The Battalion — November 21, 2023 by The Battalion

Aggies share Thanksgiving break plans Students discuss holiday traditions, celebrations By By Maryhelen Guerrero @Mary_Gro14 As Texas A&M braces for exam season, the excitement builds as three Aggies disclose their holiday plans, ushering in the Thanksgiving holiday. At this point in the semester, students start packing their belongings and making their way home to reunite with their families. As the temperature drops in College Station, signaling the onset of the holiday season, Aggies embark on planning festivities with friends, sharing meals with family and centering their attention on expression of gratitude. One of the most important aspects of Thanksgiving is the food, economics junior Israel Gonzales said. Every Thanksgiving his family celebrates at his uncle’s home in Mathis, where the turkey is fried, Gonzales said. Despite the scheduling challenges that arise from splitting the holiday between his mom and dad’s sides of the family, Gonzales said dedicating quality time to family is important. “We’ll have a meal with one side of the family for two or three hours and then go to my grandma’s, my mom’s side of the family, and spend the rest of the day there,” Gonzales said. Going to both family events means eating twice the servings, Gonzales said. Though he doesn’t participate in the cooking, he said he does help his mom, the chef of the family, prepare meals and helps out with cleaning. “People think of Thanksgiving and turkey,” Gonzales said. “I like ham because turkey gets you tired, but ham and mac and cheese are my favorite go-to’s.” THANKSGIVING ON PG. A2

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M Interim President Mark A. Welsh III shakes hands with a university official following the decision naming Welsh as the sole finalist for the title of university president at the Board of Regents Annex on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

University selects presidential finalist Gen. Mark Welsh III named sole candidate to lead A&M By Ana Renfroe @aeoenia The Texas A&M Board of Regents named current-interim President Gen. Mark A. Welsh III the

sole finalist for university president during a Friday, Nov. 17 meeting. The regents unanimously agreed on Welsh as the finalist. Earlier last week on Monday, Nov. 13, A&M system Chancellor John Sharp told the Faculty Senate Executive Committee that he would be recommending Welsh to the regents for the presidency, according to a Nov. 13 press release. Now that the board has accept-

ed Sharp’s recommendation, faculty and students will have 21 days to give feedback and input before officially naming Welsh president. “Like many of you, I am pleased with the direction of Texas A&M under Gen. Welsh’s leadership,” Sharp said in the Nov. 13 statement. “He is moving decisively to advance the university’s mission, and he is doing it while ensuring that faculty, staff and others are

properly informed and included. I want to again encourage the Faculty Senate to gather and share faculty perspectives about General Welsh at this critical time.” As the countdown for the waiting period begins, Sharp said this will help with academic and administrative hiring decisions, along with restoring momentum for other university initiatives.

Students disparage low campus wages College costs cause community to reevaluate compensation from part-time jobs By Ashley Acuna @AshleyMAcuna Student employment data from 2020-21 provided by Texas A&M’s Student Office Employment showed the median hourly wage was $10.00. A&M graduate Sam Jefferis, who previously served in A&M’s Student Senate, said while the numbers have improved, student workers should be supported by A&M more. “In recent days, with Jimbo Fisher’s payout being so large, we really need to make sure our donors and our school are aligned with how they’re supporting the university with money,” Jefferis said. “The money should be directed to the right resources.” During his time as a student senator, Jefferis said he advocated to make wages fairer for students and suggested A&M create an initiative for students to accumulate less debt. Jefferis said implementing a program to aid students in paying tuition and living expenses is difficult for A&M. “I spoke to [A&M’s] administration and mentioned Ohio State University’s debt-free plan, and the idea was to use scholarships, work opportunities and grants to empower students not to start off with a lot of debt when they were enrolled in college,” Jefferis said.

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Technology management sophomore Ashley Mendoza and communication junior Madeline Sturm work at the MSC Help Desk on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.

However, Jefferis said the plan would require donors and corporations to contribute, lessening donations to athletics, new buildings, and staff and faculty position endowments. Jefferis said a decrease in funding by state

governments is the biggest reason students are needing to earn more money. “Back in the day, the cost of attendance of a university was significantly lower due to the fact that state governments were providing substantial funds,” Jefferis said. “As time pro-

gressed, those budgets and funding has shrunk, causing the increase of costs to affect students. The cost towards students has increased and thus you have to earn more.” PAY ON PG. A2

NEWS

The Battalion | 11.21.23

THANKSGIVING CONTINUED FROM A1 Some students are choosing to celebrate with friends before heading out for the holidays, including sophomore biomedical science Ana Renteria. Her friendsgiving will consist of her friends bringing potluck dishes and spending time together throughout the day. The friendsgiving was hosted on Friday, Nov. 19, she will bring her delicious mac and cheese with enough to share with 13-15 people and there, they will catch up about their semester, Renteria said. “I always celebrate Thanksgiving with my family no matter what,” Renteria said. “Anything before or after that day, I try to visit friends and chat, but holidays will always be pri-

PAY CONTINUED FROM A1 Jefferis said an increase in university enrollment is the reason costs have gone up. With continuing pressure to pursue higher education, colleges are prompted to raise their costs since students are willing to pay higher amounts of money. Students should be making money based on their labor, and the current levels are below market rate, he said. Agricultural economics lecturer Nicholas Kilmer said the current average hourly wage for students is not enough to cover their expenses. “From a broad perspective, about $9 an hour at 20 hours per week over nine months would not be enough to cover the cost to live and attend school for the fall and spring semesters,” Kilmer said. “It totals less than $6,500 before taxes, and the estimated cost of attendance for an undergraduate Texas resident is close to $30,000 for that same time period.” Students must utilize resources from their universities to afford their education and living expenses, Kilmer said. “I doubt that hardly any universities in Texas would assume that a student could afford to live and attend school full-time based solely on part-time wages,” Kilmer said. “Most students must combine funds from multiple sources such as scholarships, grants, student loans, part-time work, parent contributions, military benefits and so on to do so.” Political science junior Jameasha Johnson said her scholarship alleviates the burden of paying tuition —but she still struggles to save money. She said

oritized for family.” This season is the time to be thankful to one another, and for English sophomore Theresa Marquez, it means being grateful for the support of her family. On Thanksgiving day, her family would go around the table and say their goals for the coming year. Marquez said she hopes to practice more of her faith, excel in her current job and reflect on all opportunities and blessings she has received this past year. “Although the festivities are fun, I try to remember the true meaning of this holiday, and that is to be thankful,” Marquez said. “I try to give to those who are not as fortunate and let people in my life know how thankful I am for them.”

despite being a Regents’ Scholar, she still needs to work, and her $10-anhour job isn’t enough. “I struggle every two weeks since I get paid biweekly to purchase books, groceries, new clothes, backpacks and class materials, and I work 15 hours a week,” Johnson said. “I struggle to save, as well, since there’s only so much I could put in my savings, and I don’t make as much as I want to make. It’s hard to make ends meet.” Student employees should get paid more due to their working conditions and reliance on their job to pay expenses, Johnson said. “A lot of students don’t have scholarships and have to pay out of pocket for tuition, rent, books and have a lot of other stuff to pay for,” Johnson said. “Most of us work in high-stress environments, so we should get paid more than what we currently get paid.” Allied health junior Jasmine Sanchez said she makes $15 an hour working one job, but that alone is not enough. “ … I only work 8 hours a week, so I don’t get paid that much whenever I work.” Sanchez said. “If I worked every day, it wouldn’t be enough for rent but enough for miscellaneous items and groceries. I’m mostly able to afford rent because of support from my parents.” Even though she is fairly satisfied with her job, students on campus should get paid more, Sanchez said. “I know a friend who works on campus to pay rent, and her job alone cannot pay for tuition,” Sanchez said. “ … Students on campus should get paid more.”

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Electrical engineering senior Nicholas Groenewold and civil engineering senior Luke Spencer work their horses around the track on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 at McFerrin 65 Parsons Mounted Cavalry Headquarters.

Cavalry celebrates 50th anniversary

Nation’s only collegiate cavalry serves as one of A&M’s most unique traditions By John Chapa @JDChapaBatt There is only one collegiate cavalry in the nation and its reign belongs to Texas A&M. This semester, the Corps of Cadets horse-mounted unit, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, celebrates its 50th anniversary. To celebrate the golden anniversary, the cavalry held a tour of Fiddler’s Green, a 50acre property where Parsons Mounted Cavalry keeps its 73 horses and seven mules, in October. Parsons Mounted Cavalry Commanding Officer and political science senior Charles “Chaz” Garcia III said they also held a special event for former and current cavalry members, or cav jocks. “We had a banquet for all the cav jocks, so everyone from the Classes of 1974 to 2024,” Garcia said. “It was pretty surreal, meeting what we would call in terms of the Corps ‘ancestors.’ [Meeting] the very first cavalry commander was something really special.” The cavalry is named after the former Corps Commandant, Colonel Thomas R.

Parsons. A&M had a horse combat unit until it disbanded in 1945. Garcia said he’s glad the Class of 1974 revived the mounted unit because military horse training teaches cadets how to become leaders. “The key thing to be a cav jock is you need to be a hard worker,” Garcia said. “You need to be someone who’s willing to sacrifice for Fiddler’s Green and still be able to conduct yourself in a good manner in school, on the Quad and off the Quad. At the end of the day, we’re a leadership organization trying to develop people who can go out in the future with the skills and the teachings that they learn here and apply it to their regular lives.” Fiddler’s Green gets its name from the infamous poem of the same name, Garcia said, where a special afterlife exists for only cavalrymen and their horses. “When a man comes to die, if he’s a cavalryman, he’ll come upon this beautiful place,” Garcia said. “It’s an everfield glade where you see old cavalrymen from years past who have died. It’s just them and their horses. There’s never-ending music. It’s fun because [the poem] takes some shots at infantry men and engineers. You see them all marching straight to hell. But every cavalryman on his way, halfway down the trail to hell, takes a little turn and finds that beautiful place called Fiddler’s Green.” Around 100 junior and senior cadets from

different Corps outfits make up the mounted unit. Garcia said up to 150 sophomores go through an extensive application process to earn one of 50 available spots for junior cav jock, needing no previous riding experience, only a strong work ethic. Cav jocks are required to spend four to five days at Fiddler’s Green and three to four hours each visit between ride class, game day prep and actual game day. Squad Leader and aerospace engineering senior Genevieve Pace said cav jocks form a strong bond with the horses they work with and loves feeding and riding the horses each week. “One of the big things that we talk about is these animals aren’t robots; they’re your partners,” Pace said. “Right? We spend way too much time with them to not treat them like our friends.” Pace said she has learned a lot and has gained many opportunities from her time in the unit. “I think one of the really cool parts about being out here on the Cavalry is like it’s the network within the network within the network.” Pace said. “I get to meet a bunch of people who are contracted with different services. It’s a great way to just meet a lot of people that I wouldn’t get the opportunity to have met.” Cav jocks obtain special privileges upon their transition into senior leadership. Pace

said she earned a Parsons Mounted Cavalry belt buckle during family weekend, her own senior horse, Teddy, and her own saber, which she will keep after her time in the cavalry — a privilege reserved to calvary members as ones in the Corps are passed down each year. “Each of the seniors gets a saber and gets to keep it once they’re done with their time in the cavalry,” Pace said. “You’ll see all the seniors with their sabers on their horses. You’ll also see whenever the Corps marches by [on gameday]. Anyone who’s in a leadership position has a saber as well.” In addition to serving as a horse-mounted unit, 17 cavalry members serve on the unit’s half section, which is responsible for manning the Spirit of ‘02, an antique cannon which Cadets found in the woods 50 years ago that fires on Aggie football game days. Construction science senior Sam Nix serves as section chief and signals the cannon blast before the start of the game and after every Aggie score. Nix said it’s hard to describe the adrenaline rush on game days. “My favorite part is probably at the start of kickoff every single game,” Nix said. “Right when the clock hits zero, we fire the cannon to kick off the game. Looking up in the crowd into the student section, you can see everybody waving their [12th Man] towels around, moving to the beat of the music and everything. It’s unreal.”

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OPINION

The Battalion | 11.21.23

Society isn’t thankful for Thanksgiving

Opinion writer Maddie McMurrough says we need to give Thanksgiving the dedicated time it deserves Maddie McMurrough @MadsMcMurrough I remember a time when putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving Day was a big no-no. The passive-aggressive neighborhood Facebook comments would say, “It’s too early to put up decorations.” Or the neighborhood Homeowners Association would contact the perpetrator asking them to take down the decorations until the proper time came. Now, in 2023, Christmas began on Halloween. On Oct. 31, I walked into Target to get some last-minute Halloween candy but was met with stockings, Christmas trees and the sound of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” I was shocked and horrified. Society isn’t thankful for Thanksgiving, and that’s the real Halloween scare if you ask me. Mariah, all I want for Christmas is for people to gain some patience. Because I really like Thanksgiving. So, why are we trying to rush through October and November? My guess is that many

people are chasing the high of what Christmas once was and the opportunity a new year offers. I hate to break it to you, but Christmas isn’t going to feel like it did when you were eight, and 2024 is probably going to be the same pile of horse crap this one was, stop trying to convince yourself into thinking differently. Instead, take a second to enjoy where you’re at now, in this exact moment of your life. If you’re always looking ahead and waiting for the future, you’ll miss out on what’s happening right now. Because the best gift is the present. I know, it’s cliche, but it’s true. If you spend your days anticipating what will happen two months in the future, you’ll waste those tiny moments, and find yourself utterly lost when that moment you’ve been waiting for passes. And most of the time, that moment you’ve been building up won’t meet your impossible standards, only letting you down further. Then the only gift you’ve given yourself for Christmas is regret. Thanksgiving is the time to be wholly present and thankful for life and family. It’s one of the only holidays that emphasize the importance of gratitude in spite of life’s challenges. This holiday has a special place in my heart

because, in my junior year of high school, my mother suffered from an aneurysm in early November. The odds of her surviving were one in three. But being the fighter she is, she made her recovery and got to come home, just in time for Thanksgiving. That year, and every Thanksgiving since, I am filled with regret. Regret because I took my mom for granted and didn’t celebrate every second I had with her before her aneurysm. Fueled by grief for those lost moments, I now make an active effort to be grateful for every day I’m given. Thanksgiving has become my time to slow down, stay present and not waste a single second wishing for the future. I think about what my life would’ve been like if my mom passed away that chilly fall morning, and that sadness is insurmountable. I think of the pistachio pudding that would no longer be on the Thanksgiving menu, the silly paper crowns we get from holiday crackers that wouldn’t be on our heads and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that wouldn’t grace our television. No one should feel that kind of regret for wasting the present. Until some genius creates a time machine, that clock will only go one way. So, make every second count.

You can listen to Christmas music all you’d like. You can put up your Christmas tree, I really don’t care. But take a moment to stop and smell the pumpkin pie. Let Christmas come on its own time. If Thanksgiving isn’t your speed, change your perspective on it. Don’t celebrate in the name of the pilgrims and Native Americans, but in the names of the people who sit at that table, the hands you hold when you say the blessing and the people who you’ll miss when you inevitably leave that feast. Raise a glass to today because tomorrow isn’t certain. Be thankful for the time you and your loved ones have been given, and when Christmas comes, you will have given yourself the best gift. Be present and thankful for every moment of your life. Happy Turkey Day, and I hope you and your family enjoy every political argument, food coma and pie-filled second of this holiday. Maddie McMurrough is an agricultural communications and journalism junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

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SPORTS

Calling Baton Rouge Aggies head to Death Valley for last regular season game, face off against SEC West rival By Justin Chen @chen_justin_ What happens if an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? In this case, it’s Texas A&M’s stingy defense led by junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper going up against the best offense in the country conducted by LSU senior quarterback Jayden Daniels. All eyes will be on Daniels as he boasts the No. 1 quarterback rating in the country and a place as one of the top candidates to win the esteemed Heisman trophy. The dual-threat quarterback has done it all this season, throwing for 3,577 yards and adding on another 1,014 on the ground. Daniels has been a one-man scoring machine, accounting for 46 touchdowns. Going up against one of the country’s best talents, A&M coach Elijah Robinson praised the quarterback’s dual-threat ability. “[Daniels] is extremely talented,” Robinson said. “He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards, threw for over 3,500 yards and has a great coach in coach Kelly. He’s a problem, he’s a true weapon and we’ll need to be at the top of our game to give ourselves a chance [to win.]” While Daniels has soaked up the spotlight with his dynamic play, his main target, junior wide receiver Malik Nabers, has also accumulated similar success. This season has been tilted in Nabers’ favor, as he’s posted career highs with 80 receptions, 1,424 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s also leading the country in receiving yards while his co-star wide receiver, junior Brian Thomas Jr., leads the country in receiving touchdowns with 14. Looking to halt Daniel’s Heisman cam-

Ishika Samant — THE BATTALION

Sophomore QB Jaylen Henderson (16) runs the ball during Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

paign is a rocky Maroon and White defense led by Cooper. The painfully dangerous linebacker has been one of the main reasons why A&M’s front seven has been one of the best in the country, racking up a No. 2 ranking in sacks and No. 15 in rushing yards allowed

per game. However, A&M’s defensive backfield has been inconsistent throughout the season. They’ve struggled with pass-heavy teams such as Ole Miss and Alabama. Both games featured career-high stats from Alabama senior

wide receiver Jermain Burton and Ole Miss senior wide receiver Tre Harris. Stopping Nabers and Thomas will be a tall task for the Aggie secondary. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Maroon and White’s offense. Though initially promising with the emergence of sophomore quarterback Connor Weigman, injuries have hampered the quarterback room and now duty calls for sophomore Jaylen Henderson to finish out the year. In his recent action, Henderson has been impressive, scoring four touchdowns against Mississippi State and tacking on two more last week against Abilene Christian. Though the quarterback’s been serviceable for A&M, the question will be on the offensive line and if they can protect Henderson from start to finish. Just from the first pass against the Wildcats last week, a blitzing ACU player went unprotected and forced an errant Henderson pass leading to a pick-six. If the Aggies hope to keep up with an offensive juggernaut like LSU, protecting Henderson will be the first priority. However, Robinson said that protecting the quarterback lies on all of the offense’s shoulders, not just the offensive line. “It can be either my call, tight ends, running backs, it can be how routes are being ran [and] it can be the quarterback’s decision on holding on the ball too long,” Robinson said. “It’s a collection of everything and what we have to do as coaches is narrow it down to where we put our players in the best situation where we don’t have to worry about [Henderson] holding on to the ball [for too long] and getting the ball out his hands.” With Daniels looking to add to his Heisman campaign as one of the country’s best players and A&M trying to finish out the season strong in the absence of Jimbo Fisher, it will be an interesting matchup come Saturday, albeit heavily favored for the Tigers.

Basketball preview: Where magic happens A&M set to open ESPN Events Invitational at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex By Hunter Mitchell @HunterM1001 It’s Feast Week, and that means college basketball teams from around the country will head to non-conference tournaments all the way from Charleston, South Carolina to Maui, Hawai’i. Texas A&M men’s basketball is no different. The Aggies are slated to play in one of the toughest tournaments in the country: the ESPN Events Invitational. Six of the eight teams in the invitational made the NCAA tournament last season in A&M, FAU, VCU, Penn State, Boise State and Iowa State. One of the other teams, Virginia Tech, is coach Buzz Williams’ last stop before coming to A&M. The Aggies will be matched up in the first round against the team that knocked them out of the NCAA tournament last season, Penn State. The Nittany Lions blew out the Maroon and White last year, coasting to a 76-59 victory off the back of Andrew Funk and Jalen Pickett combing for 46 points and 9-12 from behind the arch. Luckily for the Aggies, Penn State experienced major turnover in the offseason. In addition to losing its entire starting five, the Nittany Lions lost head coach Micah Shrewsberry to Notre Dame. In his stead, Penn State brought in VCU’s Mike Rhoades. Following Rhoades from VCU is senior guard Ace Baldwin Jr. and junior G Nick Kern Jr. After averaging just 3.7 points per game last season, sophomore G Kanye Clary has erupted in his starting role for Penn State, leading the Nittany Lions with 17.5 points per game. In the second round, A&M will be matched up with the winner of Butler/Florida Atlantic.

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Graduate G Tyrece Radford (23) laughs with sophomore F Solomon Washington (13) and the rest of the team during Texas A&M’s game against Oral Roberts in Reed Arena on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

The FAU Owls are fresh off of their Final-Four run last season where they knocked off Memphis, Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State before falling to San Diego State. This season, FAU returns almost all of its production from last season, with juniors in G Johnell Davis, G Alijah Martin and center Vladislav Goldin leading the charge. Despite starting last season on a 24-game winning streak, the Owls have already suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the 2-3 Bryant Bulldogs, 61-52. FAU’s first round opponent, the Butler Bulldogs, have had a rough go of things in

recent years, with their last winning season in 2019 and their last tournament appearance in 2018. In 2023, the Bulldogs lost four double-digit scorers from the year prior. To replace them, Butler brought in six transfers, including senior St. John’s transfer G Posh Alexander. For Butler, junior G and Michigan State transfer Pierre Brooks II leads a balanced Bulldogs attack with 13.2 points per game. Three other Bulldogs average double digits in Alexander, senior Northeastern transfer G Jahmyl Telfort and senior UC-Irvine transfer G DJ Davis. Elsewhere in the tournament, other dark

horse championship teams include Iowa State, a young team led by freshman forward Milan Momcilovic and Boise State, which returns three starters from its tournament team. The Aggies have not won a non-conference tournament since 2017, when the Aggies won the Progressive Legends Classic in Brooklyn, New York with a 98-87 victory over none other than Penn State. The Maroon and White will open the first round on Thursday, Nov. 23 at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida at 11 a.m. for a Thanksgiving matchup.

GALLERY The Battalion | 11.21.23

FOOTBALL FRAMES

A&M played its last game at Kyle Field of the 2023 season against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18. The Aggies prevailed 38-10 over the Wildcats in interim head coach Elijah Robinson’s debut.

By Jamie Rowe, Julianne Shivers and Ishika Samant @jrowephotos, @centenial.photography and @ishphoto

Freshman RB Rueben Owens (2) runs with the ball during Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

Junior WR Moose Muhammad III (7) hurdles over sophomore S Dorian Plumley (3) in Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday Nov. 18 2023 at Kyle Field.

Sophomore QB Jaylen Henderson (16) throws the ball during Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

Junior LB Edgerrin Cooper (45) yells with Senior yell leader Ethan Davis after Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

Junior WR Jahdae Walker (9) points to the endzone after a first down in Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

Interim head coach Elijah Roberston runs out after halftime during Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

Public health senior Perdue Landon performs with the Aggie Band during Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

Sophomore LB Martrell Harris Jr. (40) chest bumps Graduate DB Sam Matthews (12) during Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

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Graduate WR Anias Smith (0) gets tackled in Texas A&M’s game against ACU on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Kyle Field.

SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.21.23

WEEK 13: STAFF PICKS

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Texas A&M vs. No. 14 LSU

Saturday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. on ESPN

Caleb Elizondo

Zoe May

Managing Editor @CalebElizondo7

Editor-in-Chief @MayZoella

LSU? More like LSPoo.

Who names a tiger Mike?

ZOE

Luke White

Hunter Mitchell

Asst. Sports Editor @HunterM1001

Sports Editor @Lukewhite03

CALEB

Thinking with my head, not my heart. Prediction record: 7-4

Kylie Stoner

6-3-2

Prediction record:

Prediction record: 6-5

LUKE

I don’t think at all. Prediction record:

Ryan Lindner

HUNTER

Opinion Editor @RyanLindner12

Asst. Sports Editor @Sportsbystoner

KYLIE

Thinking with my heart, not my head.

LS-ew. Prediction record:

Prediction record: 8-3

8-3

7-4

RYAN Nico Gutteridge

Ana Renfroe

Asst. News Editor @nico_gjc

ANA

News Editor @aeoenia

Voting this for my future wife, Livvy Dunne.

Why do the French need so many letters to say “O?” Prediction record: 8-3

NICO

Prediction record:

KYLE

Megan Williams

Kyle Heise

Asst. Photo Chief @Kyleheisephoto

Design Editor @meg_atx422

MEGAN

Kyle is my father, call me Mr. Field. Prediction record: 7-4

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7-4

Louisiana isn’t even a state. Prediction record:

7-4

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.21.23

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR FOOTBALL WEEK 13

By Hunter Mitchell @HunterM1001

Georgia 47 1362 11-0

–

Ohio State 2 1288 11-0

 1

No. 8 Alabama @ Auburn

No. 1 Georgia @ Georgia Tech

Saturday, Nov. 25 — 2:30 p.m. on CBS Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama

Saturday, Nov. 25 — 6:30 p.m. on ABC Bobby Dodd Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia

This Iron Bowl would have been a lot more enticing had Auburn not just been thrashed by the New Mexico State Aggies, a team the Tigers paid $1.8 million to play. Alabama currently sits at No. 8 in the CFB Playoff rankings and has a legitimate shot at returning to the playoffs if the cards fall its way. Sophomore quarterback Jalen Milroe has stepped up after a rough start to the season and looks set to be the next Crim-

son Tide breadwinner at the QB position. Even Auburn coach Hugh Freeze doesn’t feel like his team is ready to play this weekend. “Most everyone I’ve seen is in a fog from what happened Saturday,” Freeze said. “We need to snap out of that fast.” Yikes. Makes it four-in-a-row for Alabama, as even though this game is on the Plains, Auburn is out-everything-ed in this matchup. Prediction: Alabama 41, Auburn 13

Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate. 2018. Led by junior QB Haynes Recently, the only thing Geor- Kings, Georgia Tech has mangia Tech must hate is how badly aged to secure six wins in the Georgia beats them every year. ACC. For half a decade, the Yellow That magic will fast quickly Jackets have not stood a chance against the Bulldogs. Georgia is against the Bulldogs, with their unlike any opponent Georgia closest loss coming last season. Tech has faced this season, and That’s if 23 points can ever be while it may be on the road, considered close. plenty of red and black will fill Georgia Tech coach Brent Bobby Dodd Stadium and that Key has done wonders in At- winning streak will grow to six. lanta, sending the Yellow Jackets bowling for the first time since Prediction: Georgia 45, Georgia Tech 20

Michigan 5 1282 11-0  1

Washington 1 1209

11-0



Florida State 1147 11-0

 1

Oregon 1098 10-1

–

Texas 1041 10-1

–

Alabama 1027 10-1

–

No. 12 Ole Miss @ Mississippi State

Kentucky @ No. 10 Louisville

Saturday, Nov. 25 — 6:30 p.m. on ESPN Davis Wade Stadium — Starkville, Mississippi

Saturday, Nov. 25 — 11 a.m. on ABC L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium — Louisville, Kentucky

With leg-hiking hijinx, Rodgers’ numbers have taken a missed extra points and contro- major step down this season, and versial calls, the Egg Bowl has coach Zach Arnett has already recently been one of the most been fired after just one season. exciting rivalries in the SEC. This game says more about Unfortunately, that won’t be Mississippi State’s ineptitude the case this season. than it does about Ole Miss’ While coach Mike Leach and team as a whole. The Rebels are his air-raid offense were able a better team with a better QB to pull off miraculous upsets in junior Jaxson Dart and will seemingly at will, the Bulldogs’ dissect a poor Bulldogs team. offense has been mundane at best this season. Senior QB Will Prediction: Ole Miss 55, Mississippi State 23

In the battle for the Governor’s Cup, the Wildcats have dominated the last four matchups. Despite this Louisville has slowly gotten closer and closer to upending Kentucky, and this is the year they finally do it. Kentucky, after picking up senior QB Devin Leary in the offseason, seemed poised to possibly contend for the SEC East but has severely underperformed.

The Cardinals on the other hand have overperformed, as they were picked to finish eighth in the ACC Preseason Poll and are now a lock for the ACC title game. Kentucky on the road against a top-10 team is a hard sell, and coming off of a loss to another SEC East bottom dweller in South Carolina, it wouldn’t be smart to bet on blue.

Louisville 884 10-1

–

Missouri 851 9-2  1

Penn State 782 9-2

 1

Ole Miss 747

9-2  1

Prediction: Louisville 38, Kentucky 21

LSU 677 8-3 

14 No. 5 Florida State @ Florida

Clemson @ South Carolina

Saturday, Nov. 25 — 6 p.m. on ESPN Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — Gainesville, Florida

Saturday, Nov. 25 — 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, South Carolina

A week ago, this game would was then No. 4 in the CFB Playhave been one that had a chance off rankings, what’s even worse is of being close early, with the that they will have to play their Seminoles pulling away in the rivals, the Florida Gators, on the second half. Now, the game has road with a backup QB in junior changed. Tate Rodemaker. In a cupcake game against It’s a tough break for the Northern Alabama, senior QB Seminoles, and there’s just too and Heisman contender Jor- much stacked against them to dan Travis was attempting to succeed. A night game on the get down on a scramble when road against your in-state rival he was hit by a Lions’ defender, with a backup who has had one turning his leg 90 degrees and week to prepare is rough. Floriending Travis’ college career for da hasn’t been great this season, good. but they take advantage of FlorWhile devastating news for ida State’s weaknesses. Seminoles’ fans, as Florida State Prediction: Florida 31, Florida State 27

The 2022 Palmetto Bowl was While on paper this one a shocker to many, as the Game- seems cut and dry in Clemcocks went on the road and up- son’s favor, rivalry games can get set No. 8 Clemson. weird. Will the Tigers want to The stakes are a lot lower for finish with an 8-4 record and a the Tigers this season as they’ve rivalry win to save face, or will sputtered to a 7-4 record, but the Gamecocks come in with have won their last three in the desire to at least play one a row, including ranked wins more game this season? against Notre Dame and UNC. This game will be closer than The Gamecocks were picked many may think, but South Carto finish third in the SEC East, olina will ride the sandstorm to but have lived up to none of the its second-straight victory over expectations and need to win Clemson. this game to reach a bowl game. Prediction: South Carolina 30, Clemson 27

Players to watch: LSU

By Matthew Seaver @Matthew_Seaver

After the first win in the post-Jimbo Fisher era, the Texas A&M Aggies now face one of their most heated SEC rivals, the No. 14 LSU Tigers. Here are the players to watch when A&M goes to the Bayou to take on LSU at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 11 a.m. Ainias Smith, A&M wide receiver In what might be SubZero’s final game in Maroon and White, he surely will be looking to leave his mark in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Smith not only leads the Aggies in total receptions, but also receiving yards, receptions per game and yards per reception. While he has yet to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft and has one year of remaining eligibility, many are assuming this is Smith’s last season as an Aggie. Smith said he is also unsure if he will compete in A&M’s bowl game this postseason. Smith has been the only constant threat in the Aggies’ offense through

an injury-riddled season for the Fightin’ Farmers. If A&M wants to walk through Bourbon Street with a victory to boast, finding Smith early and often will be vital. SubZero needs to run rampant to end the Tigers’ season on a sour note. Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback Daniels is second in Heisman odds according to BetMGM. At +140, he sits just behind No. 6 Oregon’s senior quarterback Bo Nix, who’s the front runner at +110. Daniels is making quite the case for himself, though, as he leads an underperforming LSU squad in both passing and rushing yards. With 36 touchdowns this season, Daniels has been lighting up opposing teams’ defenses. If he wants to do the same to the Wrecking Crew, he will need to make sure to stay poised and avoid A&M’s consistent pass rush. Daniels is not only looking to show out for Heisman voters but also NFL scouts. This big-time game could silence all the doubters and it would also give Daniels his final win

in becoming an SEC West grandslam champion, as the Aggies are the only divisional opponent he has yet to defeat while repping the Purple and Gold. Edgerrin Cooper, A&M linebacker The junior linebacker has captained this year’s formidable defense. He leads the Fightin’ Farmers’ defense in 75 total tackles, seven sacks and is tied for a team-high two fumbles. Cooper has been all over the field for the Maroon and White’s defense, making defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin’s job much easier. This LSU offense will be a test for him as the Tigers have been putting even the most resilient defenses in torture chambers this season. A good game from Cooper will certainly increase the likelihood of a win for the visiting Aggies. If he can maintain his solid tackle numbers and add to his sack total, the defense might be able to repeat last season’s success when they defeated the then-No. 6 Tigers, 38-23.

Harold Perkins Jr, LSU linebacker The Cypress native and one-time A&M commit is having quite the sophomore campaign despite an underwhelming LSU defense. The Tigers usually boast quite the stingy and physical defense, but this year has been less than ideal for the Bayou Bengals. Perkins leads the Tigers in sacks with five and has had great success rushing the passer this year. He also holds 61 total tackles and a teamhigh three forced fumbles to his name. Perkins has been feasting all season and now has his eyes set on a reinvigorated Aggie offense led by sophomore quarterback Jaylen Henderson. If the Aggies let Perkins wreak havoc, it is hard to imagine they can have much success on offense. The Fightin’ Farmers will live to regret not making Perkins an offensive focus when they come into Tiger Stadium, as he holds the key to making LSU’s defense one to remember.

Oklahoma 655 9-2

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Oregon State 575 8-3  5

Arizona 562 8-3



Notre Dame 446 8-3  3

Tulane 397

10-1

–

Iowa 355 9-2



Kansas State 353 8-3  3

Liberty 240 11-0 

22 23

Oklahoma State

223 8-3 NR

Tennessee 195 7-4  2

Utah 192 7-4  8

James Madison 81 10-1  8

The SMP represents the top 25 teams in college football as voted weekly by student journalists across the nation New entrants: Oklahoma State (22) Dropped out: North Carolina (22) Receiving votes: North Carolina State (64), Toledo (61), North Carolina (56), SMU (55), Clemson (46), UCLA (27), UNLV (25), Kansas (24), Duke (5), New Mexico State (5), Troy (2), Miami (OH) (2), UTSA (1)

Student Media Poll is sponsored by Indiana University Student Media