, which coincided with losing five of the last seven games. Overlooked in the frustration was the individual improvement by Evans, Garrett, Hall and linebacker Shaan Washington, who capped his career with a team-high 104 tackles.

Those players flourished under Chavis. A&M’s defense figures to be better this season just because of the familiarity of Chavis’ system.

“We should know the insides and outsides of it,” said senior safety Armani Watts. “You should know where to fill your gaps and where you should be before

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the play starts.”

That wasn’t always the case last season. Injuries at linebacker and the secondary forced A&M to play several freshmen.

“We had a situation where we were putting pressure on some younger guys and gave up some big plays,” coach Kevin Sumlin said.

More experience, talent and depth should help A&M cut down on mistakes. A&M returns 13 defenders who have started at least a game, but the Aggies still will be young in many areas.

A&M expects the most improvement where it’s most needed — the point of attack. The run defense last season allowed 191.8 yards per game, which ranked 80th in the country.

A&M will be two-deep in the interior line with experience. Senior Zaycoven Henderson and juniors Daylon Mack and Kingsley Keke combined for 19½ tackles for losses last season.

Soft linebacker play is the main reason the Aggies have allowed 224.4 rushing yards per game the past three seasons. A&M will have talent and by far its most depth. Junior Otaro Alaka has 20 career starts. Sophomore Tyrel Dodson played in every game last season, making 27 tackles. Sophomore Justin Dunning returns after missing last year with an injury. Highly touted Anthony Hines III and Santino Marchiol were among nine freshmen who took part in spring drills.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Eagle file photo Outside pressure has been a staple in a Chavis defense. It was supplied last season by Garrett and Hall, but this year it will have to be a group effort, led by seniors Qualen Cunningham and Jarrett Johnson.

A&M also is high on junior college All-American Michael Clemons (6-5, 240) and true freshman Tyree Johnson (6-4, 247).

“You don’t ever replace a player like Myles Garrett,” Sumlin said. “But by committee, and by who we are, and maybe with Michael being the type of talent that he is, he can generate some things early that can give us the pass rush.”

The secondary will be the unit’s strength. Seniors Priest Willis, Donovan Wilson and Watts have combined for 51 starts. Sophomores Charles Oliver, Clifford Chattman, Larry Pryor and Roney Elam all were baptized by fire last season when starters missed significant time with injuries.

Watts, the unit’s veteran with 30 starts, can’t wait for the season opener. He’s seen improvements with the new players, the addition of strength and conditioning coach Mark Hocke and the way the defense has settled in under Chavis.

“The way I’ve seen us work this offseason [excites me], especially this summer,” Watts said. “The competition on the team, and then we’re having fun out there doing it. We know what we’re capable of, and we can’t wait to prove what we can do on the field.”

Nick Chubb Georgia

Austin Allen Arkansas

Antonio Callaway Florida

Arden Key LSU

Deebo Samuel South Carolina

Jalen Hurts Alabama

Aeris Williams Mississippi State

TEAM PREVIEWS

Christian Kirk Texas A&M

Robert Cessna and Travis L. Brown tackle the conference with schedules, key players and coach quotes • P. 17-37

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ALABAMA (2016 RECORD: 14-1)

Nick Saban (210-61; 119-19 in 10 seasons at Alabama) • Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

SEASON OUTLOOK

TIDE KEEPS ON ROLLING WITH STRONG DEFENSE

QB Hurts to build on big freshman season

Alabama just has different standards. The Crimson Tide lost one game last season, winning a third straight Southeastern Conference title. Alabama returns all-conference quarterback Jalen Hurts and its usual plethora of talented players who have the Crimson Tide again picked to win the league and be a contender for the national title.

Yet all head coach Nick Saban sees is the work that needs to be done.

“I don’t think we’re an elite team yet, probably average, and we don’t want to settle on that,” said Saban on the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference.

There’s nothing average about Hurts, who threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns, adding 954 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

The sophomore is complemented by junior receiver Calvin Ridley (72 receptions, 769 yards, 7 touchdowns), and running backs Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris, who combined for 1,849 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The biggest offensive change is

JALEN HURTS AP photo

KEY PLAYERS LB Rashaan Evans (53 tackles, 6 QBPs, 4 sacks), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (66 tackles, 7 PBU, 6 INTs), DE Da’Shawn Hand (21 tackles, 5 QBPs), RB Damien Harris (1,037 yards, 7.1 avg), S Ronnie Harrison (86 tackles, 7 PBU), QB Jalen Hurts (240of-382, 2,780 yards, 23 TDs, 9 INTs), NT Da’Ron Payne (36 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 QBPs), WR Calvin Ridley (72 receptions, 769 yards, 7 TDs), RB Bo Scarbrough (812 yards, 6.5 avg, 11 TDs)

“

SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. Florida State Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta 9/9 vs. Fresno State Bryant-Denny Stadium 9/16 vs. Colorado State Bryant-Denny Stadium 9/23 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 9/30 vs. Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/7 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 10/14 vs. Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/21 vs. Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/4 vs. LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/11 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium 11/18 vs. Mercer Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/25 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

coordinator Brian Daboll, who replaces Lane Kiffin. Daboll, who was a coordinator for three NFL teams, will be expected to improve a solid unit

QUOTABLE

that averaged 455.3 yards and 38.8 points per game.

Everyone expects Alabama to be stout on defense, but it has to replace five starters in the front seven.

The good news for Alabama is six starters return from a unit that was first in the nation in scoring defense (13.0 points per game) and rushing defense (63.9 yards per game) and second in total yards allowed (261.8 yards per game).

Leading the way is junior Minkah Fitzpatrick, one of the nation’s top defensive backs.

Saban, despite his less-thanglowing review, said the team came out of spring drills much like the ones before it.

“It’s how the team responds through the summer and fall camp, because we’re going to play an elite team [Florida State] in the first game,” he said. “What kind of commitment each guy makes to being an elite player, affecting himself in a positive way, and affecting his unit in a positive way, is going to determine how we all affect our team in a positive way, which ultimately will lead to what kind of team we really have.”

HALL OF FAME

We’ve got a lot of development to do over the summer and fall camp. We’ve got some challenges this year, including a tough opening game against a very good Florida State team.

Nick Saban, head coach

QB Bart Starr’s standout season with the Crimson Tide was his sophomore year in 1953, when he threw for 870 yards and eight touchdowns.

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ARKANSAS (2016 RECORD: 7-6)

Bret Bielema (93-50; 25-26 in four seasons at Arkansas) • Stadium: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

RAZORBACKS AIM FOR BREAKTHROUGH YEAR

Bielema says Arkansas program is ‘healthy’ Arkansas coach Bret Bielema believes he’s been a winner for the Razorbacks, though he’s only 25-26 in four seasons. That includes a 10-22 record in the Southeastern Conference, the worst of any West team during that time.

“I understand why people would think [I’m under pressure], but I think our program is in a place where we’re extremely healthy,” Bielema told seccountry.com at the SEC spring meetings. “In academics, we’re as high as we’ve ever been. Socially, we don’t have a lot of problems. I’m not saying we’re all sitting around the camp fire singing Kumbaya every night together, but our guys aren’t behaving poorly away from the game. So the element we have to raise is just our athletic performance.”

It hasn’t been easy for Bielema, who was 68-24 in seven seasons at Wisconsin. Bielema had strong finishes in 2014 and 2015, but the Razorbacks stumbled last season with ugly losses to Missouri and Virginia Tech.

Defense was supposed to be a strength last season with 10 starters

AUSTIN ALLEN AP photo

KEY PLAYERS

8/31 vs. Florida A&M War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock 9/9 vs. TCU Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 9/23 vs. Texas A&M AT&T Stadium, Arlington 9/30 vs. New Mexico State Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 10/7 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 10/14 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/21 vs. Auburn Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 10/28 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/4 vs. Coastal Carolina Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 11/11 at LSU Tiger Stadium 11/18 vs. Mississippi State Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 11/24 vs. Missouri Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

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DE McTelvin Agim (27 tackles, 5.5 TFL), QB Austin Allen (245-of-401, 3,430 yards, 25 TDs, 15 INTs), WR Jared Cornelius (32 receptions, 515 yards, 4 TDs), LB Dre Greenlaw (42 tackles, 2 FR), DB Josh Liddell (63 tackles, 4 PBU), CB Ryan Pulley (47 tackles, 13 PBU), C Frank Ragnow (26 career starts), LB Randy Ramsey (23 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 4 QBPs), OT Brian Wallace (10 career starts), RB Devwah Whaley (602 yards, 5.5 avg, 3 TDs)

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SCHEDULE

returning, but Arkansas gave up 56 points to Auburn and 49 to Alabama.

Bielema fired defensive coordinator Robb Smith and line coach Rory Segrest, promoting defensive backs coach and former Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads to defensive coordinator, and adding John Scott Jr. to coach the line.

Arkansas switched from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 in the spring.

“In the pressure game, we’ve been able to establish it by bringing any of the four linebackers or from the back end,” Bielema said on the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference.

Arkansas had 25 sacks last season – only four SEC teams had fewer. Arkansas also allowed 39 rushing touchdowns, the most in the country. And the Razorbacks in eight conference games allowed 257.6 yards rushing per game.

The offense does return senior quarterback Austin Allen, who threw for 3,430 yards and 25 touchdowns, along with four linemen. But junior running back Rawleigh Williams III, who rushed for 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns, had to retire after suffering a neck injury in the spring.

HALL OF FAME

I knew I had a coordinator-inwaiting. I knew if I had a transition on the defensive side of the ball, I had a guy I could promote immediately.

Bret Bielema on promoting Paul Rhoads to coordinator

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

RB Darren McFadden finished his career with 4,590 rushing yards, second in SEC history. He was a two-time All-American and a two-time recipient of the Doak Walker Award.

AUBURN (2016 RECORD: 8-5)

Gus Malzahn (44-21; 35-18 in four seasons at Auburn) • Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

SEASON OUTLOOK

TIGERS SHAKE UP OFFENSE AFTER PASSING WOES

Running game should help Auburn’s fortunes Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, considered an offensive guru, went on the offensive in the offseason after the Tigers averaged only 169.5 passing yards per game to rank 112th in the nation. He hired Arizona State offensive coordinator Chip Lindsay and landed former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

Lindsay was an offensive analyst for Auburn in 2013 when it reached the national championship game. He then had success as a coordinator for three seasons at Southern Mississippi and Arizona State, with those teams averaging 314.7 passing yards per game.

“He was with me in 2013, I trust him,” said Malzahn on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “I know a lot about him. Our philosophies are very similar, and he is a very good quarterback developer.”

Stidham completed 26 of 30 passes in the spring game, showing no rust after sitting out a season.

KAMRYN PETTWAY AP photo

KEY PLAYERS DE Marlon Davidson (38 tackles, 6 TFL, 6 QBPs), LB Deshaun Davis (63 tackles, 7 TFL, 5 QBPs), RB Kerryon Johnson (919 yards, 4.9 avg, 11 TDs), S Tray Matthews (76 tackles, 3 PBU), RB Kamryn Pettway (1,224 yards, 5.9 avg, 7 TDs), S Stephen Roberts (57 tackles), OG Braden Smith (27 career starts), QB Jarrett Stidham (75-of-109, 1,265 yards, 12 TDs in 2015), QB Sean White (133-of-208, 1,679 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs), LB Tre’ Williams (67 tackles, 4 QBPs, 3.5 TFL)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. Georgia Southern Jordan-Hare Stadium 9/9 at Clemson Memorial Stadium 9/16 vs. Mercer Jordan-Hare Stadium 9/23 at Missouri Faurot Field 9/30 vs. Mississippi State Jordan-Hare Stadium 10/7 vs. Ole Miss Jordan-Hare Stadium 10/14 at LSU Tiger Stadium 10/21 at Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 11/4 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 11/11 vs. Georgia Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/18 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/25 vs. Alabama Jordan-Hare Stadium

The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Stidham as a freshman at Baylor threw for 1,265 yards with 12 touchdowns in 2015, completing 69 percent of his

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passes before injuries ended his season. If Stidham should falter, the Tigers return starter Sean White, who threw for 1,679 yards.

The quarterbacks are supported by one of the nation’s best running back tandems in juniors Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, who combined for 2,119 yards rushing last season. The Tigers averaged 271.3 rushing yards per game to lead the SEC and rank sixth in the country.

Malzahn called the plays in his first four seasons as a collegiate head coach before relinquishing that last year to Rhett Lashlee, who is now at Connecticut. Auburn rushed the ball 645 times last season, throwing it only 289 times. Auburn completed 61.6 percent of its passes, fourth best in the SEC. But it had only 12 touchdown passes, second lowest in the league.

Defensively, Auburn lost its two best players in end Carl Lawson and tackle Montravious Adams, but six of the top seven tacklers return in a unit that nationally was seventh in scoring (17.1 points per game) and 28th in total defense (361.9 yards per game).

HALL OF FAME

Outside [actions] we can’t control, but I will tell you this — internally, there’s a lot of excitement. And really, that’s what matters. I know our offensive players are excited, our quarterbacks are, and I am, too. I’m really looking forward to this year.

Gus Malzahn, head coach

RB Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 after rushing for 1,786 yards. He also played baseball, and is second in Auburn history in career slugging percentage (.715).

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LSU (2016 RECORD: 8-4)

Ed Orgeron (22-29; 8-6 in one season at LSU) • Stadium: Tiger Stadium (102,321)

SEASON OUTLOOK

OFFENSE TRENDING UP WITH ORGERON AT HELM

Derrius Guice steps right in for Fournette Ed Orgeron gave LSU a spark for eight games, but can he do it for a season?

LSU’s offense perked up last year in Orgeron’s stint as interim head coach, helping the Louisiana native get his dream job full-time.

Longtime head coach Les Miles was fired after a 2-2 start in which the offense averaged only 333.9 yards per game, 147.8 of it through the air.

The Tigers were explosive under Orgeron, even though AllAmerica running back Leonard Fournette missed half the games.

LSU averaged 464.9 yards per game under Orgeron, including 211.3 of it through the air, with six 200-yard passing games after having only one in the first four.

In the offseason, Orgeron hired Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada. He also kept defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who became the highest-paid assistant in the game at $1.8 million per year.

Orgeron had all the quarterbacks

DERRIUS GUICE AP photo

KEY PLAYERS LB Donnie Alexander (45 tackles), WR D.J. Chark (26 receptions, 466 yards, 3 TDs), C William Clapp (23 career starts), QB Danny Etling (160-of-269, 2,123 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs), RB Derrius Guice (1,387 yards, 7.6 avg, 15 TDs), CB Donte Jackson (39 tackles, 8 PBU, 2 INTs), DE Arden Key (56 tackles, 12 sacks, 11 QBPs), DE Christian LaCouture (35 tackles in 2015), CB Kevin Toliver (21 tackles), OT Toby Weathersby (4 career starts)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. BYU NRG Stadium, Houston 9/9 vs. Chattanooga Tiger Stadium 9/16 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium 9/23 vs. Syracuse Tiger Stadium 9/30 vs. Troy Tiger Stadium 10/7 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/14 vs. Auburn Tiger Stadium 10/21 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/4 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/11 vs. Arkansas Tiger Stadium 11/18 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium 11/25 vs. Texas A&M Tiger Stadium

split time in spring drills, but senior Danny Etling, who started the final 10 games last season, was clearly the best.

“Danny’s a guy that can go into

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the game, manage the game, make the short throws, make the checks, be a leader out there [and] have great pocket awareness,” Orgeron said. “... I think when he’s healthy, he’s going to be hard to beat.”

Etling was impressive in his final two games last season, completing 20 of 28 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns in a 54-39 victory at Texas A&M. He followed that with 217 yards passing and two touchdowns in a 29-9 Citrus Bowl victory over Louisville.

Orgeron expects Etling to be even better under Canada. Pitt averaged 40.9 points per game, but not at the expense of its running attack, as the Panthers rushed for 225.1 yards per game to rank 28th in the country.

Even without Fournette, LSU expects to have a stout running attack led by junior Derrius Guice, who had 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns, including a school-record 285 yards and four touchdowns against A&M. LSU was salty in Aranda’s first season, finishing 10th in total defense, allowing 20 or more points only three times.

HALL OF FAME

I think our guys are excited that I am the coach. I’m excited to be their coach. We have full support from the administration. We have full support from the state of Louisiana. Things are very good in Baton Rouge right now.

Ed Orgeron, head coach

RB Billy Cannon took home the 1959 Heisman Trophy after gaining 598 yards rushing and 161 yards receiving. He was also a two-time SEC player of the year.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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MISSISSIPPI STATE (2016 RECORD: 6-7)

Dan Mullen (61-42 in eight seasons at Mississippi State) • Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium (55,082)

SEASON OUTLOOK

QB PLAY HAS BULLDOGS THINKING POSITIVE

Fitzgerald impressed in freshman season

Mississippi State went to a seventh straight bowl last season because it was smart, getting an exemption with a 5-7 record because of its Academic Progress Rate score.

The Bulldogs expect to be in another bowl this season the old-fashioned way, by winning enough on the field.

Optimism is high because Mississippi State won four of its last six games. Freshman quarterback Nick Fitzgerald led an offense that averaged 34.7 points during that span, despite a 51-3 loss at Alabama.

Fitzgerald’s best all-around game came in a 35-28 victory over Texas A&M. He rushed for 182 yards and two scores along with 209 yards passing with two scores. He also rushed for 258 yards in a 55-20 victory over rival Ole Miss.

“This is a huge summer for Nick Fitzgerald,” said Mullen on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “He made great strides from between the season and spring, [but now] he has to take a huge step forward before we get into training camp, and he’s got to do that on his own.”

NICK FITZGERALD AP photo

KEY PLAYERS DE Fletcher Adams (16 tackles), S Brandon Bryant (62 tackles), QB Nick Fitzgerald (196-of-361, 2,423 yards, 21 TDs, 10 INTs, 1,375 yards rushing, 16 TDs), WR Donald Gray (41 receptions, 709 yards, 5 TDs), S J.T. Gray (71 tackles, 8 TFL), S Mark McLaurin (51 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 FR), LB Leo Lewis (79 tackles, 4.5 TFL), OT Martinas Rankin (10 starts), RB Aeris Williams (720 yards, 5.3 avg, 4 TDs), DT Jeffery Simmons (40 tackles, 4 QBPs)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. Charleston Southern Davis Wade Stadium 9/9 at Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium 9/16 vs. LSU Davis Wade Stadium 9/23 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 9/30 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 10/14 vs. BYU Davis Wade Stadium 10/21 vs. Kentucky Davis Wade Stadium 10/28 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 11/4 vs. UMass Davis Wade Stadium 11/11 vs. Alabama Davis Wade Stadium 11/18 at Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 11/23 vs. Ole Miss Davis Wade Stadium

Fitzgerald is complemented by running back Aeris Williams, who rushed for 191 yards against Ole Miss. Receiver Donald Gray was

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overshadowed by Fred Ross, but averaged almost 5 yards more per catch at 17.3 with five touchdowns.

MSU has three new starters on the offensive line, so Fitzgerald might have to rely more on his legs.

He rushed for 1,375 yards with 16 touchdowns last year.

The offense could have to carry the majority of the load, especially early. Todd Grantham, former defensive coordinator at Louisville and Georgia, is the program’s fourth coordinator in four years. He takes over a unit that was 110th in total defense last season, allowing 459.1 yards per game.

“It was great to get somebody of his level to come to Mississippi State and run our defense,” Mullen said at SEC Media Days.

MSU also was awful on special teams, netting only 35.6 yards per punt to rank 103rd. It also missed eight field goals, including three under 30 yards. “[The kicking game] is not in a position we’re comfortable in right now, but we still have a ways to go until our first game to get comfortable,” said Mullen after the spring game.

HALL OF FAME

We’re trying to grow some depth.

We have a young football team, we have only 12 seniors on the roster. So we really got a young outfit, a lot of opportunities for guys to get on the field and go play.

Dan Mullen, head coach

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

QB Dak Prescott is third in SEC history in total yards with 11,897, and 16th in passing touchdowns.

OLE MISS (2016 RECORD: 5-7)

Matt Luke (0-0, first season at Ole Miss) • Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580)

SEASON OUTLOOK

REBELS AIM TO IMPROVE AMID NCAA TROUBLES QB Shea Patterson’s debut a bright spot Hugh Freeze made big news in four seasons for what Ole Miss was doing on the field. The off-the-field noise from NCAA allegations grew louder each year, however. And then in July came Freeze’s sudden resignation, in a controversy that Ole Miss defined as a “pattern of personal misconduct.”

Matt Luke, who played for Ole Miss and was the team’s cooffensive coordinator, takes over as interim coach.

The Rebels are under a selfimposed bowl ban this season as they face 21 NCAA allegations. Ole Miss already had self-imposed the loss of 11 total scholarships from 2015 to 2018.

And Ole Miss struggled in 2016, dropping five of its last seven games.

Freeze’s sudden departure so close to the season opener could potentially turn the Rebels’ 2017 season upside down. In his introductory press conference, Luke tried to keep the spotlight on the players.

“I’m so excited about our players,” he said. “They’ve

SHEA PATTERSON AP photo

KEY PLAYERS LB DeMarquis Gates (79 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 QBPs), S Myles Hartsfield (43 tackles), WR Van Jefferson (49 receptions, 543 yards, 3 TDs), DT Beneto Jones (39 tackles, 4 QBPs), CB Jaylon Jones (26 tackles, 5 PBU), DE Marquis Haynes (53 tackles, 7 sacks, 8 QBPs), OT Greg Little (5 career starts), OG Javon Patterson (18 career starts), QB Shea Patterson (72-of132, 880 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs), OG Jordan Sims (15 career starts)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. South Alabama Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 9/9 vs. Tennessee-Martin Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 9/16 at Cal California Memorial Stadium 9/30 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/7 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 10/14 vs. Vanderbilt Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 10/21 vs. LSU Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 10/28 vs. Arkansas Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/4 at Kentucky Kroger Field 11/11 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/18 vs. Texas A&M Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/23 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

been through so much adversity. …

They just want to go out and play the game that they love. They want to go out and represent Ole Miss and win football games. It’s my job to make

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sure the focus stays on the players.

My staff and I will do everything in our power to give these young men the opportunity to be successful on and off the field. Those young men deserve that.”

Wesley McGriff left his codefensive coordinator job at Auburn in December to return to Ole Miss, where he coached in 2012. He’ll serve as coordinator and associate head coach. “His passion and his energy is contagious,” Luke said. “He’s a proven leader of young men.”

On offense, quarterback Shea Patterson made a big impression with his debut game against Texas A&M, leading an upset win. The sophomore has four returning offensive linemen and several tall, athletic receivers as they adapt to new coordinator Phil Longo, brought in from Sam Houston State.

“Phil Longo running the offense, he’s one of the brightest minds in college football,” Luke said. “I got a chance to work with him in the spring, side by side. His talent, it was evident. And to see him work with all the pieces we have on offense is going to be a lot of fun.”

HALL OF FAME

I can truly tell y’all today that this is my dream job. It’s a job that I’ve been preparing my whole life for. I feel more strongly now than ever that I’m the right man to run this program.

Matt Luke, interim head coach

QB Eli Manning accumulated 10,119 passing yards and 81 touchdowns in four years and was named the 2003 SEC player of the year.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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TEXAS A&M (2016 RECORD: 8-5)

Kevin Sumlin (79-38; 44-21 in five seasons at Texas A&M) • Stadium: Kyle Field (102,733)

SEASON OUTLOOK

AGGIES SEARCH FOR WAYS TO FINISH SEASON STRONG

Late collapses have Sumlin on shaky ground It’s fourth down and time to convert for Kevin Sumlin and the Texas A&M football program after three straight disappointing finishes.

A&M was 8-5 last season, losing five of its last seven after starting 6-0 and being ranked No. 6. It was tough to take, because the Aggies had started the previous two seasons 5-0 and ranked in the top 10, only to finish 8-5 each time and be unranked.

Sumlin fired coordinators the first two times, bringing in John Chavis for Mark Snyder on defense after the 2014 season and hiring Noel Mazzone to replace Jake Spavital on offense after the 2015 season.

This time, he changed strength and conditioning coaches, Mark Hocke for Larry Jackson.

“Mark Hocke has done a fabulous job,” said Sumlin on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ spring teleconference. “We went out and searched the country and really looked for a guy who could impact us. He’s been at Alabama, he’s been the head guy at Georgia and [been at] Florida State, so he knows what it looks like.”

A&M won’t have a truly

TRAYVEON WILLIAMS AP photo

KEY PLAYERS LB Otaro Alaka (74 tackles, 9 TFL), RB Keith Ford (669 yards, 5.3 avg, 6 TDs), DE Jarrett Johnson (19 tackles, 4.5 sacks), WR Christian Kirk (83 receptions, 928 yards, 9 TDs, 3 punt return TDs), OT Koda Martin (4 starts), RB Trayveon Williams (1,057 yards, 6.8 avg, 8 TDs), DT Kingsley Keke (37 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 TFL), S Armani Watts (56 tackles, 6 TFL), S Donovan Wilson (59 tackles, 5.5 TFL)

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SCHEDULE 9/3 at UCLA Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

9/9 vs. Nicholls State Kyle Field 9/16 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Kyle Field 9/23 vs. Arkansas AT&T Stadium, Arlington 9/30 vs. South Carolina Kyle Field 10/7 vs. Alabama Kyle Field 10/14 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/28 vs. Mississippi State Kyle Field 11/4 vs. Auburn Kyle Field 11/11 vs. New Mexico State Kyle Field 11/18 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/25 at LSU Tiger Stadium

experienced quarterback, with senior Jake Hubenak — who has played in parts of the previous two seasons — redshirt freshman Nick Starkel and

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true freshman Kellen Mond.

Offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and tackle Avery Gennesy are now in the NFL, but four linemen return with starting experience.

“From an experience point, we’re way ahead of where we were last year,” Sumlin said.

Junior Christian Kirk is the lone receiver with experience, but he’s an all-conference player and projected as a first-round draft pick. A&M has a 1,000-yard rusher returning in sophomore Trayveon Williams, and there’s no drop-off with backup Keith Ford.

The defense loses No. 1 overall draft pick Myles Garrett and fellow end Daeshon Hall, but the depth in the front seven might be better. The secondary will be a strength if the Aggies can stay healthy.

“I think it really changed our defense at the end when Priest Willis and Nick Harvey got hurt and Armani Watts got hurt,” Sumlin said.

A&M ranked 90th in total defense (441.8 yards per game), 91st in passing (250 yards per game) and 80th in rushing (191.8 yards per game), hardly what anyone expected in Chavis’ second season.

HALL OF FAME

There’s no doubt we need to play better at the end of the season. We’re pretty good at the beginning, but we need to finish.

Kevin Sumlin, head coach

DE Jacob Green was a two-time All-American for the Aggies. He had 37 sacks — which ranks second in program history — including 20 in 1979. He caused a record 12 fumbles as well.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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FLORIDA (2016 RECORD: 9-4)

Jim McElwain (41-24; 19-8 in two seasons at Florida) • Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)

SEASON OUTLOOK

GATORS SEEK PROGRESS FROM OFFENSIVE LINE

Florida gets early test with Michigan game Everyone wants to talk about Florida’s quarterback, and rightfully so.

The Gators have started multiple players at the position every season since Tim Tebow left, and could again with the addition of Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire.

But what could help give thirdyear head coach Jim McElwain a third straight Southeastern Conference East Division is a vastly improved offensive line.

Florida is led by sophomores Jawaan Taylor and Martez Ivey, who started as true freshmen.

Sophomores Tyler Jordan and Fred Johnson also return, having started at multiple spots.

Junior Antonio Riles, who started six games as a sophomore but missed last season with an injury, also returns.

“I’m really excited about this group,” said McElwain after spring drills. “This is probably, well, this is the best we’ve been since I’ve been here at that position.”

Florida allowed 46 sacks in 2015 — worst in the nation — in McElwain’s first season. The Gators

ANTONIO CALLAWAY AP photo

KEY PLAYERS WR Antonio Callaway (54 receptions, 721 yards, 3 TDs), CB Duke Dawson (24 tackles, 7 PBU), QB Luke Del Rio (114-of-201, 1,358 yards, 8 TDs, 8 INTs), S Marcell Harris (73 tackles, 2 INTs), OT Martez Ivey (12 starts), DE CeCe Jefferson (30 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5 QBPs), PK Eddy Pineiro (21-of-25 FGs), RB Jordan Scarlett (889 yards, 5.0 avg, 6 TDs), P Johnny Townsend (47.9 avg), DE Jabari Zuniga (25 tackles, 11 QBPs, 8.5 TFL)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. Michigan AT&T Stadium, Arlington 9/9 vs. Northern Colorado Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 9/16 vs. Tennessee Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 9/23 at Kentucky Kroger Field 9/30 vs. Vanderbilt Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/7 vs. LSU Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/14 vs. Texas A&M Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/28 vs. Georgia EverBanks Field, Jacksonville, Fla. 11/04 at Missouri Faurot Field 11/11 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 11/18 vs. UAB Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 11/25 vs. Florida State Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

cut that to 28 last season, but Florida struggled on the ground, rushing for

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an SEC-worst 1,667 yards. Better offensive line play will help the winner of the quarterback derby.

Feleipe Franks had a solid spring, putting himself ahead of fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Trask.

Junior Luke Del Rio wasn’t available while he recovered from shoulder surgery. Del Rio had six starts last season, one fewer than Austin Appleby, who was a graduate transfer from Purdue.

Zaire would be a dual threat with 324 career rushing yards and two touchdowns. He has thrown for 816 yards in his career, never attempting more than 40 passes in a season, but completed 59.2 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Wide receiver Antonio Callaway is capable of making any quarterback play better, as shown by his fourth-down, 63-yard miracle catch to beat Tennessee in 2015. But he’s suspended for the opener, along with six other players.

That could prove costly since Florida plays Michigan in Arlington in the Advocare Classic.

HALL OF FAME

The momentum we have taken just from our bowl game moving forward, how they came to [spring] practice and how they came back from spring break, and just their commitment has been fun to see.”

Jim McElwain, head coach

RB Emmitt Smith rushed for 1,599 yards in 1989 to earn SEC player of the year honors, and finished seventh in Heisman voting.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

GEORGIA (2016 RECORD: 8-5)

Kirby Smart (8-5 in one season at Georgia) • Stadium: Sanford Stadium (92,746)

SEASON OUTLOOK

SMART: INTENSITY IS KEY TO OFFENSE’S GROWTH

Georgia can rely on stout running game

Things can only go up for Georgia’s Kirby Smart.

The former Alabama defensive coordinator didn’t make a big splash in his first season, going 8-5. Mark Richt, who was fired because he didn’t win enough, won at least that many games in 14 of his 15 seasons.

Georgia statistically had a good defense, allowing 327.5 yards per game to rank fourth in the Southeastern Conference behind Alabama, Florida and LSU. But the Bulldogs gave up at least 28 points in losses to Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Tennessee. The defense has a chance to be better with 10 returning starters and 14 of its 15 top tacklers.

Offensively, the Bulldogs averaged only 384.7 yards, 87th in the nation. So it was back to basics during Smart’s second spring training.

“The expectation of the intensity in practice was the biggest adjustment since my arrival,” Smart said on

JACOB EASON AP photo

KEY PLAYERS LB Davin Bellamy (51 tackles, 17 QBPs, 5 sacks), LB Lorenzo Carter (44 tackles, 13 QBPs, 5 sacks), RB Nick Chubb (1,130 yards, 5.0 avg, 8 TDs), QB Jacob Eason (204-of-370, 2,430 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs), RB Sony Michel (840 yards, 5.5 avg, 4 TDs), LB Natrez Patrick (59 tackles, 7 QBPs, 4.5 TFL), S Dominick Sanders (34 tackles, 7 PBU, 3 INTs), LB Roquan Smith (95 tackles, 5 QBPs, 5 TFL), DT Trent Thompson (56 tackles, 7 QBPs, 5 sacks)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. Appalachian State Sanford Stadium 9/9 at Notre Dame Notre Dame Stadium 9/16 vs. Samford Sanford Stadium 9/23 vs. Mississippi State Sanford Stadium 9/30 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium 10/7 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 10/14 vs. Missouri Sanford Stadium 10/28 vs. Florida EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. 11/4 vs. South Carolina Sanford Stadium 11/11 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/18 vs. Kentucky Sanford Stadium 11/25 at Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium

the SEC coaches’ spring teleconference. “Every day, bringing that attention to detail and enthusiasm.

There’s never a chance to relax. We

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can talk about sustainable focus.

Can you sustain that focus through an entire practice?”

Smart said he felt they did it for 15 spring practices. Sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason made fewer mistakes than he did as a talented freshman who threw for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns. He should improve his efficiency ranking of 90th in the country. If he doesn’t, waiting in the wings is redshirt freshman Jake Fromm, Smart’s first big-time recruit.

No matter who is under center, he’ll be complemented by quality tailbacks in Nick Chubb (1,130 yards rushing, 8 touchdowns) and Sony Michel (840 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns) who both opted to return for their senior years.

“The biggest thing you saw from Nick Chubb, not only did you see he was much more healthy,” Smart said. “I saw him on special teams a lot more where he competed, he was able to run and play with more effort.

I think when you have a player of that caliber playing special teams, it sets a standard for the rest of the team, which is what we encourage.”

HALL OF FAME

Can we get bigger, stronger and faster? Can we outwork the teams we’re going to play from now until fall camp? We’re challenging those guys to go out there and take the leadership role, and let’s keep getting better and let’s keep moving forward.

Kirby Smart, head coach

RB Herschel Walker was a threetime SEC player of the year and All-American. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 when he rushed for 1,752 yards and 16 touchdowns.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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KENTUCKY (2016 RECORD: 7-6)

Mark Stoops (19-30 in four seasons at Kentucky) • Stadium: Kroger Field (61,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

NEXT STEP FOR WILDCATS: TWO BOWLS IN A ROW Good vibes in Lexington after 2016 success Kentucky believes it turned the corner last season. With 17 returning starters and a favorable schedule, the team is in position for back-toback bowl trips for only the sixth time in school history.

The Wildcats won four Southeastern Conference games last season, matching as many as it had won in the three previous seasons combined. They also beat rival Louisville for the first time since 2010, with quarterback Stephen Johnson getting the best of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner.

Senior Johnson returns with four starting offensive linemen. The defense features junior linebacker Jordan Jones and junior safety Mike Edwards, who were second-team all-conference picks by the Associated Press.

“Overall, I feel like there are a lot less questions for us than there have been in the past,” said coach Mark Stoops, who went 12-24 in his first three seasons.

Kentucky’s strengths

STEPHEN JOHNSON AP photo

KEY PLAYERS

start with the running game. The Wildcats averaged 234.2 yards per

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LB Josh Allen (62 tackles, 7 sacks, 8.5 TFL), S Mike Edwards (100 tackles, 3 INTs, 8 PBU), WR Garrett Johnson (39 receptions, 585 yards, 5 TDs), QB Stephen Johnson (145-of-265, 2,037 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs), LB Jordan Jones (109 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 9 QBPs), LB Courtney Love (76 tackles), OT Kyle Meadows (23 career starts), RB Benjamin Snell Jr. (1,091 yards, 5.9 avg, 13 TDs), DE Denzil Ware (70 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 QBPs)

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“

SCHEDULE 9/2 at Southern Miss Roberts Stadium 9/9 vs. Eastern Kentucky Kroger Field 9/16 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 9/23 vs. Florida Kroger Field 9/30 vs. Eastern Michigan Kroger Field 10/7 vs. Missouri Kroger Field 10/21 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium 10/28 vs. Tennessee Kroger Field 11/4 vs. Ole Miss Kroger Field 11/11 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 11/18 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 11/25 vs. Louisville Kroger Field

game last season to rank third in the SEC. Boom Williams declared for the NFL draft, but his backup, sophomore Benjamin Snell Jr., returns.

He rushed for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns.

As good as Kentucky was rushing last season — its 3,044 yard total was second in school history — it had trouble stopping the other teams’ runners, allowing 2,966 yards, the most in the SEC. That should improve with 10 defensive starters returning, led by Jones and Edwards, who combined for 209 tackles. Kentucky also returns its next two leading tacklers in senior linebacker Courtney Love (76) and junior end Denzil Ware (70).

“Our depth needs to continue to improve,” said first-year defensive coordinator Matt House.

Kentucky missed bowl eligibility in 2014, losing its last six games.

In 2015, the team was short again, losing six of the last seven. That changed last season, as the team bounced back from losing its first two games by winning five of six, including league victories over South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Missouri.

HALL OF FAME

We made some strides [in the spring].

We still have a ways to go in certain areas, but I like this team.

There’s certainly fewer question marks coming out of spring than in years past. So, I feel like there’s a lot to build on.

Mark Stoops, head coach

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

QB Babe Parilli was named the SEC player of the year in 1950. The twotime All-American finished fourth in Heisman voting.

MISSOURI (2016 RECORD: 4-8) Barry Odom (4-8 in one season at Missouri) • Stadium: Faurot Field (71,004)

SEASON OUTLOOK

TIGERS HAVE WORK TO DO AFTER TOUGH 2016 SEASON Defense struggled in Barry Odom’s first year Missouri promoted Barry Odom to replace Gary Pinkel in part because the former Tiger linebacker made an impressive return in 2015 as defensive coordinator.

Odom guided a unit that ranked sixth in the nation, allowing only 302 yards per game.

Defense, though, was a huge problem last season in Odom’s head coaching debut. Missouri allowed 479.7 yards per game to rank last in the Southeastern Conference and 118th in the country. The Tigers were equally awful, allowing 232.8 yards per game on the ground (112th) and 246.8 yards per game in the air (86th).

What’s frightening is the unit lost end Charles Harris, who had nine sacks and was a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, and linebacker Donavin Newsom, who had a teamleading 73 tackles. For spring drills, Missouri went to a 4-2-5 alignment, utilizing its secondary, which has more returning players and playmakers.

“The [defense] picked up where they left off at the end of last year, and they look so much better than they did last year at any point,” said

DREW LOCK AP photo

KEY PLAYERS LB Eric Beisel (44 tackles, 6 TFL), RB Damarea Crockett (1,062 yards, 6.9 avg, 10 TDs), DE Marcell Frazier (33 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 QBPs), LB Cale Garrett (47 tackles, 6 TFL), OT Tyler Howell (12 starts), QB Drew Lock (237-of-434, 3,399 yards, 23 TDs, 10 INTs), WR Dimetrios Mason (47 receptions, 587 yards, 3 TDs), WR J’Mon Moore (62 receptions, 1,012 yards, 8 TDs), S Anthony Sherrils (53 tackles), S Thomas Wilson (58 tackles)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 vs. Missouri State Faurot Field 9/9 vs. South Carolina Faurot Field 9/16 vs. Purdue Faurot Field 9/23 vs. Auburn Faurot Field 10/7 at Kentucky Kroger Field 10/14 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 10/21 vs. Idaho Faurot Field 10/28 at Connecticut Rentschler Field 11/4 vs. Florida Faurot Field 11/11 vs. Tennessee Faurot Field 11/18 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 11/24 at Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Odom on St. Louis’ radio station WXOS after spring drills. “I think that

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comes with experience.”

Experience is something Missouri has on offense, with 10 returning starters led by quarterback Drew Lock. He threw for 3,399 yards and 23 touchdowns last season with only 10 interceptions.

“You get a ton of confidence from being the older guy,” said Lock after the spring game. “You come out here, and you know you’re going to see things that you have seen before. It makes everything easier for you.”

Missouri also returns its top rusher in sophomore Damarea Crockett (1,062 yards, 10 touchdowns) and top receiver in J’Mon Moore (62 receptions, 1,012 yards, 8 touchdowns).

Lock, Crockett and Moore last season helped Missouri average an SEC-best 500.5 yards, good for 13th in the country, after being 124th the previous season.

“He’s got a tremendous skill set,” Odom said of Crockett at SEC Media Days. “He’s up to 230-ish pounds right now. ... If we’ll do everything we’re supposed to do offensively, he’s got a chance to be a real special player.”

HALL OF FAME

In year two of offensive coordinator Josh Heupel’s offense, [Drew Lock] understands the running of how that needs to be played at the quarterback position. His fundamentals have gotten so much better.

Barry Odom, head coach

TE Kellen Winslow gained 1,089 yards receiving in his four-year career with the Tigers, and was an All-American in 1978.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SOUTH CAROLINA (2016 RECORD: 4-8)

Will Muschamp (34-28; 6-7 in one season at South Carolina) • Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

SEASON OUTLOOK

OFFENSE MUST IMPROVE FOR GAMECOCKS TO WIN

QB Bentley gave team a late-season spark South Carolina’s defense performed well in Will Muschamp’s first season, which wasn’t unexpected. The former defensive coordinator has a passion for getting defenders to play well.

The offense was a different story. The Gamecocks averaged only 347.5 yards and 20.8 points per game, ranking last in the Southeastern Conference in both categories.

South Carolina returns 10 starters, but is that a good thing?

Four offensive linemen return, who helped allow an SEChigh 41 sacks.

Even with those numbers, South Carolina went to a bowl because quarterback Jake Bentley improved.

The sophomore helped the Gamecocks win four of five games in late October and early November.

Bentley made seven starts, throwing for 1,420 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

“To see him go through the

DEEBO SAMUEL AP photo

KEY PLAYERS

9/2 vs. North Carolina State Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. 9/9 at Missouri Faurot Field 9/16 vs. Kentucky Williams-Brice Stadium 9/23 vs. Louisiana Tech Williams-Brice Stadium 9/30 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 10/7 vs. Arkansas Williams-Brice Stadium 10/14 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium 10/28 vs. Vanderbilt Williams-Brice Stadium 11/4 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 11/11 vs. Florida Williams-Brice Stadium 11/18 vs. Wofford Williams-Brice Stadium 11/25 vs. Clemson Williams-Brice Stadium

offseason program, spring ball down to the summer, [he] really understands how to be a quar-

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QB Jake Bentley (125-of-190, 1,420 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs), RB Rico Dowdle (764 yards, 5.7 avg, 6 TDs), WR Bryan Edwards (44 receptions, 590 yards, 4 TDs), TE Hayden Hurst (48 receptions, 616 yards), CB Chris Lammons (53 tackles, 6 PBU, 3 INTs), LB Skai Moore (111 tackles, 4 INTs in 2015), WR Deebo Samuel (59 receptions, 783 yards), S D.J. Smith (80 tackles), DT Taylor Stallworth (41 tackles), LB Bryson Allen-Williams (75 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2 INTs)

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“

SCHEDULE

We have a lot of knowns coming out of the spring offensively. We have some unknowns defensively. We will have some new faces playing for us [on defense] in the fall that didn’t go through spring, that either need to start or supply depth on our football team.

Will Muschamp, head coach

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

terback,” Muschamp said at SEC Media Days.

Bentley will have a nice target in Deebo Samuel, who had 59 catches last year. Muschamp called Samuel a “very explosive player with the ball in his hands. ... We need to be able to get him a bunch of touches in every game.”

South Carolina should be better running the football with sophomores Rico Dowdle (764 yards, 6 touchdowns in nine games) and A.J. Turner (497 yards, 3 touchdowns).

Experience should help cut down on the 420 yards South Carolina gave away last season on 102 tackles for losses.

The defense lost arguably its top four players in the front seven, though it did get a boost with the return of linebacker Skai Moore, who missed last season with a neck injury. He was the team’s leading tackler in his first three seasons.

The Gamecocks need playmakers on that side after only 21 sacks, which ranked 92nd in the country.

HALL OF FAME

RB George Rogers won the 1980 Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,781 yards and 14 touchdowns.

TENNESSEE (2016 RECORD: 9-4)

Butch Jones (80-48; 30-21 in four seasons at Tennessee) • Stadium: Neyland Stadium (102,455)

SEASON OUTLOOK

VOLS AIM TO GET PHYSICAL AFTER DISAPPOINTING YEAR Jones shakes up staff after struggles in 2016 Tennessee’s 2016 season was half-empty or half-full, depending on your point of view.

Fans wanted more after a 5-0 start. But the Vols finished 9-4 for a second straight season, capped by a victory over Nebraska in the Music City Bowl, something coach Butch Jones won’t belittle.

“There’s only three teams in the SEC that have won nine games or more the last two seasons and Tennessee is one of those,” said Jones after spring drills.

The Vols, though, slipped a game in league play to 4-4, finishing in a three-way tie for second with Georgia and Kentucky. Tennessee, picked to win the East by the media, was thumped by Alabama, 49-10, and lost to Vanderbilt, 45-34.

The challenge for Jones, entering his fifth season, is to match or exceed last season despite having six players taken in the NFL draft.

“The word would be opportunity,” Jones said.

“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of players that maybe haven’t had the opportunity

JAUAN JENNINGS AP photo

KEY PLAYERS S Micah Abernathy (69 tackles, 6 PBU, 3 FR), QB Quinten Dormady (11-of17, 148 yards), S Rashaan Gaulden (68 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 PBU), WR Jauan Jennings (40 receptions, 580 yards, 7 TDs), RB John Kelly (630 yards, 6.4 avg, 5 TDs), S Todd Kelly Jr. (71 tackles, 4 PBU, 2 INTs), LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. (45 tackles, 5 TFL), DE Jonathan Kongbo (11 tackles, 7 QBPs, 3 TFL), C Jashon Robertson (34 career starts), TE Ethan Wolf (21 receptions, 239 yards, 2 TDs)

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SCHEDULE 9/4 vs. Georgia Tech Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta 9/9 vs. Indiana State Neyland Stadium 9/16 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 9/23 vs. UMass Neyland Stadium 9/30 vs. Georgia Neyland Stadium 10/14 vs. South Carolina Neyland Stadium 10/21 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/28 at Kentucky Kroger Field 11/4 vs. Southern Miss Neyland Stadium 11/11 at Missouri Faurot Field 11/18 vs. LSU Neyland Stadium 11/25 vs. Vanderbilt Neyland Stadium

in the past.”

Topping that list are junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, competing to

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replace quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who started 35 games in his career.

They can throw to Jauan Jennings, who had a 40-catch sophomore year.

Jones isn’t just counting on new players. He overhauled his staff, adding five new assistants, including former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke as defensive line coach.

Tight ends coach Larry Scott was promoted to offensive coordinator.

Jones also fired his strength and conditioning coach. The Vols lost starters each week during a threegame losing streak, playing without four in the 45-38 double-overtime loss at Texas A&M. The unit that could benefit most from new strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson — who spent 16 years in the NFL — is the defense. Kentucky rushed for 443 yards against the Vols, and Missouri (442), Alabama (409) and A&M (353) also ran wild.

“We still have to get stronger and more physical,” Jones said. “We need to start taking the ball away a little more defensively, and get ball disruptions, whether it’s tipped balls or anything.”

HALL OF FAME

I think our program has a lot of momentum. The SEC is the most competitive conference in all of football, from top to bottom. We started from ground zero in building this program in the toughest football conference in America.

Butch Jones, head coach

TE Jason Witten made the All-SEC team and the Academic All-SEC team in 2002, and set Tennessee records for receptions and yardage by a tight end.

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VANDERBILT (2016 RECORD: 6-7)

Derek Mason (13-24 in three seasons at Vanderbilt) • Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)

SEASON OUTLOOK

BOWL BERTH GIVES HOPE TO COMMODORE PROGRAM Running backs should star for Vanderbilt An enthusiastic Derek Mason declared in 2014 that the time for Vanderbilt to win the Southeastern Conference was now. The Commodores promptly didn’t win a league game, losing half the games by at least three touchdowns.

The following year, Mason admitted he’d made rookie head coaching mistakes. So the former Stanford defensive coordinator fired both coordinators, and took over the defense himself.

He made several other staff changes, including hiring a new strength and conditioning coach.

Two years later, Mason isn’t predicting titles. But the Commodores have 17 returning starters from a 6-7 team that ended the regular season with victories over Ole Miss (38-17) and Tennessee (45-34) to become bowl-eligible.

Those opponents had been a combined 4-0 the previous two seasons against Vandy, with the average margin of victory 20.3 points per game.

Vanderbilt made the Independence Bowl, losing to NC State.

“This group is hungry,” said Ma-

RALPH WEBB AP photo

KEY PLAYERS RB Khari Blasingame (449 yards, 4.6 avg, 10 TDs), LB Oren Burks (59 tackles, 6 PBU, 5 QBPs), S Taurean Ferguson (52 tackles, 6 PBU), DT Nifae Lealao (22 tackles, 3 PBU, 2.5 sacks), OG Bruno Reagan (15 career starts), QB Kyle Shurmur (204-of-375, 2,409 yards, 9 TDs, 10 INTs), OT Justin Skule (15 career starts), RB Ralph Webb (1,283 yards, 5.1 avg, 13 TDs), S LaDarius Wiley (76 tackles, 4 PBU, 2 FR), S Ryan White (75 tackles, 6 PBU)

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SCHEDULE 9/2 at Middle Tennessee State Floyd Stadium 9/9 vs. Alabama A&M Vanderbilt Stadium 9/16 vs. Kansas State Vanderbilt Stadium 9/23 vs. Alabama Vanderbilt Stadium 9/30 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/7 vs. Georgia Vanderbilt Stadium 10/14 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 10/28 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 11/4 vs. Western Kentucky Vanderbilt Stadium 11/11 vs. Kentucky Vanderbilt Stadium 11/18 vs. Missouri Vanderbilt Stadium 11/25 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

son after the spring game. “I mean they’re mad and upset that we didn’t win the bowl game, but you know what? It was one hurdle that was

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hopped over. For us, we just gotta continue to grab what’s there to grab.

Right now, it’s all about progress.”

Vanderbilt was held under 20 points eight times last season, but the offense should be better with four starting linemen returning. They’ll open holes for tailback Ralph Webb, already the school record holder with 3,342 career yards, and Khari Blasingame (449 yards, 10 touchdowns last season).

“That whole running back crew is really pushing the envelope in terms of our physicality and what we need to be offensively,” Mason said. “I like where they are. Our offensive line still has to catch up a little bit.”

That’s also the case with junior quarterback Kyle Shurmur, who had several subpar efforts in his first two seasons. He threw for 689 yards and four touchdowns in the late-season victories over Ole Miss and Tennessee.

“What you saw at the end of the season with Kyle is exactly what you get,” Mason said. “The bowl game was sort of a step back, but few people knew he was playing with [a foot] injury early in that ballgame.”

HALL OF FAME

This team is going to fight, they’re not afraid of anyone. Now, what we have to do is make sure we grow this team the right way. This will be the first junior-senior football team I’ve had. This group is confident.

I’m confident. But confidence doesn’t win ball games.

Execution does.

Derek Mason, head coach

WR Earl Bennett made the All-SEC team in 2005 and 2006, and set the conference record for career receptions with 236.

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

37

EXPERT PREDICTIONS Writers share how they think the season will go for A&M

Several college football writers give a bleak assessment for head coach Kevin Sumlin returning to A&M in 2018.

KIRK BOHLS Austin American-Statesman Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3.

Auburn; 4. Arkansas; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Florida; 2. Georgia; 3.

Tennessee; 4. South Carolina; 5. Kentucky; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt

Eagle photo

by Sam Craft

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: The Aggies will split with UCLA and Arkansas, win the other nonconference games and be a classic middle-of-the-road team with its stars gone on defense and quarterback.

Christian Kirk will excel. The classic late-season fade will instead come during the middle of the year.

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if ... he can win eight games and one is over Alabama, Florida or LSU. Kevin Sumlin’s season will not be successful if ... he wins fewer than eight games, shows no progress and has discipline problems. I truly think his AD is ready to make a change now.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? Nick Starkel Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? Justin Fuente CHARLES DAVIS Fox Sports Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3.

Auburn; 4. Arkansas; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3. Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Vanderbilt; 7. Missouri A&M’s regular season record: 7–5 Summarizing A&M’s season: Yes, AD Scott Woodward has put a bull’s-eye on head coach Kevin Sumlin, but the man I know sitting in the HC’s office has never been one to run scared. It’s a huge uphill battle, but I believe that A&M will be ready to battle come September. The issue will be overall talent, play at the QB position, and good fortune (on more than one occasion).

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if …

They win the opener at UCLA, and find a way to win SEC home games. The loss I’m conceding is to Alabama. Pressure will be on to find a way to win the

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others (South Carolina, Mississippi State, Auburn) … and, while it will be far from easy, they are games that can be won.

Kevin Sumlin will not have a successful season if … They lose any nonconference home games to Nicholls State, Louisiana-Lafayette and New Mexico (and I see Louisiana-Lafayette and New Mexico as being potentially difficult).

game and what appears to be a good offensive line, plus Christian Kirk helps the Aggies through their quarterback situation. Defense has to be better, especially against the run and running quarterbacks.

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if ...

Beat Alabama. If that happens, A&M will finish over .500 in the conference and perhaps challenge for the division.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? Kellen Mond.

I think his style fits offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone’s vision of the offense best.

Kevin Sumlin’s season will not be successful if ...

Quarterback never develops, and Aggies don’t fare well against teams around them in the projections (Auburn, LSU, Arkansas).

Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? The Aggies could finish 7-5, and it could be the best record possible for this team, and to me would connote progress and a reason to stand pat, as I would see better days ahead for A&M. But, based on everything else swirling around the program ... I don’t think that will be enough, and the next head coach will be named … Larry Fedora, currently the head coach at North Carolina.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? Nick Starkel

BLAIR KERKHOFF Kansas City Star Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Texas A&M; 5. Arkansas; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3.

Tennessee; 4. South Carolina; 5. Kentucky; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: Strong running

SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? Sumlin SCOTT RABALAIS Baton Rouge-Advocate Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3.

Auburn; 4. Texas A&M; 5. Arkansas; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3.

Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: The Aggies trip on their trip to the Rose Bowl, but return home to reel off four straight wins before a predictable loss to Alabama. A&M splits the second half of the season 3-3 with wins over Mississippi State, New Mexico and Ole Miss.

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if ... He’s Texas A&M’s coach in 2018. That means, by my read of Scott Woodward, at least nine wins.

Maybe 10.

Kevin Sumlin’s season will not be successful if ...

He wins less than nine games. 8-4 or worse is going to send him packing. Good luck.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? Kellen Mond, but that is REALLY rolling the dice, based on the fact that he blossoms into the kind of dual-threat QB that Noel Mazzone’s offense craves.

Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? Larry Fedora RALPH RUSSO Associated Press Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3.

Auburn; 4. Mississippi State; 5. A&M; 6. Arkansas; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Tennessee; 3.

Florida; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Vanderbilt; 7. Missouri Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing Texas A&M’s season: I suspect we are headed for a season of more of the same. A very good offense with two of the best skill-position players in the SEC (Christian Kirk and Trayveon Williams) but with just OK play from the quarterback. At some point the run defense should improve and the middle of the defensive line is good, but hard to see a defense lose two NFL pass rushers and get significantly better.

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if …

Win at UCLA to ensure another fast start. Get to five wins in the conference and beat at least one of Auburn and LSU. Kevin Sumlin’s season will not be successful if …

If the Aggies win less than three of their last five SEC games.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? Kellen Mond Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? Chad Morris

BRENT ZWERNEMAN Houston Chronicle Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. Auburn; 3.

LSU; 4. Mississippi State; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Arkansas; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Florida; 2. Georgia; 3. Tennessee; 4. South Carolina; 5. Kentucky; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing Texas A&M’s season: The Aggies

Eagle photo by Sam Craft Daylon Mack and the interior line are projected to be a strength of the Texas A&M defense. start and end the regular season against a team in gold. In between they stumble in potholes in search of what’s become an elusive pot of gold in the SEC West — a winning record in league play.

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if …

He reaches nine wins for the first time since 2013 — when back in the good ol’ days of the Aggies in the SEC, 9-4 was considered a disappointment.

Kevin Sumlin’s season will not be successful if …

Fans are calling for the return of Larry Jackson by early November, in the maroon-blooded Aggie tradition of “getting the band back together.”

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? The Aggies turn to bespectacled, mustachioed, mysterious walk-on Donny Manzier from Tylville in a last-ditch effort to pull out a winning record. Somewhere in the swamps, Hugh Freeze nods approvingly and says, “Now that’s SEC ...”

Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? A hologram of Homer Norton, and the Aggies’ recruiting class of 2019 still finishes ninth nationally.

GEORGE SCHROEDER USA Today Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. Auburn; 3.

LSU; 4. Arkansas; 5. Texas A&M; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Florida; 2. Georgia; 3. South Carolina; 4. Tennessee; 5. Kentucky; 6.

Vanderbilt; 7. Missouri Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: The pressure is on Kevin Sumlin — officially, given Scott Woodward’s public comments — to somehow better the 8-5 trend. That looks like a tough chore given the talent that must be replaced. Everyone overcooks earlyseason results, but the key to the season might be Week 1 at UCLA. Win and A&M might have a shot to get off to a hot start (yeah, we’ve seen that before, but at least it would provide a chance). Lose and the narrative could get negative in a hurry.

Kevin Sumlin will have a successful season if ...

The Aggies demonstrate improvement, especially with wins over some of those SEC opponents they’re not expected to beat. Find a way to beat Alabama? OK, never mind that one. But slide past Auburn and/or LSU into second place in the SEC West, with a young quarterback who seems to be getting better and provides hope for the future? Just maybe there’d be reason to stick with the status quo.

Kevin Sumlin’s season will not be successful if ...

If the standard is to better 8-5 — just numbers — Sumlin is staring at a very difficult road. But that’s probably the standard. Eight or fewer victories probably means a coaching change.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback in the regular-season finale against LSU? Kellen Mond Who will be A&M’s head coach in 2018? Not Chip Kelly.

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All A&M, All the Time

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SEC 2017 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

2017

Preseason Media Days All-SEC teams

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama RB Derrius Guice, LSU RB Nick Chubb, Georgia WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia OL Braden Smith, Auburn OL Martez Ivey, Florida OL Jonah Williams, Alabama OL Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama C Frank Ragnow, Arkansas

SPECIALISTS

P JK Scott, Alabama PK Daniel Carlson, Auburn

DEFENSE

DL Da’Ron Payne, Alabama DL Da’Shawn Hand, Alabama DL Trenton Thompson, Georgia DL Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss LB Arden Key, LSU LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama LB Roquan Smith, Georgia DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama DB Ronnie Harrison, Alabama DB Armani Watts, Texas A&M DB Duke Dawson, Florida RS Christian Kirk, Texas A&M AP Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi St. RB Bo Scarbrough, Alabama RB Kamryn Pettway, Auburn WR Antonio Callaway, Florida WR J’Mon Moore, Missouri TE Hayden Hurst, South Carolina OL Isaiah Wynn, Georgia OL Jashon Robertson, Tennessee OL K.J. Malone, LSU OL Martinas Rankin, Mississippi St. C Bradley Bozeman, Alabama

SPECIALISTS

P Johnny Townsend, Florida PK Eddy Pineiro, Florida

Calvin Ridley AP Photo

DEFENSE

THIRD TEAM

DL CeCe Jefferson, Florida DL Marlon Davidson, Auburn DL Christian LaCouture, LSU DL Denzil Ware, Kentucky LB Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama LB Skai Moore, South Carolina LB Tre’ Williams, Auburn DB Tray Matthews, Auburn DB Donte Jackson, LSU DB Carlton Davis, Auburn DB Dominick Sanders, Georgia

RS Evan Berry, Tennssee AP Derrius Guice, LSU

OFFENSE

QB Austin Allen, Arkansas RB Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt RB Sony Michel, Georgia WR Deebo Samuel, S. Carolina WR Jauan Jennings, Tennessee TE DeAndre Goolsby, Florida OL Lester Cotton, Alabama OL Greg Little, Ole Miss OL Javon Patterson, Ole Miss OL Koda Martin, Texas A&M C Will Clapp, LSU

SPECIALISTS

P Trevor Daniel, Tennessee PK Gary Wunderlich, Ole Miss

DEFENSE

DL Marcell Frazier, Missouri DL Jabari Zuniga, Florida DL Dontavius Russell, Auburn DL Rashard Lawrence, LSU LB Jordan Jones, Kentucky LB Lorenzo Carter, Georgia LB Oren Burks, Vanderbilt DB Anthony Averett, Alabama DB Marcell Harris, Florida DB Mike Edwards, Kentucky DB Tony Brown, Alabama

RS Antonio Callaway, Florida AP Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

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41

What’s in a name?

This year’s crop of fun, odd and interesting monikers

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com A tough name can make a football player seem even tougher. A few don’t-mess-with-me examples from current SEC players: Nate Strong (Missouri), Stone Forsythe (Florida) and John Battle (LSU).

There’s something to be said for names that are just fun to say, like LaTrell Bumphus (Tennessee), Cheyenne O’Grady (Arkansas) and Matthew Herzwurm (Georgia).

As we scanned the SEC media guides for this year’s All-Name Team, we spotted a few famous names — or similar ones, at least — among the rosters. Try soul legend James Brown for Tennessee, comic Jon(athan) Stewart for Vanderbilt or former Texas coach Mac Brown at Ole Miss. For Aggies seeking fashion tips, they might try tight end Kalvin Cline.

Boxing enthusiasts can dream for a bout between Josh Ali (Kentucky) and Joshua Frazier (Alabama). The winner gets Georgia’s Elijah Holyfield (Evander’s son).

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Let’s hope we see Tennessee tight end James Brown debut the “jump back and kiss myself” pass route.

AP Photo

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We noted in last year’s roundup the political potential of Missouri teammates Jacob Trump and Harley Whitehouse. Since the political blabber never ends these days, we’ll add Brad Wall (Mississippi State), Lowell Narcisse (LSU), Tre Nixon (Ole Miss) and Gary Putin (kidding!).

And then there is this missed marketing opportunity: If Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu had ended up in Aggieland, there’s no doubt his jersey would become an instant fan favorite.

As the All-Name Team rules state, players are only eligible for one year. So we bid a fond farewell to last year’s entries: Nigel Warrior, Devin Dingle, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Giovanni LaFrance, Alex Essex, Kingsley Keke, Lester Cotton, Boosie Whitlow, Kyle LeStrange, Ditalian Tobler, Jalen Dread, Delando Crooks, Prince Micheal Sammons, Willie Hibbler, Harry Gornto V, Alexy Jean-Baptiste, Tank Davis, Dexter Wideman, Albert Okwuegbunam and Devin Grimm.

Check out this year’s top 20 names on the next page.

1 Mississippi State Sincere David 2 Ole Miss Justice Bean 3 Texas A&M SEC Racey McMath 4 LSU ALL-NAME Naquez Pringle 5 Kentucky TEAM Princeton Fant 6 Tennessee Here are our 20 selections Clifton Escort III for this year’s team. All are shown just as they are listed 7 LSU in the teams’ media guides Kody Schexnayder or official websites.

8 Mississippi State Nigel Knott 9 Alabama Brayden Berezowitz 10 Kentucky Tommy Champion

11 Alabama Wyman Baxley 12 South Carolina D.D. Bowie 13 Ole Miss Kordell Looney 14 Kentucky Montez Sweat 15 Mississippi State Britto Tutt 16 Arkansas Pace Ozmint 17 Auburn Edwitch Merisier 18 Florida Thaddeus Moss 19 LSU Cheyenne Labruzza 20 Tennessee Montana Murphy

At Texas A&M our students and faculty succeed on every “playing field.”

We are committed to a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and service and to an environment of respect where all Aggies Commit to Learning for a Lifetime.

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43

SEC MIX TAPE

The 2017 playlist for players, coaches and personalities

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com Pop music and football aren’t necessarily a natural fit, but there moments of synergy. I’ll admit to thinking of a certain sad R.E.M. song when Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts is mentioned. And Georgia running back Nick Chubb always calls to mind the great voice of rapper Chubb Rock.

Here are a few tunes that connect to Aggies and their conference foes, along with some old rivals.

Former Smiths singer Morrissey is clearly thrilled to finally make an SEC football magazine.

AP photo

Kevin Sumlin Just Once by James Ingram (1981): The Texas A&M coach is under the microscope, thanks to three straight stumbles to the finish line in 8-5 seasons.

Can the relationship be saved? Sounds like a job for an R&B crooner.

Lyrics: “I gave my all, but I think my all may have been too much / ‘Cause Lord knows we’re not getting anywhere / Seems we’re always blowing whatever we’ve got going / And it seems at times with all we’ve

got, we haven’t got a prayer / Just once, can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong? / Why the good times never last for long / Where are we going wrong?”

Nick Saban All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled (2010): The Alabama coach is a machine. His record with the Crimson Tide is a staggering 119-19. Saban has led Alabama to double-digit wins for nine straight years, including four national championships. There’s not much you can do but throw up your hands, and maybe your lunch, when Alabama is on the schedule.

Lyrics: “All I do is win, win, win, no matter what / Got money on my mind, I can never get enough / And every time I step up in the building / Everybody hands go up … and they stay there.”

Entitled Texas fans Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths (1984): Texas has been trending downward for several years, including three straight seasons with losing records. This of course will not be allowed

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to continue. It’s common knowledge that Longhorns deserve national dominance. Therefore, Tom Herman will automatically fix the whole mess. It’s the only logical scenario.

Lyrics: “Good times for a change / See the luck I’ve had can make a good man turn bad / So please, please, please / Let me, let me, let me / Let me get what I want this time.”

big time, boy? You’re no longer on the ball.’ / I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round / I really love to watch them roll / No longer riding on the merry-go-round / I just had to let it go.”

Aggies to the Big 12 Only the Lonely by The Motels (1982): Some in the conference take shots at A&M for jumping ship to the mighty SEC, including TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte in June. Meanwhile, the potential demise of the Big 12 is an annual hot topic.

Lyrics: “You mention the time we were together / So long ago / Well, I don’t remember / All I know is it makes me feel good now / It’s like I told you / Only the lonely can play.”

Ed Orgeron I’m So Excited by The Pointer Sisters (1984): The LSU coach says he consumes eight to 10 energy drinks a day. We have two words for you, coach: Jessie Spano.

The Saved by the Bell character played by Elizabeth Berkley got all hopped up on caffeine pills in a 1990 episode. If you, like, missed it somehow, she was totally dealing with a killer geometry class AND preparing to audition for a record producer with her rad pop trio Hot Sundae. (Typical day at Bayside High.) The results were disastrous, though legendary for youth-oriented daytime television.

Lyrics (Spano freakout version): “I’m so excited!

I’m so excited! I’m so … scared!”

Kyler Murray Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds (1985): The undersized quarterback’s turbulent year at A&M led to his transfer to Oklahoma, where he had to sit out the 2016 season. And since Heisman finalist Baker Mayfield is back, Murray gets to ride the pine again. But hey, at least there’s baseball, right? In 27 games for the Sooners this year, Murray’s

Aggie fans in November I’ll Cry Instead by The Beatles (1964): The past several seasons have looked remarkably similar for the Aggies: Start fast and get everyone’s hopes up, then dash those hopes with a string of losses to end the year.

The holiday season should be about good vibes, not throwing stuff at your TV and yelling so loud you scare the dog next door.

Lyrics: “I’ve got a chip on my shoulder that’s bigger than my feet / I can’t talk to people that I meet / If I could see you now / I’d try to make you sad somehow / But I can’t, so I’ll cry instead.”

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SEASON SEATING

Verne Lundquist Watching the Wheels by John Lennon (1981): Saturday afternoons won’t be the same without the longtime CBS announcer, who retired at the end of last season. We’ll always have the 2012 A&M-Alabama game, and “Oh, my gracious! How about that?!?”

Lyrics: “When I tell them that I’m doing fine watching shadows on the wall / ‘Don’t you miss the

batting average was .122.

Lyrics: “Will you stand above me? / Look my way, never love me / Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling down, down, down / Will you recognize me? / Call my name or walk on by / Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling down, down, down, down.”

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A SHINING PURPOSE George H. W. Bush’s Legacy of Service Coming in fall 2017:

A hard-bound book loaded with photographs capturing 20 years of the Bush Presidential Center in Aggieland. Foreword by the 41st President RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY:

theeagle.com/ashiningpurpose OR museumstore.com

Presented by the Bush Foundation, Bryan-College Station Eagle and Union Pacific

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47

BATTLE OF THE BEASTS

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WHO REIGNS AS COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S

BEST ANIMAL MASCOT?

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com Affection for a college mascot can perhaps best be measured by one thing: how likely you are to pet it and get close enough for a picture.

Dog mascots? You bet. Barnyard animals? Depends on if Purell is available.

Fierce-looking birds? No. Jungle animals that could see you as a snack? Tempting, but no.

There is more than just cuteness in considering the best mascots. We’ll skip the costumed characters. (Apologies to the Stanford Tree.) Animals that make appearances at football games get additional consideration.

A disclaimer: This is not a commentary on how the animals are cared for, their living conditions or their political leanings.

We’re just talking college football fun here.

Nos. 20-11 20. Lady and Joy (Baylor): The black bears don’t go to the games anymore. But they would love to steal your pic-a-nic basket.

19. Leo and Una (North Alabama): Two lions reside in a habitat on campus.

18. Rameses (North Carolina): The Dorset Horn sheep has an impressive set of curved horns.

17. Traveler (USC): The horse and Trojan warrior have been a part of USC games since 1961.

16. Bill the Goat (Navy): The goat tradition traces back to 1893.

15. Army mules: Three mules are on hand for Army games.

14. Mike the Tiger (LSU): Sadly, Mike VI died last year. The next Mike won’t attend LSU games.

13. Sir Big Spur (South Carolina): The Old English blackbreasted red gamecock even attends road games.

12. CAM the Ram (Colorado State): CAM is for CSU’s former name (Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College).

11. Osceola and Renegade (Florida State): The Seminole Tribe of Florida approves of the student portraying Osceola on an Appaloosa horse.

THE TOP 10 10. Tusk (Arkansas) The Russian boar is a hefty load that appears at home games, and the Arkansas band even plays Fleetwood Mac’s 1979 song Tusk.

9. Bevo (Texas) As far as sideline presence goes, the longhorn does have a certain intimidation factor. A drowsy, drippy, “Heywhere-am-I?” kind of intimidation factor.

8. Bully (Mississippi State) The English bulldog isn’t the most famous one in the SEC, but is beloved in Starkville. According to the student newspaper, Bully gets a weekly “spa day.”

7. The Masked Rider (Texas Tech) Tech has one of the better mascot moments, when the horse (named Fearless Champion) and black-clad rider dash down the field at Jones AT&T Stadium.

6. Handsome Dan (Yale) Dan is an Olde English Bulldogge (for vowel-buying enthusiasts), and Yale’s tradition dates back to 1889. The latest Dan debuted in November as a young pup.

5. War Eagle (Auburn) It’s not an official mascot, as “War Eagle” is Auburn’s “battle cry.” But the eagle’s flight at home games is highly impressive.

4. Uga (Georgia) The English bulldog may be the most famous mascot. A great mix of cuddly and craggy.

3. Smokey (Tennessee) The bluetick coonhound has a tough-yet-noble appeal and can let out a mighty howl.

2. Ralphie (Colorado) When a big honkin’ beast romps and stomps on a football field, it’s hard to top. The 1,200-pound buffalo’s entrance to Folsom Field is a great sports moment.

1. Reveille (Texas A&M) C’mon, you knew this was coming. But it’s not just for homer reasons. There’s the consensus that the first Reveille was a stray. There’s her distinction as the highestranking member of the Corps of Cadets. And maybe the best part is her campus presence. She doesn’t just come out on game day like other mascots. She lives on campus, goes to class with the Corps’ mascot corporal and gets her picture taken constantly with students and visitors.

Try that, Ralphie. (On second thought, don’t.)

Clockwise from top left on previous page: Bully (Mississippi State), CAM the Ram (Colorado State), Sir Big Spur (South Carolina), Bevo (Texas), Ralphie (Colorado), the Masked Rider (Texas Tech), Tusk (Arkansas), Renegade and Osceola (Florida State).

Above, from top: Uga (Georgia), War Eagle (Auburn), Smokey (Tennessee) and Reveille (Texas A&M).

AP photos Bully photo courtesy of Mississippi State Tusk photo: Walt Beazley, Razorbacks Athletics Reveille IX: Eagle file photo

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THE HEAT IS ON Just how hot is the hot seat?

Aggie rage A&M fans have been known to boil over, especially after epic blowouts (Alabama in 2014, Oklahoma in 2003) and terribly disappointing losses (both Mississippi schools in 2016, Texas in 2011, Arkansas State in 2008, the Fran years … we could go on).

Hot peppers The crazy-hot peppers get wicked names (Dragon’s Breath, Naga Viper, Trinidad Scorpion), but habaneros and ghost peppers are hot enough to induce tears, sweat and regret.

Any recent media coverage about Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin has at least hinted at “the hot seat.” You know, the you’re-about-to-get-canned-if-you-don’t-win-big status, at least according to critics and fans.

It’s kind of an odd fascination, actively speculating on the ending of a person’s employment. You don’t often hear, “Man, after that third-quarter earnings loss, Kenny from accounting is on the hot seat.”

But that’s college football. And after three 8-5 seasons, Sumlin’s rump is reportedly roasting, earning him a No. 3 ranking on coacheshotseat.com.

All that got us thinking about this seat of heat: Where would it rank among “hot” things? Here’s a not-at-all scientific analysis.

(Best guess: The hot seat ranks at the lower end of this spectrum.)

Hot Pockets The lava that oozes from the freshly nuked microwave snack is enough to give your mouth severe pain for days.

Upside: comedy inspiration for Jim Gaffigan.

Park slides in August Nothing says “summer” like panicked children with scorched legs. Stay off the slides, kids.

‘Hot in Herre’

by Nelly

Archaeology As shown in the 1981 documentary Raiders of the Lost Ark, viewing an ancient artifact can cause your face to melt right off.

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By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

The sweltering 2002 summer was so oppressive to the hitmaking rapper that it even affected his spelling.

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The Chattahoochee River According to noted meteorologist Alan Jackson, the area by the waydown-yonder river gets hotter than a hoochie coochie. (Dance term. Rhymes with Chattahoochee. Just go with it.)

The Heat Miser Remember the fiery fellow from the 1974 claymation special The Year Without a Santa Claus? “Whatever I touch starts to melt in my clutch. I’m too much.”

‘Hot Hot Hot’

by Buster Poindexter All respect to David Johansen for The New York Dolls and various acting roles, but his alter-ego’s novelty hit in 1987 didn’t go beyond “unseasonably warm” status.

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