The Battalion — November 30, 2023 by The Battalion

‘Decade of Excellence’ Interim President Welsh unveils vision in first State of the University address By Ana Renfroe @aeoenia Texas A&M looks to enter its “Decade of Excellence” after Interim President Mark A. Welsh III shared the university’s new vision and its strategic plan. On Wednesday, Nov. 28, Welsh III delivered his first State of the University address at Rudder Theatre. Welsh delivered his presentation to students, faculty and community members. Unlike past addresses, Welsh opted not to speak behind a podium to connect more with attendees, he said afterward. Between now and 2025, Welsh said A&M aims to act on six priorities: transforming education and student success, improving graduate and professional student education, research, growing faculty, becoming a “best place” to live, work and learn, along with engaging Texas and beyond. Beyond 2025, Welsh’s vision for 2030 is built upon uniting A&M’s community to change the state, nation and world through transformational education, along with encouraging discovery and innovation. “The most important thing about this [vision] and that road, the only real requirement to be successful is that we walked down this road together,” Welsh said. “We have a map already.” In January, A&M will begin two studies on students’ experience and campus capacity, which will identify issues that affect students and faculty. Both studies will be due by the end of June 2024. Welsh said A&M’s biggest priority is to establish the “right size” of faculty and staff to meet students’ needs, along with creating a target student enrollment. A&M has expanded rapidly in recent years, and College Station’s campus has over 77,490 students enrolled, which is the largest population in the nation. Since stepping into his role in July, Welsh has met with students and faculty to hear concerns for specific areas of university improvement. In October, Welsh reviewed recommendations from Aggies and a separate task force, then presented his final decisions to push A&M forward despite several nationally-publicized controversies in the summer following the failed hiring of prospective journalism director Kathleen McElroy, Ph.D. Welsh said the university hopes to re-enter the national conversation for positive reasons, and A&M will further invest in its strengths to offer a No. 1 education and student experience. In recent rankings, A&M was named the No. 1 public university in Texas and No. 6 in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal. Rankings from the U.S. News and World Report name A&M as the 20th best public university in the nation. “You can kick the door down to get into the top 20,” Welsh said. “It’s hard to ignore 77,500 students and a billion dollars in research expenditures. It’s just hard to ignore that. But [the difference] from 20 to one is mostly reputational.” Due to a lack of transparency during the summer, Welsh said many people didn’t understand what was happening or why. The controversies created major concerns about how to improve A&M’s diminished reputation and communication in a way that aligns with A&M’s Core Values, Welsh said. “It felt divided just about everywhere I went on campus, but there was this underWELSH ON PG. A3

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ELKO’S HOMECOMING

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko points to the Aggie Band while speaking to media, fans and faculty in Kyle Field on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

Former defensive coach returns, embraces hard work in Aggieland reception By Luke White @Lukewhite03 Mike Elko understands that building a championship-caliber football program is easier said than done. But that’s not fazing Texas A&M’s newest coach, who received a warm welcome back to Aggieland with an introduction ceremony in Kyle Field’s Ford Hall of Champions on Monday, Nov. 27. The event featured plenty of pomp and circumstance, with the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, Reveille X and the Yell Leaders in attendance. “My vision for this program is very simple,” Elko said alongside Interim President Mark A. Welsh III and Athletic Director Ross Bjork. “We are going to build the premier football program in the country. We are not going to talk about it anymore. We are going to be about it. We are going to chase excellence in every aspect of our life.” Elko makes his way back to College Station after serving as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 under coach Jimbo Fisher. Defense was a staple of the teams that went 34-14 in that time, including the 2021 squad that had the nation’s No. 3 scoring defense. Elko’s success as an assistant coach made him a hot commodity for a head coaching role, leading him to take over the Duke program in 2022. The Blue Devils went 16-9 under his watch, as Elko engineered a major program turnaround that earned him 2022 ACC Coach of the Year honors. By many accounts, one could argue that Elko overachieved at Duke, a school that has long been more recognized for its basketball and academic prowess than success on the gridiron. He won’t have to overachieve at A&M, though, a program that has all the resources in place to compete for conference and national titles. “The best version of Texas A&M football, our way, wins the national championship,” Elko said. “But we also embrace who we are

right now and where we need to work and where we need to improve to get where we want to go.” Based on Elko’s contract, it’s evident that Bjork and the university administration have similar faith in him to take the Aggies to the top of the college football scene. His six-year contract features a base salary of $7 million with a range of postseason incentives, from making the College Football Playoff to winning the National Championship. Should A&M win the title, Elko is set to receive an additional $3.5 million. Other incentives include being named SEC Coach of the Year for $50,000 and appearing in the SEC Championship for $100,000. Making the Playoff will add an additional year to the

“We are not going to talk about it anymore. We are going to be about it.” MIKE ELKO

people. Are we willing to do the things that we need to do when no one is looking so that we can have the results that we want come the fall?” Elko’s hiring is unique, as he becomes A&M’s first head coach with a defensive background since 2002 when R.C. Slocum was fired after 14 seasons. The Aggies have cycled through four head coaches since, yet Slocum’s 1998 Big 12 championship remains the program’s last conference title. Therefore, it was only fitting that Slocum, the school’s all-time winningest coach, was in attendance at Monday’s ceremony to greet Elko. The duo shares a similar coaching philosophy, as Slocum’s “Wrecking Crew” defenses overwhelmed opponents for four conference championships over eight seasons. “I think if you look around at what has won national championships recently, I think there’s a couple things that stand out,” Elko said. “One, there’s a toughness that’s built within the program that obviously has to do with defense. I think every one of those teams at some point in the season has had to dig deep on defense and find a way to win a really important game. But, I think all of those teams have also been explosive on offense with really talented quarterback play. I think every single one of those teams has won a game, 38-35, 41-38.” Bjork thanked Slocum for his assistance and insight during the coaching search while saying he spoke with at least 25 former A&M players as well, including the likes of linebacker Dat Nguyen, defensive back Ray Mickens and 2012 Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel. “They see the opportunity,” Bjork said. “They want to win championships. They want a tough-minded program … They want a program that they can say, ‘This is what Aggie football is, an identity.’ They want a program that develops players each year. They want a program they can be proud of when they have that Aggie Ring and a program that embraces the Aggie traditions.” Manziel, who led A&M to a 11-2 campaign in 2012 , had a more descriptive vision for the program. “Johnny Manziel is the one that said we need to be an intimidating bully,” Bjork said. “He actually had another adjective, but I can’t say that.”

Texas A&M Head Football Coach contract as well. “I think with the CFP [College Football Playoff] expanding to 12 teams and, again, given where we are, given our resources, given the commitment to football, that if we have the right coach and the right plan, that we should be in the hunt every year for those playoff spots,” Bjork said. “If you hire the right person and they believe in themselves and you have the resources like we have here, that contract should be what it’s all about.” The Aggies’ new coach recognized that such success doesn’t come without hard work and dedication, which is a year-round commitment. Fantasizing about winning championships and actually doing it are two very different things. “We can’t just say we want to be something,” Elko said. “We can’t just say we want to arrive somewhere. We’ve got to be committed to all the work that it’s going to take from today until we kick off next September of doing that … It’s easy to take pride in making big plays on Saturday in front of 110,000

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NEWS The Battalion | 11.30.23

“On the student side, the impact of the number of years of pretty rapid growth was starting to affect them in a way that they felt.” MARK A. WELSH III Interim President of Texas A&M

Chris Swann -- THE BATTALION

Interim President Mark A. Welsh III delivers remarks at the State of the University address, sharing the university’s new strategy and vision in Rudder Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

WELSH CONTINUED FROM A1 lying desire to get back on track,” Welsh said. “You could feel it, people expressed it, you could see it when they came into the conversation. They just wanted to get back to being who we know we can be — and should be — and really who we are every day. It just wasn’t what was happening at that point in time.” Welsh said there were concerns regarding a lack of academic freedom and shared governance, which led to the disruption of department programs and systems, such as the university libraries having their funding cut. Welsh said there was widespread confusion in many areas about administrative operations and how funding was being prioritized under an unclear hybrid model. “There weren’t consistent funding schemes for [project proposals],” Welsh said. “There was no real prioritization scheme across the university as to which one should come first

when we had to compete for resources.” Welsh said the previous budget model didn’t quite feel right, and it had begun to impact students due to stretched budgets. “On the student side, the impact of the number of years of pretty rapid growth was starting to affect them in a way that they felt,” Welsh said. “They were concerned about the student experience changing in a way that was not good for Texas A&M, or for them individually, and they were pretty vocal about it, as were many of their parents.” Despite being interim president for only four months, Welsh said things on campus have changed since the summer. Since then, Welsh said A&M has acknowledged its reputational damage and recommitted itself to establishing clear communication across all areas of campus. He said A&M has removed 12 of 22 vice president titles because too many positions overcomplicated who was responsible. “The problem with too many vice president titles is it makes communication harder,

because who do you go to … and who is actually accountable and responsible for issues for events for areas of focus … it was just complicated,” Welsh said. “We’ve tried to streamline that and that helps communication.” The provost of Academic Affairs has been designated as the No. 2 in charge, so there is a clearer chain of authority, Welsh said. Welsh also said he has worked closely with the faculty senate to protect academic freedom, created plans of action from feedback provided to the Quick Look assessment and returned more funding to university libraries. A&M is also changing to an incremental baseline budget model. Welsh said it will use previous years’ budgets as a starting point until the recently-formed Strategic Budget Council decides there is a need to change it. Welsh said A&M is a public university, but it also runs like a large business due to its annual $2.56 billion budget. “Everybody is competing against everybody else for every dollar … [the university

is] all competing with itself,” Welsh said. The council will hear office leader presentations annually that highlight proposals for new programs, implementing initiatives and hiring faculty or staff. The most important efforts will be prioritized for allocating additional funds. Similarly, under A&M’s Philanthropy Council, Welsh said A&M hopes to partner more with philanthropic organizations, such affiliate groups like the Texas A&M Foundation, The Association of Former Students, 12th Man Foundation, Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association and George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Welsh said university partners actively serve Aggies and need to be involved in the discussion. Concluding his speech, Welsh said his vision cannot be achieved by himself. “I’m ready to get to work,” Welsh said. “I hope you join me.”

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OPINION

The Battalion | 11.30.23

Best study spots for finals The Battalion’s Opinion Desk pitches best places for last-minute cram sessions Tis’ the season in which students begin to regret skipping over all those easy assignments and playing hooky since the second week of class. Listen up, Ags. It’s time to stop procrastinating and start cramming as much information as your over-caffeinated, over-stimulated brain can handle. In the spirit of the season, we here at The Battalion’s opinion section have compiled a list of the best study spots on campus. Happy memorizing!

Charis Adkins @Charis_Batt via the Bush School of Government and Public Service

I’ve got three words for you: The Interrogation Chamber. With the soundproof walls and triple-bolted door, it’s the perfect study spot. Plus, it’s pretty secluded, hidden as it is deep in the underbelly of Schuhmacher Residence Hall behind that fake wall panel. I go there all the time, especially around finals. I would go more often but someone mysteriously called ‘‘university official’’ always has the room reserved for their various “appointments.” If you can get a reservation, I’d highly recommend it — I’ve written some of my best papers between those padded walls.

Ryan Lindner @RyanLindner12 This one is for all my fellow political science majors — the Bush School. More specifically though, the outside patio area that overlooks the Barbara Bush Rose Garden and Presidential Pond. This little-known spot is rarely busy and is a great place to study if you’re looking for a good view, fresh air and an aesthetic that’s not as depressing as hiding out in Evans Library all day.

D TE

C A D E

Ben Barnes @Ben_Batt24 Look, there are many unadvertised spots that are not conventionally used for studying around campus such as the third floor of the main Rec Center by the squash courts or that horticulture skyrise room that is supposedly off-limits to students by Heldenfelds. However, if you really want to know where you can ‘legally’ have a productive study-sesh, try the first floor of the Annex. Everyone is so quick to run to the elevators when they first walk in, but if you march straight to where the desktop computers are that nobody uses, you’ll thank me later.

Isabella Garcia @Isa_TheBatt

Via Wikicommons

Ah, to study alone or not to study alone. Seeing as I am an absolute academic weapon, nobody is more competent than myself when it comes to learning the required content, and as such, group studying is a no-go. Instead, I frequent the cozy-with-a-touchof-funk Sweet Eugene’s coffee shop on George Bush Drive. and never fail to channel my inner Dostoevsky. However, the best way to truly learn a concept is to teach it to someone else, and nowhere provides more hopelessly confused students than Evans. It usually takes less than five minutes before someone sees my white board and asks me to explain my genius.

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The Battalion | 11.30.23

Aggies react: Jimbo out, Elko in

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Current students share opinions, expectations for future of Aggie football program By John Chapa @JDChapaBatt Texas A&M officially hired Mike Elko on Monday, Nov. 27, to fill the head football coach position after firing Jimbo Fisher. Current students shared their opinions on the Fisher firing, Elko hiring and the future of Aggie football. A&M decided to part ways with Fisher following a discussion between A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork and Interim President Mark A. Welsh III. Civil engineering senior Ben Walford said he was originally shocked hearing the news but thought it was the right decision. “I was a little bit surprised, but I understood and hoped that there was a plan moving forward and that the football team could get back on track,” Walford said. On the contrary, sport management senior Austin Hebert said he had a feeling before the season started that A&M would replace Fisher. “Since August, I had been saying to my friends and family that if Jimbo doesn’t work out, I want him out and I want Mike Elko back,” Hebert said. “Sure enough, we settled on Mike Elko. I think it’s the perfect decision.” During his time as Duke football coach, Elko turned the Blue Devils around. In 2022, he earned the ACC coach of the year award after a 9-4 season following an antithetical 3-9 season in 2021. The ACC is not the SEC, however, and biomedical science senior

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Fans wave their towels during a game vs. New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

Anna Schneider said Elko has fierce competition ahead of him. “He’ll have to work very hard to learn the dynamic of a new team and get to know his players, but also have the immense pressure to do it fast before the [University of Texas] game with huge expectations from us,” Schneider said. Since joining the SEC, the Aggies have won 10 or more games in only one season. The Aggies open next season against Notre Dame and will finish the season with its

reinstated rivalry game against UT. With a challenging season opener, season finale and conference slate, next year’s schedule will be Elko’s first test as head coach, Walford said. “He definitely has a very tough year ahead of him, just with it being his first year and the way the season is coming together,” Walford said. “I’m not sure how our record will end up, but I’m hoping for a good season nonetheless.” The challenging schedule adds on to the lofty expectations for Elko. In the Nov. 28

press conference, Bjork said A&M should be in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot each season. In the same press conference, Elko said A&M has the resources to be a championship program, and he will develop the program’s staff in the coming weeks. This will be Elko’s key to success, Hebert said. “Coaching staff is going to be a big factor,” Hebert said. “If I could pick the most important one, it would be the offensive line coach because our offensive line has been miserable for the last two or three years. Recruiting, coaching and developing those players is going to be key, especially next year.” With the talent A&M has and the improvements Elko should make to the program, Hebert said the Aggies have the potential to win a double-digit number of games in the regular season. “Assuming that we’re going to drop two [games] somewhere in the season, I’d be happy if we went in 4-1 under a new head coach to start next year,” Hebert said. “That’s with improvement moving on, the talent that we can bring in and the talent that we have. I think our ceiling is probably 10-2, but there’s really no telling what’s going to happen in the next couple of months.” Unfortunately, A&M won’t retain as much talent as the program hoped, as quarterback Max Johnson has left the team and committed to the University of North Carolina. Additionally, as of Nov. 28, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has officially left for a position at Arkansas. Elko will retain former interim coach Elijah Robinson, but who else may the Aggies lose on the field and on the sideline? There are high hopes for the Aggies to become the esteemed-bowl contending team they were in years past. The firing of Fisher is the end of an era, but the start of a new, uncertain world: Elko’s World.

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SPORTS

A Thanksgiving trip to Death Valley

A new chapter for A&M coaching

Photos from Aggie football’s last regular season match against LSU on the road

Assistant offense coaches part ways with Texas A&M football program following new hire

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‘Hoos your daddy now? A&M basketball falls 59-47 to the Virginia Cavaliers on the road By Hunter Mitchell @HunterM1001 Texas A&M men’s basketball failed to help out its conference in the ACC-SEC Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 29, as the Aggies fell to Virginia on the road, 59-47. The Maroon and White shot a measly 30% from the field en route to the loss. This game will be one the Aggies look back at in March as an opportunity lost when the NCAA Tournament selection committee decides its seeds. There are still plenty of games in the conference along with non-conference games against Memphis and No. 6 Houston where the Aggies can improve their resume. However, no win is guaranteed, and taking advantage of games like this are important for the Aggies to avoid tougher opponents come time for The Big Dance. The Aggies need their ‘Boots’ back There is no question the Maroon and White are feeling the absence of graduate guard Tyrece ‘Boots’ Radford. Radford has been missing from the Aggies lineup since the second half of the Florida Atlantic game on Nov. 24 due to an illness, in which coach Buzz Williams said Radford had trouble breathing after halftime. Since then, A&M failed to defeat the Owls, despite 35 points from junior G Wade Taylor IV, and had to pull off a 21-point comeback to defeat Iowa State. Against the Cavaliers, the guard play as a whole was disappointing. Taylor shot 2-for-10 from the field, senior G Hayden Hefner shot 1-for-9 and Boots’ replacement in the starting lineup, junior G Jace Carter, scored just 7 points. A&M is severely missing Rad-

ford’s 13 points per game and veteran presence on the court, especially when they are faced with road atmospheres like Virginia. Henry Coleman picked up where he left off The double-double machine, senior forward Henry Coleman, is on fire to start the season. Coming into the contest, Coleman was averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. In front of his parents in his home state, Coleman racked up a double-double for the fourth time this season, scoring 16 points while also pulling down 14 rebounds. Coleman was forced to exit the FAU game early on with an apparent lower leg injury, forcing him to miss the following game against the Cyclones. However, Coleman was back in the starting lineup against Virginia and was the lone bright spot of the game. The Richmond, Virginia native did everything he could to help his team pick up a victory but fell short, as the rest of the team was 11-of-42 from the field. If A&M hopes to win against tough competition on the road, they are going to have to give Coleman some help. The 3-point shooting is still poor Before Wednesday’s contest, the Aggies were ranked No. 298 in the nation in 3-point percentage, shooting 28.76% behind the arch. A&M shot well below that average against the Cavaliers, making just 4 of its 23 attempts. It’s known that A&M plays a style of defense that allows its opponents good looks from 3. Unfortunately for the Aggies, they are nowhere near to matching the success of their opponents from behind the arch. Virginia made 9 of its 25 attempts, which played a large part in the Cavaliers’ victory. A&M does not need to change its defensive style, they need to start making 3-point shots more consistently. If the Aggies fail to improve from behind the arch, they will have trouble winning games against teams like Kentucky and Alabama, who rank No. 5 and No. 12 in 3-point percentage in the nation, respectively. It won’t get easier to match its opponents 3-point percentage in the Aggies next contest either, as they host DePaul on Dec. 6, who is shooting 36.21% from behind the arch. Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Junior G Manny Obaseki (35) walks to the bench after Texas A&M’s loss against FAU at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Florida on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 T-17 T-17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Purdue 49 1440

 2

Arizona 4 1332

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Marquette 1294

 2

UConn 3 1291

 2

Kansas 2 1201

 4

Houston 1163

– Duke 1078

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Miami (FL) 955  4

Baylor 940

 8

Gonzaga 898

– Tennessee 766

 2

Kentucky 717 

Florida Atlantic 631

 2

Villanova 574

 7

Texas A&M 564

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North Carolina 541

 3

Creighton 541

 10

Texas 516

 2

Colorado State 319

NR BYU 298

NR Alabama 274

 1

Mississippi State 269

NR James Madison 221

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Illinois 163

 1

Oklahoma 140

The SMP represents the top 25 teams in college football as voted weekly by student journalists across the nation New entrants: Colorado State (19), BYU (20), Oklahoma (25) Dropped out: Arkansas (13), Michigan State (14), San Diego State (24) Receiving votes: Michigan State (93), Ohio State (84), Arkansas (82), Colorado (71), Virginia (51), Auburn (50), San Diego State (47), USC (26), Florida (26), TCU (24), Clemson (23), UCLA (21), Princeton (12), Nebraska (3), Wisconsin (3), Saint Mary’s (3), Nevada (3), Cincinnati (3), St. John’s (2), Iowa State (2), Texas Tech (2), Florida State (1), South Carolina (1), Bradley (1)

Student Media Poll is sponsored by Indiana University Student Media

SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.30.23

AROUND THE COUNTRY

A LOOK AT CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

By Ian Curtis, Braxton Dore, Justin Chen and Cade Harris @Texiancurtis, @braxtond1088, @chen_justin_ , @cadeharris_

Boise State vs UNLV Saturday, Dec. 2 — 12 p.m. on Fox Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas After San Jose State’s upset of UNLV forced a three-way logjam on top of the Mountain West standings between the Trojans, Rebels and Boise State, the conference was forced to resort to computer rankings to determine the teams vying for the conference championship on Saturday, Dec. 2. An anxious night for many fans ended on Sunday morning when the conference announced the computer formulas had named UNLV hosts of the game and Boise State as the challenger looking to send the Rebels packing. There’s not much to separate these two teams statistically. Both rank second and third in total offense, and are fairly balanced between

the run and the pass. But the Broncos have the worst passing defense in the conference, and UNLV has junior wide receiver Ricky White, whose 1,300 receiving yards led the Mountain West and currently rank sixth in the country. But more than that, UNLV is experiencing its best year on the gridiron since the Reagan administration, while Boise State is still looking for a coach who can lead them back to their glory days — and the emotion will be the difference. Prediction: UNLV 31, Boise State 28

No. 5 Oregon vs No. 3 Washington Friday, Dec. 1 — 7 p.m. on ABC Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas The final weeks of Conference play in the Pac-12 finished as many analysts predicted, with Washington remaining undefeated facing a hungry Oregon team on a six-game winning streak after its one loss to the Huskies in Week 6. The Ducks’ sole loss to Washington ended after Oregon senior kicker Camden Lewis missed a game-tying field goal in the final drive, which would have pushed the game into overtime. Both starting quarterbacks of the high-powered offenses are finalists for the Heisman honors, with Oregon senior Bo Nix leading most of the predictions. In contrast, Washington senior Michael Penix Jr. has fallen to third in the

rankings after LSU senior quarterback Jayden Daniels went off for four touchdown passes last week against Texas A&M. This week could be Nix’s last opportunity to prove to the voters that he is the top candidate for the honor, but Penix can still steal the spotlight with a dominant performance in Las Vegas against the Ducks. The quarterback has proven himself more than capable of pulling off wins against APTop 25 teams, with four wins against topranked opponents this season. Penix has also now led the Huskies to an undefeated season for the first time since 1991. Prediction:Washington 41, Oregon 38

No. 20 Oklahoma State vs No. 7 Texas

No. 1 Georgia vs No. 8 Alabama

Saturday, Dec. 2 — 11 a.m. on ABC AT&T Stadium — Arlington

Saturday, Dec. 2 — 3 p.m. on CBS Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta

After Texas’ beatdown of Texas Tech on Nov. 24, it’s safe to say that not everything runs through Lubbock and on Dec. 2, Texas’ last Big 12 game will feature Oklahoma State. In its last season before moving to the topheavy Southeastern Conference, the Longhorns have made a memorable impression with the best season record since the Colt McCoy-led 2009 team. Hoping to make it into the playoffs, Texas has a case with the team being so well-rounded. Offensively, though sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers hasn’t been the star-studded player he was in high school, he’s been doing more than enough to help Texas to its 11-1 record. Though they lost Bijan Robinson, soph-

omore running back Jonathon Brooks has stepped up comfortably with multiple 100plus rushing yard games. Junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy continues to be a safe target for Ewers, hauling in 67 receptions for 883 yards. While the Longhorns are riding a hot streak, the same can’t be said for the Cowboys. They’ve had meaningful statement wins over Kansas State, Kansas and Oklahoma but dropped the ball against smaller teams in South Alabama and UCF. Overall, all the odds will be in the Longhorns’ favor in their last game in the Big 12 and if everything goes right, they’ll also have a good argument for making the playoffs. Prediction:Texas 42, Oklahoma State 21

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In the final SEC game on CBS, fans are treated to a championship game featuring two teams who consistently find themselves in Atlanta at the end of the season. The last time neither Alabama or Georgia made it to the SEC championship game was 2013, and for the fourth time in that span they will find themselves against each other. The stakes are highest in this one with both sides continuing to fight for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The SEC champion has never been left out of a four-team playoff and that is likely to be the case this week as well. Alabama kept its hopes alive last week in the Iron Bowl with a game-winning touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal from the 31-yard line,

as junior quarterback Jalen Milroe found sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Bond in the back of the endzone in a play the Tide refers to as ‘gravedigger.’ However, the Tide will have a tougher time staying alive this weekend as they face the twotime national champions who come into the game with the No. 6 offense and the No. 8 defense in the nation. Georgia has fallen in all three SEC Championship games against Alabama since 2013; however, the tide is shifting in the landscape of college football, and the Bulldogs may finally get past Nick Saban in Atlanta. Prediction: Georgia 31, Alabama 28

SPORTS The Battalion | 11.30.23

Out with the old: Elko era begins

A&M’s most prominent offensive assistants won’t return in 2024

category again this season, according to Pro Football Focus. In both years, the Aggies were forced to utilize three different starting quarterbacks due to injuries. It wasn’t just a passing issue — A&M’s rushing offense ranked 89th in the country in yards per game in 2023 and 81st in 2022. Aggie fans zeroed in on Addazio’s offensive line as one of the major reasons behind A&M’s 5-7 and 7-5 records the past two seasons —

By Ian Curtis @Texiancurtis The Mike Elko era has begun at Texas A&M, and the former A&M defensive coordinator is already cleaning house. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, offensive line coach Steve Addazio and wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig will all not be a part of Elko’s staff in 2024.

and widely cited Fisher’s initial hiring and refusal to fire Addazio as another reason why the former coach had to go.

Fisher’s scheme and playbook — the exact scenario A&M fans were hoping hiring a new offensive coordinator would avoid. Petrino’s time in Aggieland will always be a question of “What might have been?” for Aggie fans, especially after A&M outgained No. 13 LSU’s top-ranked offense under interim head coach Elijah Robinson. Next year, Petrino will ride again at Arkansas — the school he was fired from in 2012 following an off-field scandal — as he accepted the offensive coordinator job of the Razorbacks under coach Sam Pittman. He’ll have to brace himself for that role, as Arkansas

Via LSU Athletics

boasted the second-worst offense in the SEC this season. Wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig A quality control coach at Florida State who was one of the staffers to follow Fisher to College Station after he was hired in 2017, Craig would go on to coach wide receivers for five of the six years he spent at A&M. The former pro quarterback is well-recognized for his recruiting ability. Five-star receivers sophomore Evan Stewart, Demond Demas and Chris Marshall all signed with A&M during Craig’s stint with the Aggies. Stewart ranks second on the team in receiving yards this season, while the latter two are no longer with the program. Craig played quarterback under Fisher from 1994-97, when the latter was the quarterback coach at Auburn. Including a previous stint as quarterback coach at Florida State from 2010-12, ten of Craig’s 21-year coaching career were spent on a Fisher-led staff, and according to the same article in The Athletic about Fisher’s time in Aggieland, Craig was one of his staunchest supporters among the coaching staff. Given Craig’s loyalty and close ties to Fisher, it’s not surprising to see Elko elect to go in a different direction with his wide receiver coach. Sometimes, you just need to clear the board and start again.

COMICS Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino Via WikkiCommons/Tommy Gilligan

Offensive line coach Steve Addazio Many Aggie fans will welcome the news of Addazio’s dismissal with cries of “Ding dong! The witch is dead!” After former offensive line coach Josh Henson departed A&M for USC in 2021, the Aggies’ offensive line featured two freshman All-American lineman in Bryce Foster and Reuben Fathertree II and was coming off of a Joe Moore Award finalist honor in 2020. Then, coach Jimbo Fisher tapped Addazio to coach the Aggies’ offensive line, after the latter was fired from a seven-year run as head coach at Boston College and a two-year stint at Colorado State where his combined record was 48-56. The hire didn’t exactly work out as planned. A&M’s offense led the nation in quarterback hits in 2022 and ranked in the top five in that

After A&M’s 5-7 finish last season, public pressure forced Fisher to relinquish play calling duties and hire a new offensive coordinator. Fisher’s solution? Hire another former head coach. This time, Fisher called on former Arkansas, Louisville and Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino who had just taken the UNLV offensive coordinator job a mere three weeks beforehand. Fisher’s willingness to relinquish control of the offense gave the A&M fanbase a reason to have hope after the Aggies’ worst season since 2008. To Petrino’s credit, the A&M offense did show improvement this season. The Aggies averaged just under 404 yards a game, up from 360.9 in 2022. Unfortunately it appears that hope was misplaced. After Fisher was fired before the end of the regular season, information emerged in an article by The Athletic suggesting Petrino was being forced to coach his offense out of Cadet Slouch/@quad.comics

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PHOTOS

The Battalion | 11.30.23

FINISHING THE SEASON Photos by Katelynn Ivy @katelynnivy.photos Through three quarters, Texas A&M held a slim lead and looked like it was on its way to an upset victory over the LSU Tigers. However, the game of football is 60 minutes, and the final 15 belonged to LSU senior quarterback Jayden Daniels. To combat the No. 1 offense in the country, interim head coach Elijah Robinson and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s plan was to deploy an offense that

played keep-away from Daniels with long drives and a go-forit mentality on fourth downs throughout the game. Despite coming out on fire in the first half, the Aggies ultimately struggled in the second half. A small step-up from a 5-7 record the previous year, the Maroon and White will look to prepare for a bowl game Check out frames from A&M’s loss agaisnt LSU.

Junior LB Edgerrin Cooper (45) and Junior DL Fadil Diggs (10) celebrate a tackle during Texas A&M’s game against LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Tiger Stadium.

Junior DL Fadil Diggs (10) tackles LSU RB Josh Williams (27) during Texas A&M’s game against LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Tiger Stadium.

Sophomore DL Walter Nolen (0) mourns Texas A&M’s loss against LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Tiger Stadium.

Sophomore DB Jacoby Mattews (2) and sophomore DB Sam McCall (16) attempt to stop LSU WR Malik Nabers during Texas A&M’s game against LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Tiger Stadium.

Sophomore DL Shemar Stewart (4) grabs LSU QB Jayden Daniels (5) by the jersey during Texas A&M’s game against LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Tiger Stadium. LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at

Graduate WR Ainias Smith (0) runs the ball during Texas A&M’s game against LSU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Tiger Stadium.