The Battalion — November 9, 2023 by The Battalion

‘Give words to the Aggie Spirit’ Speaker nominations for 2024 Muster open up By Nicholas Gutteridge @nico_gjc The nomination form for Muster speakers opened Wednesday, Nov. 8 for the April 21, 2024 Muster ceremony. Society, ethics and law junior Abigail Kerckhoff, whose main role is directing and facilitating the speaker selection process, said Muster serves to honor Aggies who have passed away this past year, and the keynote speaker is an integral part of that process. “It’s said, ‘If there’s an Aggie within 100 miles of you, you’re called to come together,’” Kerckhoff said. Aerospace engineering fifth-year Ryan Odneal serves in the Muster Committee as speaker liaison and said it looks for four goals when choosing a speaker. “The Muster speaker serves to give words to the [Aggie] Spirit in a speech that bridges the gap between current and former students, empathizes with families in both grief and celebration, centers the Aggie family on a common purpose and impels others to live out the Aggie Core Values,” Odneal said. Previous speakers include Tyson Voelkel, the CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation, Mark A. Welsh, the now-president of A&M, and Michael Moseley, a former chief of staff for the U.S. Air Force. The tradition extends back decades, Kerckhoff said, with former speakers also including former-U.S President Dwight D. Eisenhower after World War II. “Our nomination form is available on the Muster website, as well as on our social media [accounts],” Kerckhoff said. Odneal said that during the ceremony, they are not looking to give a lecture on what the Aggie Spirit is — instead, the committee hopes to articulate the feeling in the room on April 21. Muster originated as a field day where students skipped class in the 19th century, Kerchkoff said. From there, she said it transitioned into a MUSTER ON PG. A3

Samuel Falade — THE BATTALION

Cadets walk through campus with crosses during the fall 2022 Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022.

Elephant Walk reflects on 101 years Class of 2024 looks back on its time, final year at A&M By John Chapa @JDChapaBatt The time has come for seniors to partake in one last special moment together. On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the Class of 2024 will reminisce on its Aggie journey with Elephant Walk, a tradition that has lasted over a century at Texas A&M. The class of 1926 conceived the idea, marching in a funeral manner to break the curse of two losses to start the football season their freshman year. Three years later, the now-seniors decided to walk around campus in a line with a hand on the leading person’s shoulder — “like elephants, about to die” — to commemorate their time at A&M and reflect on the memories they have made. Biological & agricultural engineering senior Lucas Trosper serves as the head director of Elephant

Walk as a part of Class Councils, a representative body that strives to enhance class traditions. Trosper said Elephant Walk is a significant part of a senior’s transition from current to former student. “It’s all about bringing together the seniors and giving us an opportunity to reflect on what A&M has been for us, the role it plays in our lives moving forward and the ways we’ve grown here,” Trosper said. “A big piece of it is it’s the last time we’ll be a part of the 12th Man for the football team. The ‘dying’ part is that we’re no longer going to be members of the 12th Man after the last home football game.” Senior Class President Ben Fisher said he encourages the Class of 2024 to take part in the tradition and celebrate how far they’ve come in life and their Aggie story. “The tradition exists to invite all of us seniors to reflect on and remember the incredible experiences, relationships and character that we have grown in over the past several years,” Fisher said. “We want to celebrate those [milestones] and begin to look to the future as we

strive to make an impact in whatever comes next for all of us.” A&M has evolved drastically in the last 100 years, and this evolution has spilled over into the class tradition as well, Trosper said, noting that A&M’s student body is no longer composed solely of the Corps of Cadets. “I think what’s cool about Elephant Walk is, over the years, it’s developed and evolved,” Trosper said. “There’s a lot of different stops [now] because it caters to so many different people, so many different experiences. I don’t think everyone’s Elephant Walk should be the same. We’ve organized an Elephant Walk that, should I believe, caters to almost every single Aggie in terms of what’s being spoken on and the significance of the places we’re visiting.” This year’s Elephant Walk will start at 6:24 p.m. outside Kyle Plaza/Tunnel. Sam Mathews, the 12th Man for the A&M football team, will speak on the spirit of the 12th Man. From there, seniors will walk to Simpson Drill Field and hear from the executive director of the

Leadership Initiative at A&M, Fred McClure, on integrity, an A&M core value. Before heading to the third stop, Academic Plaza, Trosper said he will hand out something for students to carry with them the rest of Elephant Walk. “In between Simpson and Academic Plaza, we’ll be handing out paper and pen,” Trosper said. “I’m going to encourage students to write down the names of the students who they may have known or had a connection to, to carry with them through the rest of the walk. We can honor their memory by carrying them with us … even if it’s just for that night at Elephant Walk. I think it’ll mean a lot to the folks, especially for those who have a personal connection or know some of those students who are no longer with us.” At Academic Plaza, management information systems senior Cole Ragsdale will serve as the third stop’s speaker, touching on the members of the Class of 2024 who aren’t able to walk with the seELEPHANT WALK ON PG. A3

First-gen students celebrated in Aggie Park Routh First-Generation Center connects Aggies with A&M resources, provides support By Ashley Acuna @AshleyMAcuna

Ashely Bautista — THE BATTALION

Senior Aaron Sandoval and sophomore Sebastian Martinez passes out breakfast tacos to students at the First-Generation Celebration Bash on Nov. 7, 2023

Free breakfast tacos, gig’em cookies and complimentary t-shirts shirts were distributed at the Routh First-Generation Center celebration at Aggie Park on Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Routh First-Generation Center, a part of the Office for Student Success, hosted its annual celebration to provide support to students who are the first in their families to attend college or whose parents have not received a bachelor’s degree. The event had games, such as cornhole, spike ball and lawn tic tac toe, with music playing throughout. The focal point of the celebration was the shaded booths hosting resources from different departments, including the Academic Success Center, Math Learning Center, Aggie One Stop, International Student and Scholar

Services and Education Abroad and Resident Life. Director of the Routh First-Generation Center Leticia Palomin, Ph.D., said in her position she provides resources and support to students through their college years. “Twenty one percent of our undergraduate population is first [generation],” Palomin said. “When we talk about future careers, it is [about] connecting them with their Aggie Network [and] expanding faculty relationships across campus.” What drew many students to the event were the freebies that included tacos, chips and salsa, donuts, towels, water bottles, school supplies and t-shirts. Human resource development sophomore Ana Garza said the event matched her expectations, and she is happy to wear clothing to represent being a first-generation student, so others can know there are students like her. “[This event] shows us that we do deserve to be here because a lot of students do have imposter syndrome,” Garza said. “We feel sometimes that we might not be good enough FIRST-GEN ON PG. A3

NEWS

The Battalion | 11.09.23

Graduate students express grievances Roundtable discusses low stipends, lack of maternity leave, opportunities at A&M By Nicholas Gutteridge @nico_gjc In a roundtable discussion hosted by the Graduate and Professional Student Government, or GPSG, representatives from various organizations gathered in the Student Services Building on Nov. 3 to discuss issues they’ve faced while studying at Texas A&M — ranging from low stipends to teaching assistant issues and SB 17 compliance. After an introduction, the GPSG Vice President of Culture and Inclusivity Sambandh Dhal began the agenda with complaints from the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association. Biomedical engineering graduate Claudia Collier took the floor, saying there were worries that students in her department wouldn’t be getting a stipend increase that was discussed among students and staff. Other attendees expressed similar concerns, such as material science & engineering graduate Sophia Ahmed, co-president of Queer Graduate and Professional Aggies and president of the Queer Empowerment Council. “[Stipends are] also inconsistent across the board for different departments,” Ahmed said. “We have a friend in animal science who gets … like $1,700 [a month]. That’s barely liveable.” Collier also said the International Student & Scholar Services, or ISSS, the A&M office that assists international students, can take weeks to respond, even for basic questions. “There’s a lot of students in our department that aren’t really getting the help that they need,” Collier said. Industrial engineering graduate Lorena Mejia, the other Queer Graduate and Professional Aggies co-president, said she’s had a similar experience, and often, there’s only been one individual from ISSS who can answer her questions. Electrical engineering graduate Ankur Kumar, representing the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Student Association, said in lieu of ISSS, some departments, including his, have made folders with information international students need to know, and students should speak with their advisors to create one if it doesn’t exist already. Graduate students aren’t being matched with their expertise when assigned as teaching assistants, Dhal said, and despite one student’s

Nicholas Gutteridge — THE BATTALION

GPSG Vice President of Culture and Inclusivity Sambandh Dhal and GPSG community outreach member Usha Pedireddi speak to attendees on Nov. 3, 2023.

research work, they could be assigned to teach a subject they have no knowledge of. Industrial/organizational psychology graduate Benjamin Schulte, representing the Psychology Department Organization of Graduate Students, said that issue is common in his department — and is worsened because they often get assignments late. “They have to spend a lot of time preparing, creating the syllabi and actually learning the material — which they’re not familiar with — and because we get the assignment so late in the year, it doesn’t give us a lot of time to prepare,” Schulte said. Collier said in one case, a graduate with expertise in circuits was assigned to instruct a lab on cells. In another case, Mejia said a graduate was told on a Wednesday she was instructing a lab that Friday — teaching software she never learned herself. “She had never seen that software,” Mejia said. “She had never done anything on that software, and she had to teach it two days later. She had no idea what she was doing.” Scholarships and opportunities for international students are also rare, according to civil engineering graduate Flavia Patrascu, a representative for the Civil and Environmental Graduate Student Association. Patrascu said after a sudden university bill of around $1,000 in 2022, she tried looking everywhere for ways to fill the hole in her budget. However, she said she was told the scholarships in her department come from private donors and are meant exclusively for U.S.

citizens and permanent residents. Patrascu also said bus timing for off-campus routes is inconsistent, affecting graduate students who rely solely on buses for transportation. GPSG Respect Chair James Le, a former employee at the transportation services, said there aren’t enough student drivers, the training period is long and there aren’t enough mechanics to fix the existing buses. The new bus application also disrupts not only graduate students — but all of A&M, according to computer engineering graduate Souryendu Das, an Indian Graduate Student Association representative, as its design is confusing to those unfamiliar with certain routes. More clarity is also needed in the insurance process for international graduates, Patrascu said, as they often aren’t covered when they start working. “Starting to have insurance from day one, whenever you do the onboarding, that would be great,” Patrascu said. “ … If you start working, you should be covered.” Graduates sometimes have to pay hundreds of dollars for insurance out of their own pocket, Patrascu said. Dhal spoke for the Computer Science Graduate Student Association, which wasn’t able to attend the meeting, saying a stipend and leave of absence for pregnant students in the department makes sense because much of the work in the department can be done from home. “Our university doesn’t allow that — UT Austin does allow it — but [A&M] doesn’t

allow [it],” Dhal said. Kumar said it’s because graduate students aren’t treated as employees, despite the work they do on campus. “There’s a distinction of, ‘You are a student, but you are being paid. But you are not [an A&M] employee’ …,” Kumar said. “ … There’s no clarity. If you go and ask this, even to your payroll department, they’ll say, ‘Oh, it’s because you’re not [an A&M] employee, per se,’ so I just don’t understand what that means. We do everything which an employee does.” Plant breeding graduate and GPSG community outreach member Usha Pedireddi said as a research assistant, she was required to be in her lab, despite being pregnant. “I couldn’t take a single leave,” Pedireddi said. “Even just before my delivery.” Le said career fairs for international students have become a growing issue as well. Many industries aren’t accepting international student applications and existing career fairs host hundreds of students with few companies present, with international students often having it more difficult than others. Aerospace engineering graduate Maddie Haas, representing the Aerospace Engineering Graduate Student Association, said that’s especially true for aerospace engineering international graduates, as the U.S. aerospace industry is dominated by defense and government positions that only accept U.S. citizens. Representatives also discussed pushing for mandating an Aggie Honor Code training for international students before moving on to SB 17 and related concerns. “The general queer concerns [from] people in our organization have to do with the lack of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus,” Mejia said. “Obviously, this is not a thing that can be fixed in five minutes … but there’s a scarcity of gender-neutral restrooms.” Mejia said faculty and staff misgendering students has become a growing issue as well, a complicated problem worsened by the power imbalance between students and professors, she said. “Also, sometimes with advisors, they lack sensitivity,” Ahmed said. “I wish there was some sort of sensitivity training, given how nuanced it is to be queer.” Ahmed said due to SB 17, the Pride Center will be renamed, and her organization, the Queer Empowerment Council, will be taking over events the center previously helped host. The representatives concluded that they would meet again, likely next semester, to discuss more issues and see if anything had changed since the first meeting before adjourning after over two hours of discussion.

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The Battalion | 11.09.23

ELEPHANT WALK CONTINUED FROM A1 -nior class. Remembering current students who passed away during their time at A&M is one of the most significant aspects of the night, Trosper said.

MUSTER CONTINUED FROM A1 memorial as former students from A&M, which was originally a complete military college, began passing away in war. “Ultimately, at 7 p.m. in Reed Arena [on April 21], we have the Muster ceremony, where we read a list of names of the Aggies who have passed away,” Kerchhoff said.

FIRST-GEN CONTINUED FROM A1 because of our background and how we don’t have much knowledge of higher education.” Construction science junior Daniel Monreal said he felt welcomed and supported at this celebration as a first-generation student. Monreal said he came from a background where going to college was not a priority in his family, so he is thankful for the resources the event provided. “I did not know about a lot of the programs they have, so I was really happy to find that out,” Monreal said. “There are a lot of programs that you can lean on if you do need the

“A big piece of what makes A&M special is that we remember and honor the students and Aggies who have passed,” Trosper said. The walk will then carry over to the Quad. Corps Commander Caitlynn Walsh will speak on Respect and Selfless Service. After the

fourth stop, the event will conclude with a block party in Aggie Park, featuring free food, games, drinks and even a Yell Practice. As the seniors near graduation, it’s important to note that these Aggies’ stories do not end when they become former students, nor

when their name is called at Muster. The Class of 2024 has served our institution selflessly as any Aggie should; now, it’s time for members of the class to selfishly take this moment for themselves and reflect on what positive influence they have made on A&M, Trosper said.

“Their family members light a candle when their loved one’s name is called, and then we answer, ‘Here’ to recognize that Aggie is here with us in spirit.” Muster ceremonies similar to the one at Reed Arena take place around the world on April 21, not just on campus, Kerckhoff said. “Last year, when I woke up for the flag-raising ceremony … we saw that Italy had already

had their Muster,” Kerckhoff said. Kerckhoff said they want more Aggies to participate in Muster, and one way they can do that is by nominating a speaker. “I’ve always loved A&M, but I don’t really feel like I truly understood the Aggie spirit until I attended Muster,” Kerckhoff said. “I feel like that was the first time I knew I loved this place, but I think that was the first time

I realized A&M loves you back as a student. You’re a part of something so much bigger than yourself.” Odneal said their goal is to have everyone be seen, no matter who they are. “We want the speaker to empathize with them — to say, ‘Hey, we’re here. We see you, and we’re going to remember your loved ones,’” Odneal said.

help and resources.” Palomin said she and her team invited different resources at A&M to prepare first-generation students for life after graduation. A sense of belonging and acknowledging students’ success are the reasons for hosting events like this one, Palomin said. “Being able to celebrate their success with the entire campus community … and we do all this for them so they can feel connected to [A&M],” Palomin said. Business administration sophomore Daniela Coronado said the event is a way for students to feel included. “This event will benefit students because they will get to know more [about] how

much they are appreciated and not alone … because sometimes we can feel like an outcast,” Coronado said. Allied health sophomore Zaid Torres said he was surprised by the overall experience in Aggie Park. “I have been receiving a lot of emails about this event … so I came to check it out, and it’s actually nice,” Torres said. “This celebration is pretty fun, and I like the food here too.” Technology management senior Kaili Manthei said she went to the event last year and brought a friend this year because she valued how the event was organized. Manthei said she appreciates how she can turn to these organizations that are there for her benefit be-

cause she is not able to lean on her parents for information relating to school. “[This celebration] is very great for networking, especially for first-generation students who sometimes don’t know about all the organizations on campus we can use,” Manthei said. Monreal said his parents immigrated to Caldwell from Mexico, so he stayed disciplined in his academics so that he could come to A&M. “I’m here now, thankfully, and I’m trying to make my family proud and make all their sacrifices not in vain,” Monreal said.

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CRITICISM The Battalion | 11.09.23

Buffett’s last ballad

“Equal Strain on All Parts”

Artist: Jimmy Buffett Release Date: November 3, 2023 Rating: 10/10 By Ryan Lindner @RyanLindner12 Grab your flip-flops and margarita mix and get ready to “keep the party going,” just as the Mayor of Margaritaville would’ve wanted. On Nov. 3, Mailboat/ Sun Records released Jimmy Buffett’s first posthumous album “Equal Strain On All Parts.” Buffett’s 31st studio album boasts his hallmark laid-back 5 o’clock-somewhere country-island rock-and-roll with a mix of gentle old-time wisdom. Recorded in the beginning of 2023, the 14-track record impressively swings from Buffett’s goofy good-times persona in “Fish Porn” and “Like My Dog,” to gorgeously reflective in “Bubbles Up” and Mary Black’s 1989 “Columbus.” Buffett skillfully balances between sunny and cheerful with beautiful melancholic songs that make the listening experience pleasant and dynamic. Long-time Parrotheads couldn’t have asked for a better closing album. The opening track, “The University of Bourbon Street,” is exactly like the name implies — Buffet’s time getting his street education as a young musician in New Orleans. The track features the legendary New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band and plenty of piano and brass to make this a natural fit in the Big Easy. The song, of course, gives a tribute to Buffett’s bayou heroes in the lyrics, “I was taught by the Neville Brothers / Benny Spellman, and a whole lotta others / That brass brand blew my mind / When I joined in the second line.” Buffett quickly changes the tone in the second track, “Bubbles Up.” Reminiscent of other vocally impressive songs, such as his 1973 “Death of an Unpopular Poet,” Buffett pipes an ode to past adventures and the importance of optimism in pushing through the hard times in life. A slow pedal steel guitar pushes the melody as Buffett poetically sings, “So, when the journey gets long / There is light up above / And joy, there is always enough / Bubbles up.” The song’s tender message makes it a memorable album

highlight, and if watched with the accompanying music video composed of clips from Buffett’s life, it’s rather emotional. On the lighter side of the album, tracks like “Audience Of One,” and the humorous “Fish Porn,” have a lively rhythm you can’t help but bop your head in time to. In “Close Calls,” Buffett employs a bluegrass, honky-tonk feel that details his numerous brushes with death. Famous Beatles member Paul McCartney handles bass in “My Gummie Just Kicked In” as Buffett belts the sing-along chorus, “Don’t know where I’m goin’ / Don’t know where I’ve been / All I know for certain / Is my gummie just kicked in.” The track is clas-

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sic Buffett with the added bonus of being inspired by a real dinner party between McCartney and Buffett and, of course, an edible. In a touching tribute to his grandfather, Buffett reflects over a gentle guitar on the deeper meaning of “All those little things that my grandfather said” in the title track. In today’s age of overused snare drums and copycat beats, the storytelling in “Equal Strain” is simply a breath of fresh air. To close the album, Buffett covers Bob Dylan’s 1976 “Mozambique” featuring Emmylou Harris and a playful acoustic guitar and drum set. The searching song of an adventurer looking for his next ex-

Photo via Mailboat Records

ploit is a fitting end to an album that is all about life’s journeys and ups and downs. Fans have long lamented that Buffett, despite his deep discography of versatile and genre-defying music, is too often only associated with the songs “Margaritaville” and his work with Alan Jackson in “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” “Equal Strain” shows the breadth of Buffett’s musical talent by taking the listener through a creative blend of fun, catchy and emotionally deep tracks that do justice to one of the most beloved musicians of the last five decades. One can be sure Buffett is dancing in the conga line up above.

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OPINION

The Battalion | 11.09.23

Holding grudges can be good for you Opinion writer Maddie McMurrough says forgiveness is earned, not deserved

Graphic by Pranay Dhoopar/The Battalion

Maddie McMurrough @MadsMcMurrough Religions and personal philosophies are all vastly different, ranging from the worship of God to the total rejection of God. However, for the most part, they all have one common principle: forgiveness. Most practices preach that the only true way to find peace within one’s life is to forgive. Forgive others for intentional wrongdoings and unintentional ones, too. Where those philosophies and I part ways is that I don’t believe in limitless forgiveness — after a certain point, of course. Now, if you step on my foot on accident in a crowded room, obviously I will not hold it against you for the rest of my life, but as my family’s resident grudge holder, I have my own forgiveness philosophy. There is only one being who has to forgive everyone: God, Allah, the Universe or whatever higher power you believe in. And there is only one person you absolutely must forgive, no matter what. That person is yourself. With that in mind, everyone else can be up for debate on whether or not you have to forgive them. After living in five different states and over 13 different cities, the one thing I know is that some people absolutely

cannot change. And I don’t need to forgive them for it. Of course, when I say I don’t forgive certain people, I’m not taking stock of their names before I go to bed like Arya Stark or wasting away thinking about what they’ve done. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that some of my more fresh betrayals resurface in my mind when trying to sleep. Those people will not be a part of my life, and they won’t have a chance to slither back in again either. I’m a simple American girl. Therefore, I go by the most famous rule from America’s pastime: Three strikes and you’re out. If someone intentionally commits a serious infraction on three separate occasions without proof they’re working on fixing it, and after expressing how those actions hurt you, then I am sorry but, they are not going to fix it. Not anytime soon at least. I’ve said this to many friends asking me for dating advice about their clearly manipulative partners. A manipulator can tell who is easy to walk on from a mile away. It’s their special gift. And they can tell who is going to forgive them and allow the manipulation to continue. So, are you going to let yourself keep getting hurt under the thinly veiled excuse called forgiveness? At what point does forgiveness cause more turmoil than peace? I’ve seen this firsthand in my own life. I’ve broken no-contact and forgiven someone

who deeply hurt me. Where that got me was an extra six months of pain and knowledge of things that twisted the knife deeper. Whereas if I would’ve vowed to not forgive the absolutely horrendous things they put me through, I wouldn’t have been set back months in my healing process and probably would’ve been far happier in the long run. I get it. In a sick twisted way they make you believe that “they’re all you have,” “you still want them in your life even after they hurt you” or “you know they love you in their weird way.” I’ve thought all of those things before, but that got me nowhere, and those people wasted so much of my time and disappointed me to a point I thought I couldn’t return from. But here I am. I have fulfilling relationships, and I am the most at peace I’ve been in years. And I owe it all to my grudge-holding skills. Because when the sting fades from no-contact, and I’ve had time to digest their actions and how they made me feel, I know I never want those people in my life again. I know I deserve better, and so do you. Now, for the second aspect of my philosophy, you must forgive yourself. Life is too short to be consumed with guilt. If you’re genuinely sorry, you’ll know how to make it right. No one is perfect, and everyone has made mistakes. But where I respect those fallen angels of regret is when they rectify it.

And if the person you hurt won’t accept your apology, rectify it within yourself and ensure you don’t make that mistake again. That is the only true way to find peace. Some people are misguided and others are manipulative, and it is not always easy to tell which is which. You have to do the emotional work to figure that out for yourself. I’ve had to forgive myself for the wasted tears, time and trust I’ve given some people, but none have yet to forgive themselves enough to apologize. However, I’m not holding my breath hoping they’ll change — because my best bet is they won’t. I don’t need to waste away trying to forgive them to keep them in my life. Instead, I focus on forgiving myself, working on my own relationships and in turn finding peace. I hope that everyone can find peace, and remember my philosophy as we go through life. Because everyone deserves to have relationships that build them up, not suck them dry. Of course, forgive the people who are truly sorry. But ditch the ones that don’t bring you fulfillment and happiness. Who knew not forgiving could be so peaceful? Maddie McMurrough is an agricultural communications and journalism junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

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SPORTS

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

The Texas A&M football team sings the War Hymn following its 30-17 win over South Carolina at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

A MISSISSIPPI CURSE

A&M looks to snap its losing streak against Mississippi schools in second night game By Justin Chen @chen_justin_

In what seems like forever, Saturday, Nov. 11’s football matchup will take place underneath the bright lights of Kyle Field at 6:30 p.m., as Texas A&M welcomes Mississippi State. For both teams, it’s been a subpar season that they’d like to forget and a win this weekend would be a good indicator as the final stretch of games approaches. For the Maroon and White, it hasn’t been an easy season. An early loss to Miami tacked on with an injury to sophomore quarterback Connor Weigman were huge blows to start conference play. Then, back-to-back close losses to Alabama and Tennessee led to more frustration. Though last week’s matchup against Ole Miss came down to the wire, it was yet another close loss.

Through the ups and downs, one thing the football team can rely on is the support of the 12th Man. Coach Jimbo Fisher said it’s nice to have the home crowd come out no matter the time. “It’s funny, everyone says night games, but at 11:00 [a.m.], we’ve been over 100,000 [in attendance] every game,” Fisher said. “It’s amazing how [the 12th Man] shows up no matter what the circumstances.” However, as good as the home crowd has been, the play on the field has not translated, at least offensively. The offense is ranked 37th in passing offense and 94th in rushing offense, with injuries and offensive line struggles playing a hand in the middle-of-the-pack rankings. On the other side of the ball, the A&M defensive line has been dominant for the majority of the season. It’s ranked second in team sacks (34) in large part to junior defensive linemen Fadil Diggs and Shemar Turner and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. While the secondary have been torched at times, the line has been consistent. No matter what, though, it just seems like the offense and defense can’t sync up. In the

losses to Alabama and Tennessee, the defense kept the offense in it and gave them a chance to win, but the offense failed to put up points on the board. Then, in the most recent loss to Ole Miss, the offense fired on all cylinders besides a red zone interception. The mix of sophomore quarterback Max Johnson and running back duo of sophomore Le’Veon Moss and junior Amari Daniels kept the Aggies in the game. Aside from a scoop-and-score, the A&M defense failed to stop the Rebels’ offense from scoring in the final minutes of the game. If the Maroon and White hope to finish the season strong, they’ll start with putting away a Mississippi State team and being on the same page both offensively and defensively. Visiting College Station is a Bulldogs team hoping to get back on track after coming off a two-game losing streak. For Mississippi State, it’s also been a rough season for first-year coach Zach Arnett. Offensively, the team ranks second-to-last in the conference in passing yards per game (191.9) and is dead last in points per game (22.7). In the past three games, the Bulldogs have failed to crack the 20-point mark, and against a

strong A&M defense, it’s unlikely to change. However, a positive note for Arnett is that senior quarterback Will Rogers will most likely be back after missing the previous three games with an injury. In his absence, senior quarterback Mike Wright threw a pick in every game he started, a less than favorable outcome for the Bulldogs. The defense has not fared much better as it ranks as a bottom-five total defense in the SEC. In the first three-game losing skid, the Mississippi State defense gave up 30-plus points, and in the latest two-game losing streak, it has given up 20-plus points in both games. Anchoring the defense to the best of their abilities are graduate linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson. The duo combine for 12 sacks and 179 total tackles. Through the losing skids, Johnson and Watson are the two who’ve been consistently showing up. Overall, while the 12th Man will be treated to a night game, the narrative is that both SEC teams are in the midst of a struggling season. With a win this weekend, a bowl game is still in sight for both teams.

A&M kicks off NCAA Tournament

Aggies take on Colorado Buffaloes at Ellis Field after SEC Tournament exit By Kylie Stoner @sportsbystoner

With Texas A&M soccer’s 28th NCAA Tournament appearance in 29 years coming up on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., the Aggies

will look to the Colorado Buffaloes to come to Ellis Field. As decided a few minutes into Monday’s NCAA Selection Show, No. 49 A&M and No. 55 Colorado in the NCAA Women’s Soccer RPI will face off at Ellis Field. The Aggies’ new offensive talents this season in graduate Sammy Smith, senior Jazmine Wilkinson and freshman Taylor Jernigan have combined for 17 goals this season, while the Buffaloes’ senior forward Shyra James has 15 goals by herself this season. In Colorado’s history with A&M, the Ma-

roon and White have won 17 of the games, tied two and lost two. The last meeting between the two sides was in November of 2010 when the Aggies defeated the Buffaloes on penalty kicks of the Big 12 Tournament. The Fightin’ Farmers have fouled 166 times and were awarded nine yellow cards this season, while their opponents have been given 214 fouls and were booked with 20 yellow cards. Coming off a close SEC Tournament semifinal loss in double overtime to Georgia, A&M will hope to continue through the tour-

nament’s bracket into the second round with a potential rematch against Florida State. The Seminoles are playing Morehead State Eagles on Friday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. in Tallahassee, Florida. Previously in the season, A&M fell 2-1 to NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed Florida State at Ellis Field. The Seminoles were 16-0-1 with their one draw being to North Carolina. The match is free for those with a student ID, as well as parking with a valid A&M pass.

PHOTO

The Battalion | 11.09.23

BUZZ IS BACK By Ishika Samant @ishphoto After an offseason of recognition and accolades, the Maroon and White garnered the attention of not just the national media — but the student body as well. On opening night the No. 15 Aggies, lived up to their ranking, running away with a 78-46 victory over the A&M-Commerce Lions.

BUCKEYE BATTLE A&M to face Ohio State in second game of season By Hunter Mitchell @HunterM1001

After a cozy 32-point victory against A&M-Commerce to start the season, Texas A&M men’s basketball heads north to face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, Nov. 10. Despite their 16-19 record last season, the Buckeyes are no strangers to success, only falling below 20 wins twice since the 2003-04 season. This is the first time since the 201718 season — as well as the first in coach Buzz Williams’ tenure — that the Aggies haven’t played at least two games at home to start the season. The last time A&M played away from home in

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Game 2 was an 88-65 victory over No. 11 West Virginia on the Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. The Buckeyes and the Aggies have only played twice before. A&M won both matchups, with the latest installment in 2007 ending in a 23-point blowout for the Aggies. Ohio State is coming off a close victory against Oakland to start its season, rallying a second-half comeback to sneak past the Golden Grizzlies, 79-73. Three Buckeyes, senior forward Zed Key and sophomore guards Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr., tallied

17 points in their season opener. Thornton, an All-Big Ten Tournament team selection last season, averaged 10.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Key started in 23 games for Ohio State last season and was averaging 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds before an injury cut his season short. Gayle came primarily off the bench for the Buckeyes last season but started 10 of the last 11 games for Ohio State to close the year. Against Oakland, the Buckeyes struggled to defend the 3, giving up 14 shots from behind the arc to tie for 258th in the country in 3-point defense.

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.09.23

WEEK 11: STAFF PICKS

Brought to you by

Texas A&M vs. Mississippi St.

Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN

Ishika Samant

Zoe May

Photo Chief @im_samant

Editor-in-Chief @MayZoella

How many Mississippi’s is it going to take for Jimbo to call a play?

Imagine needing a cowbell to be loud. Prediction record: 4-5

ZOE

Luke White

Hunter Mitchell

Asst. Sports Editor @HunterM1001

Sports Editor @Lukewhite03

ISHIKA

Time to purge A&M’s Mississippi football demons. Prediction record: 5-4

Football is still going on? Prediction record:

6-3

LUKE Ryan Lindner

HUNTER

Kylie Stoner

Opinion Editor @RyanLindner12

Asst. Sports Editor @Sportsbystoner

If we lose our first night game in forever, I’ll cry. Prediction record:

5-4

Prediction record:

KYLIE

Put me out of my misery. Prediction record:

7-2

5-4

RYAN Nico Gutteridge

Ana Renfroe

Asst. News Editor @nico_gjc

ANA

News Editor @aeoenia

What Ryan said.

Wait, Megan, Mississippi is a state?

NICO

Prediction record: 6-3

Prediction record:

KYLE

Megan Williams

Kyle Heise

Asst. Photo Chief @Kyleheisephoto

6-3

Design Editor @meg_atx422

MEGAN

I convinced Ishika that Mississippi isn’t a state and she had to Google it (True story).

Kyle is my father, call me Mr. Field. Prediction record: 5-4

Prediction record:

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.09.23

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR FOOTBALL WEEK 11

By Shanielle Veazie @shanielleveazie

Georgia 43

1513

8-0

– Ohio State 7

1438 9-0

 1

No. 10 Ole Miss @ No. 2 Georgia

Florida @ No. 14 LSU

Saturday, Nov. 11 — 6 p.m. on ESPN Sanford Stadium — Athens, Georgia

Saturday, Nov. 11 — 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

An entertaining matchup is set between the Rebels and the Bulldogs. Georgia is currently undefeated and looks to continue its win streak to remain No. 1 in the SEC East. Ole Miss is No. 2 in the SEC West and is 8-1 overall with five conference wins. Last week, the Rebels sealed a thrilling close matchup against the Texas A&M Aggies, 38-35.The victory came after sophomore defensive tackle Zxavian Harris got a hand on a field goal attempt by A&M sophomore kicker Randy Bond. The Rebels proved that they have a dynamic offense led by

junior quarterback Jaxson Dart that can get down the field and put points on the board. Against the Aggies, sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins rushed for 102 yards and scored three touchdowns. Just like Dart, Georgia junior quarterback Carson Beck is no stranger to a strong offense. On the season, Beck has thrown 213 completions and recorded 16 passing touchdowns. It is set to be an offensive battle on both sides.

The Gators are currently 5-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while the Tigers sit at 6-3 overall with four conference wins. The squad is looking for a win against the Tigers in hopes of snapping a two-game losing streak. The unranked Gators are coming off a close 39-36 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks and seeking to prove that they are not to be counted out. In Tigerland, there is some uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position after se-

nior quarterback Jayden Daniels went down in last week’s matchup against No. 8 Alabama. If Daniels is not cleared for the matchup, the Gators will need to be prepared to face redshirt sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Nussmeier has seen the field a few times this season, completing 17 of 33 passes for 196 yards with one touchdown. Both teams will be looking for a big win to gain another conference win.

Michigan 11

1436 8-0

 1

Florida State 1 1387

–

Washington

1331 9-0

–

Oregon 1231 8-1

–

Alabama 1151 7-1

Prediction: LSU 28, Florida 21

Prediction: Georgia 35, Ole Miss 31

9-0



Texas 1145 8-1

 1

9 No. 8 Alabama @ Kentucky

No. 16 Tennessee @ No. 12 Missouri

Saturday, Nov. 11 — 11 a.m. on ESPN Kroger Field — Lexington, Kentucky

Saturday, Nov. 11 — 2:30 p.m. on CBS Memorial Stadium — Columbia, Missouri

Kentucky had a blazing 5-0 start to the season but began to struggle after losing three in a row. Last week, the squad defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-3 to get back in the win column. The matchup will be a challenge as Alabama is undefeated in conference play with its only season loss coming from Texas in Week 2.

Kentucky will need to put on its best offensive performance of the year to get past the Crimson Tide. With its starting quarterback going down in the second half against Mississippi State, all eyes may be on sophomore quarterback Kaiya Sheron to lead the team to a much needed victory. Prediction: Alabama 38, Kentucky 24

This is set to be a battle as both teams are 7-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play with Missouri sitting at No. 2 in the SEC East and Tennessee following behind at No. 3. Missouri is coming off a 3021 loss to Georgia on the road and junior quarterback Brady Cook and his offense are looking for redemption against the Volunteers. Cook has completed 183 passes for 16 touchdowns this season. The Vols have been dominant

offensively with leaders like junior running back Jaylen Wright making things difficult for their opponents on the ground. Last week against the University of Connecticut, Wright logged 120 yards on 11 carries. Senior quarterback Joe Milton III also had himself a game, completing 17 of 20 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown. This one will be a close fight — and worth the watch.

Penn State 1044 8-1

–

Ole Miss 1009 8-1

–

Louisville 874 8-1

 4

Oregon State 769

7-2



Utah 722 7-2

 4

Prediction:Tennessee 41, Missouri 38

Tennessee 633 7-2



Oklahoma 603 7-2

 5

Missouri 591 7-2

 2

17 18

Oklahoma St 549 7-2 NR

LSU 523

6-3

 5

Kansas 427 7-2



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Arizona 168 6-3 NR

Liberty 141 9-0 NR

North Carolina 119 7-2

–

The SMP represents the top 25 teams in college football as voted weekly by student journalists across the nation New entrants: Oklahoma State (17), Arizona (23), Liberty (24) Dropped out: Air Force (16), UCLA (20), USC (24) Receiving votes: USC (73), Kansas State (57), Fresno State (45), UCLA (42), Duke (37), Air Force (35), Kentucky (31), Toledo (29), Iowa (22), Clemson (8), West Virginia (3), UNLV (3), SMU (1), North Carolina State (1), UTSA (1)

Student Media Poll is sponsored by Indiana University Student Media