The Battalion — October 26, 2023

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2023 STUDENT MEDIA

Leaders search for solutions City planners, local charity discuss housing affordability

By Cameron Gibson @CameronTheBatt

“The cool thing about this festival is all five of the walls are in open, public spaces that the community has open access to,” Stott said.

The ACBV encouraged community members to interact with the muralists and watch the progression of the murals as they were being created, Stott said.

“It wouldn’t [have] been possible if not for all the help and love outpoured by the community as they embrace this new type of public art endeavor,” Stott said.

The festival not only includes installing new art, but also a conservator and welder restoring and cleaning existing art pieces in College Station like Cambria behind Larry J. Ringer Library and Eternal Winds.

“Our conservator and his welder [have] gone around to some of our different statues and sculptures that we have in our public art and sandblasted them to restore them to their original glory,” Stott said.

The festival wrapped up with two vendor markets on Saturday, Oct. 21, one at The Yard at Caprock Crossing near Candy Kuo’s mural and one at Northgate, near MOUF’s mural.

The vendor market included 35 independent vendors selling snacks, herbal goods, jewelry, pottery, art

Between 2010 and 2022 in Brazos County, the average house price increased by 85% while wages only increased by 50%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Federal Finance Housing Agency. There have been different approaches to tackling housing affordability locally.

Alyssa Halle-Schramm, the former long range planning administrator for the College Station City Council, said the rapid increase of students has changed the housing market in College Station.

College Station Community Development Analyst David Brower, who is taking over Halle-Schramm’s role this year, said the City Council’s attempts to provide affordable housing is constrained by Texas-specific laws.

“If you go to lots of other states, you, as a municipality, can say, ‘OK, you can develop in these areas … but a certain percentage of your units have to be affordable,’” Brower said. “You can require affordability in new development, [but] that is not allowed in Texas. In Texas, you can only incentivize affordability.”

However, Brower said it is still allowed to require developers to provide a certain number of affordable units for every story built over a chosen limit or to pay into a pool the city can use to build their own.

Halle-Schramm said the implementation details would be worked on over the next year.

There are also major supply-side issues locally and nationally, Brower said.

Brower said it’s especially difficult for Texas A&M’s workforce, as many of them are forced to live 30 minutes away from campus because that’s the only area where housing is affordable.

“I could see [the] pros and cons of providing more student housing, but we’ve seen that it would really probably benefit [to provide employee housing],” Brower said.

“One of the effects of the market is that people that work on campus can’t really afford to live.”

Dan Kiniry, the executive director of local nonprofit Tiny Hope Village, said A&M’s wages are another issue, especially since all dining, landscaping, building maintenance and janitorial jobs were outsourced to Compass Group USA in 2012. Kiniry said students could pressure A&M and Compass Group USA to increase their minimum wages, as a minimum wage of $15 to $20 per hour would transform the community.

Tiny Hope Village’s goal is to build a permanent supportive community for people who have experienced homelessness in Bryan-College Station. So far, they’ve built two homes, with another two under construction. “[The community is] designed for [people] to support each other, and it’s going to be organized so that folks who are living there are also doing work to help each other out and to run the community and to take ownership of it,” Kiniry said.

Kiniry said Tiny Hope Village was born out of a potluck meal that happens every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Neal Park. Kiniry said he encourages students to join to get to know

MURALS ON PG. A4

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Kaili Gaston --THE BATTALION

Alpha Chi Omega and One Army performed at Songfest on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 to a dance themed after the movie “Kingsman.”

Songfest takes center stage

Fifteen musical acts competed to win a grand prize of $20,000

By Amy Steward @amyleighsteward Will Ferrell, stormtroopers, Barbies and lots of glitter — the 45th annual Songfest saw over 30 student organizations compete with movie-themed dance performances to raise money for charity.

Chi Omega, a panhellenic sorority at Texas A&M, hosted the three-day event and shows were Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. in Rudder Auditorium. In addition to selling out of tickets, Songfest raised money through a silent auction, merchandise, sponsors

and donations. The winning performance received $20,000 for their charity and total profits numbered nearly a quarter million dollars.

Allied health senior and Chi Omega President Shelby Aulsbrook said she helped oversee the event.

“Songfest is the largest Greek philanthropy [event] at Texas A&M,” Aulsbrook said. “This is our 45th year hosting the event, and it’s steadily just gotten larger and larger each year. Last year, we raised over $237,000.”

Thirty-two student organizations were paired up to put on eye-catching performances, creating 15 student-choreographed acts inspired by famous movies.

Pi Beta Phi member and forensics freshman Meredith Miller said Songfest takes a significant amount of dedication from

its participants, and while she didn’t dance this year, she’s seen the work that goes into it.

“Each organization is in charge of selling t-shirts and tickets to raise money,” Miller said. “They have been practicing for about a month now, and the practice schedule is insane. For the dances, my sorority had tryouts to place the better dancers in the harder dances. Depending on what dances you are in, you could practice almost every day of the week.”

Pi Beta Phi partnered with Aggie Men’s Alliance for their show “Alice in Wonderland,” featuring multiple dances with performers dressed up as main characters while movie scenes or graphics played in the background. The other acts similarly went all out: lights, props and backdrops gave each group

unique visuals, and costumes ranged from simple black tanks to glitzy tops to rugged pirate outfits.

There was no shortage of homages to each act’s movie. Kappa Alpha Theta and Squadron 17 recreated Will Ferrell scenes for their “Talladega Nights” show, and Delta Zeta and the Aggie Club of Engineers did a Star Wars-themed act complete with lightsaber battles and a Chewbacca suit. Theatrics were managed by Chi Omega and Rudder Auditorium employees behind the scenes.

“We have a Songfest chair, and she and her team have been working hard for 10 months to make this happen,” Aulsbrook said. “Rudder Auditorium gives us a lot of help, but as far as all SONGFEST ON PG. A4

Locals unite to showcase creativity

Rev Up festival makes, restores community art

By Nadia Abusaid @NadiaAtTheBatt

Spray paint wafted through the air as five professional artists from around the country painted new murals across various locations in College Station. The murals are part of the Rev Up the Arts Aggieland Mural Festival hosted by the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, or ACBV, a week-long event that included live mural painting, two vendor markets, art restoration and daily events for the visiting artists.

Muralists at the festival included artists MOUF at the Aggieland Bookstore on Northgate, Candy Kuo at The Yard at Caprock Crossing, Naomi Haverland at University Flowers, Key Detail at the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley office and RemixUno at the La Quinta hotel.

ACBV Programs and Events Coordinator Madi Stott worked on organizing the festival with five muralists from across the country this past week. Each muralist painted a mural, some of which included depictions of maroon bonnets or Reveille.

Karis Olson --THE BATTALION

Candy Kuo spray-paints her mural as part of Rev Up The Arts Mural Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.

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The Battalion | 10.26.23

Ishika Samant - THE BATTALION

A stand with Britney Romero’s picture sits with candles on the Aggie Park Pavilion during her Balloon Memorial held by the Mexican Student Association on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

Remembering Romero Mexican Student Association hosted a memorial for health freshman in Aggie Park, attendees released pink balloons in her honor

By Hilani Quinones @hilaniq On Thursday, Oct. 19, Texas A&M’s Mexican Student Association, or MSA, held a memorial event at Aggie Park for health freshman Britney Romero, who passed away Sunday, Oct. 15 at Dunn Hall.

Speakers, including her roommate physics freshman Brenda Vidal and MSA officers, spoke to attendees to honor Romero before leading them in releasing pink balloons in her memory. Afterward, they provided attendees the opportunity to write letters to Romero’s family.

MSA President Fabian Gonzalez said no one ever expects something like this to happen.

“It’s tough,” Gonzalez said. “It’s very tough news.”

Communication senior and Vice President of MSA Marcela Gonzalez said she, along with other MSA officers, remembered Romero attending MSA events.

“When we heard about Britney’s passing, some of us officers were together when we found out,” Gonzalez said. “We started connecting the dots on her name because that’s all the information we had, and we remembered that she actually attended one of our meetings. We were having a piñata-breaking after a meeting, and she was interacting with one of the officers there. She was a really bright spirit to see.”

Gonzalez said she wants to show students that other people care about them.

“I want students to know that Aggies really do care about each other,” Gonzales said.

“It goes far beyond these tragic circumstanc-

es, and we’ll always be an Aggie for you. We wanted to show everybody that no Aggie stands alone.”

Engineering freshman Vianca Rios attended the memorial Thursday night.

“I wanted to be here to support [Romero],” Rios said. “It’s really sad what happened.

I think it’s really important to support others and honor her this way.”

Engineering freshman and member of MSA Soley Mendoza said she cannot imagine losing someone so close.

“I knew [Romero] was in MSA, so when I heard about her, it was even more sad,” Mendoza said. “It’s especially sad losing someone so close to my culture, so I came to honor her tonight. I can’t imagine what her family is going through, and this loss is felt by all of us. Knowing we were in the same classes and

same campus a week ago is a lot.”

Allied health freshman and member of MSA Shelley Ramirez said she attended the memorial to show respect for Britney’s family.

“When I found out this happened, I felt something over it, and it’s a feeling you can’t dismiss,” Ramirez said. “When they said they were going to have this event, I wanted to come to show respect for [Romero’s] family and friends.”

Ramirez also said A&M should make their HelpLine more visible to students.

“I know A&M does offer a lot of things, like the HelpLine,” Ramirez said. “I think it would be better if they promoted these resources a lot more, especially when things like this happen. A lot of people go through a lot of these struggles, so having A&M pushing this out there would make a difference.”

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The Battalion | 10.26.23

SONGFEST FROM PG. A1 the logistics go, it’s our Songfest team.

They’re in the back talking through walkie-talkies and running the show.”

Nearly two dozen judges selected first through third places across the performances.

Included in the list were podcaster Melanie Shankle, Yell Leaders Grayson Poage, Jake Carter and Thomas Greve, Makea-Wish employees Melanie Morales and Breeze Acevedo and former A&M football player Chris Valletta.

In addition, the Crowd’s Favorite awards were decided through online donations and performers picked the Acts’ Favorite. Winners were announced at the end of Saturday’s show, receiving corresponding trophies and jumbo checks presented to their group’s Songfest chairs.

HOUSING FROM PG. A1 people who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness. Eating together and sharing a conversation is a good way of treating someone as an equal, which can be important for those often ostracized from society, he said.

Kiniry said the nonprofit is needed because actual housing needs to be a priority before further support can be given.

“The Brazos Valley Council of Governments issue thousands of vouchers, so low-income households can use that voucher to rent a unit that accepts that voucher to rent a place,” Brower said. “One of the really difficult things is [that] our voucher program is full.”

Brower said once someone does obtain a housing voucher after overcoming the waiting list, they are not automatically guaranteed a place to live.

“There are some states where it is illegal

MURALS FROM PG. A1 and clothing, Stott said.

Naomi Haverland, a muralist of more than 20 years from Florida, came to College Station this past week to create a mural at the University Flowers store for the festival. Haverland said she was grateful for the support from community members, which motivated her throughout the painting process.

“There was this one lady … she works at [Texas A&M], but she came by every single day to see the progress and take a picture … so that was kind of fun,” Haverland said.

ACBV work-study and biomedical sciences senior Rubab Khan manned the Arts Council’s booth on Saturday at The Yard at Caprock Crossing.

“I have never really met official artists

45th Annual Songfest Competition Winners First place: Tri Delta and Century Men’s Society with “Elvis.” They received $20,000 for their philanthropies, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Camp Kesem.

Second place: Zeta Tau Alpha and Beta Upsilon Chi with “Hook.” They received $15,000 for their philanthropies, the American Cancer Society and The Bridge Ministries.

Third place: Delta Gamma and Aggie Men’s Club with “Avengers.” They received $10,000 for their philanthropies, Service for Sight and Kairos Christian School.

Acts’ Favorite: Alpha Chi Omega and One Army with “Kingsman.” They received $2,000 for their philanthropies, Phoebe’s Home and Still Creek Ranch.

Crowd’s Favorite: Alpha Omicron Pi and Aggie Business Brothers with “Barbie

Life in the Dreamhouse.” They received $2,000 for their philanthropies, Soldiers’ Angels and the Sexual Assault Resource Center.

First-place winners Tri Delta and Century Men’s Society had close to a hundred people performing on stage. Their act, “Elvis,” had 2010’s music but 1950’s glam and sent the audience gasping when a dancer was launched into the air by other performers. Tri Delta’s share of the $20,000 prize will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, university studies senior and Tri Delta Philanthropy Director Mallory Font said.

“They always talk about St. Jude at practice, reminding each other that they want to win the money so it can go to St. Jude,” Font said. “I got to visit St. Jude over the summer, and there’s so much hope there. Seeing all the patients and families just made me want to do everything I can to come back here and work

here to raise money for them.”

As hosts, Chi Omega will receive the largest portion of the money raised, Aulsbrook said. It will go to its philanthropies Make-a-Wish and Still Creek Ranch.

Chi Omega brought the children from Still Creek Ranch, a home for children in crisis where the sorority is the largest donor, to Songfest. The kids watched the acts and danced on stage during Chi Omega’s noncompeting performance. Aulsbrook said Chi Omega sees the Still Creek kids weekly and the members have strong connections there; being able to show them what the sorority accomplished and how much its members care for them was by far the most important part of Songfest for her.

“It’s not just girls and guys coming out here to dance and have fun,” Aulsbrook said. “It really is changing lives.”

not to accept a housing voucher,” Brower said. “But in Texas, you don’t have to accept a voucher, so there’s a lot of units that, if they can rent their units without accepting one, they won’t.”

Kiniry said mental illness can be both a cause and an effect of homelessness, giving one example of someone he worked with.

“He got through the waiting list of [Housing and Urban Development, or HUD], and he got into an apartment, but because of his mental disability, he wasn’t able to maintain the HUD rules,” Kiniry said. “He would let people come live with him, and, if the HUD catches you doing that, then they stop funding you.”

Halle-Schramm said their plan includes the gradual introduction of middle housing to the area, which mixes different types of residences together with the aim of offering benefits, such as walkability, dealing with evolving housing demand and improving neighborhood diversity.

“If we had been working on middle housing policies a decade ago, 15 years ago, as the university started doing the 25 by 25 program and really expanding … it wouldn’t have been so much of either just single family or just large apartment complexes,” Halle-Schramm said. “We could have had this, missing middle is what it’s usually called in the planning world, this middle type of development that we’re starting to have and we’re going to have in the near future.”

Kiniry said just after finishing college, he let a homeless individual live with him for over a year, and it changed both of their lives.

“It’s a whole education of its own to try and help somebody so fundamentally, and see what it’s like,” Kiniry said.

Kiniry said if a student wants to open their home to someone who is homeless, they need to have an upfront conversation about the expectations for living there.

Kiniry said selling homes for as much as we can get can be an action of complicity in a

system that prevents affordable housing. “[Students] can take space where they’re living and rent it out for cheap to somebody,” Kiniry said. “ … it can be like, ‘I’m going to rent out a room here for $200 or $300 to somebody with a disability check.’”

Halle-Schramm said there are also opportunities for students to provide their opinions to the city council and that they get excited when students engage with them.

“I think students often see themselves here for a temporary amount of time, but you’re a resident here too,” Halle-Schramm said. “Especially once you register to vote in the chapel’s residence here, you can serve on boards and commissions, you can come to public meetings.”

Brower highlighted the importance of students contributing to the community. “[Students are] 40% of our population,” Brower said. “We’d love for [them] to participate.”

before, so it’s my first time doing that, and they’re really cool … they’re talented people,” Khan said.

Those hesitant to pursue an art career could be motivated to do so after seeing the passion of these artists, Khan said.

“I think seeing professionals be really honed in on their craft might inspire them and I think just seeing beautiful things — I feel like that’s how you can get involved,” Khan said.

Students from A&M Consolidated High School participated in the Arts Council’s Artist Connect Program, which works to connect students from Title I schools to professional artists, Stott said.

Co-sponsor of the graffiti club and biology teacher at A&M Consolidated High School, Eden Fielder, brought 21 students from the graffiti and art clubs on a field trip on Wednes-

day, Oct. 18, to work on two large concrete signs at The Yard at Caprock Crossing with Wade Thompson, who goes by the artist name FISH. “We thought [Mural Fest] would be a great way for them to actually meet a professional artist, get that experience and learn from them,” Fielder said.

The high school students helped the artists with the murals and learned about graffiti and spray paint techniques, Fielder said. “[FISH] was telling us about how he got work and how he improved through the years, so I think it’s just a really good example for the kids to know that this is something they can pursue,” Fielder said.

The ACBV informed students about the scholarship opportunities they offer and about ways to step into an art career.

“It’s been so amazing watching the students interact with the muralist and just see their eyes light up when these students who are pursuing these art careers see people who actually have successful art careers and are able to talk to them about what their next steps are,” Stott said.

The Arts Council also partnered with Dark Mode Photography this week to offer a learning lab apprenticeship to students at A&M, Stott said.

“We’ve been able to plug in a few students from Texas A&M into the program and they’ve been able to shadow our lead photographer, Tony, as he captures photo, video and different media of the murals,” Stott said.

“That’s been a really good way to support not only the community but also A&M students as well.”

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The Battalion | 10.26.23

Companies don’t care about you Opinion columnist Benjamin Barnes says customer service is frustrating by design

Graphic by Noah Van Soest — THE BATTALION

Benjamin Barnes @Ben_Batt24 I’m willing to bet you’re among the millions of Americans that have experienced customer service hell.

It starts out simple enough with a minor issue, complaint or even just a general question which prompts you to reluctantly contact customer service. You’re first greeted by a poor robotic audio recording that guides you through various prompts. After pressing one key after another, your frustration level gradually builds. Following several aggravating minutes of pressing hashtags and star signs, the robot then instructs you to wait to speak to a representative.

After an eternity of being forced to listen to music that sounds like someone threw silverware in a blender and decided to record it on an Andriod Galaxy flip phone, you hear the most eloquent sentence in the English language: “Hello my name is Bob. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

Despite now being able to speak with an actual person, you still find yourself ready to rip the head off of the unfortunate soul of whoever is on the other end of the line. You know it’s not their fault, yet your rage persists and after a few scripted responses from Bob, you obtain the refund you were after all along.

Was it worth it? Probably not, and now

you find yourself even less likely to contact customer service than you were prior to this ordeal. For a few decades, companies have been cheating the consumer through this soul-sucking process.

Of course, companies aren’t going to give out a refund or in-store credit to every customer that contacts them. However, what if I told you that the 74% of Americans who reported having an issue regarding a product or service are starting to realize the effects of a larger issue.

The issue in question is that the majority of oligarchical behemoths left standing in the American market do not respect you.

Call any major airline, car manufacturer, insurance company, media network, clothing brand, television, phone or internet provider as proof.

Let’s start with the obvious. It’s no secret that customer service is inefficient. Companies know this, and that is precisely the reason they still employ these tactics. Companies with a larger market share couldn’t care less about individual customer experiences because it won’t come close to affecting their bottom line. Not to mention, the endless call queue weeds out the customers who truly want a refund from the Karens who are just looking to complain.

Complaints aren’t uncommon, however.

In this modern age of planned obsolescence, consumers are tired of upcharges on products designed to have a limited shelf life — Apple we’re looking at you. Banned in certain

countries, like France, this phenomenon is most easily observable in phone, clothing and appliance brands. No, you’re not going crazy, the same products you buy now actually used to be made better.

Also tied to this issue is consumerism culture, which has deceived many of us into thinking that we need an annual upgrade causing manufacturers to expedite the assembly process. The result is deficient products that break down after a number of months.

Companies know this, which is why between appearance, durability and manufacturability — the degree to which a product can be effectively made given its fixed design and cost — the durability factor is most likely what will suffer.

Someone should really let these companies know this is unacceptable. If only there was a way to voice these concerns. Alas, this brings us back to the infamous chatbots and elusive agents. If companies are resorting to cutting costs in developing their products, I can guarantee you they’ve also made some lay-offs.

Which, you guessed it, means there aren’t as many people to answer the phones.

Customer service has been the canary in the coal mine all along. By removing physical people from almost every conceivable step in the product’s journey, from the assembly process to customer feedback, companies have opted to instead create artificial barriers between themselves and their customers.

The truth is your favorite brands don’t care about your feelings so long as you are a repeat

customer. These same companies then suffer by having no accountability or being unable to receive feedback from the very people their products are failing.

Want to know how they can stop getting away with it? Stop unconsciously adding items to your Amazon cart — I know we’re all guilty of it. Quit being tempted to buy products from brands like H&M, Zara and Shein whose business models are built around the philosophy of wear twice and toss. Buy clothing and furniture from local retail stores.

Yes, it might cost more, but it will definitely last longer.

Lastly, hold on to products, like your iPhone, for as long as possible. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the new iPhone 15 is better because they keep throwing the word titanium around. If we want better products and to be able to talk to real people, we need to stop supporting companies every time they roll out their latest gilded product. Do you really need new clothing once a month or a new phone once a year? The Nokia 3310 is laughing at you.

The pros and cons are simple. You can either have an excess of poorly-made products and wait on hold for hours at a time because it didn’t turn out how you expected, or start buying less and holding manufacturers accountable.

Benjamin Barnes is a telecommunication media studies senior and opinion columnist for The Battalion.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2023 STUDENT MEDIA

Robert O’Brien --- THE BATTALION

Junior DB Deuce Harmon (11) takes down South Carolina WR Josh Vann (6) during Texas A&M’s game against South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2023 at Kyle Field.

GAMECOCKS COME TO KYLE A&M looks to reverse results of last season’s game against South Carolina

By Hunter Mitchell @HunterM1001 In the 10th installment of the battle for the Bonham Trophy, Texas A&M football looks to right the ship against a struggling South Carolina in the Aggie’s third home 11 a.m. start.

“This is obviously our last road game coming up,” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said. “This is another rocking environment that we’re going to go to, but it’s one of the great venues in college football.”

After a disappointing two-week stretch for Aggie fans, the Maroon and White had

a much-needed bye week after a road loss to Tennessee in which multiple key pieces on the defense suffered injury, including junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and sophomore defensive lineman Walter Nolen.

“Most guys healed up,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “The week was really good for us. Guys needed a couple of days off here and there, so I think for the most part, we should be really healthy.”

The Gamecocks have fallen to an underwhelming 2-5 record so far this season after being picked to finish third in the SEC in the preseason.

“South Carolina’s a very good football team,” Fisher said. “They’ve stumbled here as of late, but they’ve lost some heartbreakers, a couple tight ones.”

In the offseason, the Gamecocks brought in Dowell Loggains as offensive coordinator to replace Marcus Satterfield, who left South Carolina for Nebraska. Loggains previously served as the tight end’s coach at Arkansas.

Led by former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Spencer Rattler, the South Carolina offense has been feast on famine through the air. The Phoenix native is tied for 18th in the country in passing yards, and the Gamecocks are 16th in passing offense.

“The quarterback’s a really good player,” Fisher said. “Spencer’s a heck of an athlete. He can run it, can throw it, can spin it. He’s got experience [and] he understands how to play.”

Despite the passing proficiency, the Gamecocks have struggled to protect their quarterback, tied for 125th in the country in sacks and tackles for losses allowed, just five spots ahead of the last team. Compounding the problem is South Carolina’s inability to run the ball, coming in tied for 121st in the country in rushing offense, pushing its total offense to a middling No. 71 ranking.

“We’ve given up too many [sacks] in SEC games,” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said. “But then you see some of the other teams around us that have given up a lot of

sacks as well. I wish I had a great answer.”

Defensively, the Gamecocks struggle, coming in No. 127 in passing yards allowed.

In its last four games, South Carolina gave up 338.5 passing yards and an average 36.5 points per game. On the ground, the Gamecocks are a mediocre 64th in run defense and are No. 91 in team sacks.

For the Aggies, this game will be decided on both sides of the ball through the air. On the defense, the Aggies’ secondary — who has struggled in games against experienced QBs like Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke — will have to have one of their best performances of the season to avoid a scare against the Gamecocks.

The Maroon and White’s offensive line, who much like South Carolina has struggled, will have to perform better than they have against Alabama and Tennessee. Sophomore QB Max Johnson could find ways to exploit South Carolina’s secondary if he is given time to throw, and this will be crucial for A&M’s offensive success.

PHOTO The Battalion | 10.26.23

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HORSING AROUND

12th annual Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo invited the 12th Man to enjoy two weekends of rodeo, fair events, concerts

By Ishika Samant, Chris Swann, CJ Smith @ishphoto, @chrisswannphoto @cjsmith.photography Tana Friar races down the course during the barrel racing segment of the Brazos County Rodeo at the Brazos County Expo in Bryan on Sunday, Oct. 22.

(Chris Swann/The Battalion)

The Zero Gravity ride spins during the Brazos Valley Fair at the Brazos County Expo on Sunday, Oct. 22.

(Chris Swann/The Battalion)

Bronco rider Noah Ware falls off a horse during the Brazos Valley Rodeo on Saturday, Oct. 21.

(Ishika Samant/The Battalion)

Bull rider Cesar Carrillo prays before riding during the Brazos Valley Rodeo on Saturday, Oct. 21.

(Ishika Samant/The Battalion)

A young fairgoer looks at the baby chicks during the Brazos Valley Fair. (CJ Smith/The Battalion) Trick rider Decotah Jackson performs the Apache Hideaway during the Brazos Valley Rodeo. (CJ Smith/The Battalion)

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B3

The Battalion | 10.26.23

PLAYERS TO WATCH: A&M vs South Carolina

game on South Carolina, representing a major opportunity for A&M’s receivers to have a big day. For Thomas to prove that his hat Texas A&M football finds itself in the same trick of touchdowns in the season opener boat as South Carolina as both teams navigate wasn’t a one-time thing, he’ll need to put the rocky waters of SEC play. When they up similar numbers against the Gamecocks. meet on Saturday, Oct. 28, both teams will TJ Sanders, South Carolina defensive look to get back in the win column for the tackle first time since September following consecA&M had a bye week to put losses to utive losses.

Alabama and Tennessee behind it, but that The Aggies lost two close games in a row doesn’t mean the Maroon and White should before a bye week while the Gamecocks have forget what went wrong in those games. The lost their last three games. The two programs most glaring issue fell on the offensive line, have met each year since 2014, with A&M as the unit failed to give sophomore quarwinning the first eight matchups before fallterback Max Johnson adequate time to find ing 30-24 last season. Here are some players his receivers and make plays. Johnson took to keep an eye on at Kyle Field this weekend. a beating over the two games, being sacked Xavier Legette, South Carolina wide seven times and pressured plenty more. receiver Simply put, the Aggies must improve in With a 2-5 record and a 1-4 mark in conthis regard to finish the second half of the ference action, South Carolina hasn’t done SEC slate strong. That mission starts against much right this season. Legette may serve as the Gamecocks, although redshirt sophoa bright spot, though, with the ninth-most more TJ Sanders won’t make it easy. He’s receiving yards in the nation at 736. The only seventh on the team in tackles with fifth year has been redshirt senior quarterback 25, but paces the team in tackles for loss and Spencer Rattler’s favorite target this season sacks, with 7.5 and 4.5, respectively. with 38 receptions, yet only has three touchSanders is the leader on an otherwise avdowns to show for them. erage defensive line, which ought to provide With a rushing attack that averages less some respite to A&M in the trenches. With than 100 yards per contest, the Gamecocks that being said, the Aggies won’t be able will rely heavily on their passing game. Ratto take their eyes off of the six-foot-five, tler brings experience with 37 starts dating 298-pound lineman. back to his time at Oklahoma, while Legette Josh DeBerry, A&M defensive back has started 27 games. The duo has displayed Following four seasons at Boston Colits big-play ability this season, as Legette avlege, graduate Josh DeBerry has established erages 19.4 yards per catch. himself at the cornerback position in his first A&M may boast college football’s No. year in Aggieland. The Michigan native has 13 passing defense, but that’s not to say the tallied 31 tackles for fourth on the team, 3.5 secondary hasn’t shown its flaws this season. of which were for a loss of yardage. DeBerry That hasn’t been more apparent than in losshas broken up seven passes while picking off es to Miami and Alabama, when the Aggies a pair as well, including one in the red zone allowed 374 and 321 yards through the air, versus Tennessee. respectively. Shutting down Legette is the DeBerry is a reliable option in the secfirst step towards an A&M victory. ondary. Although he showed his weaknesses Noah Thomas, A&M wide receiver against Alabama when tasked with guarding Remember two weeks ago when I mensenior wide receiver Jermaine Burton. The tioned how A&M fans are still waiting for Tide’s top receiver couldn’t be stopped by the encore of junior wide receiver Moose DeBerry, catching nine passes for 197 yards Muhammad III’s performance versus LSU in and two touchdowns. Most of the time, it Chris Swann — THE BATTALION 2022? The same can be said of Noah Thomfelt as if DeBerry didn’t have the size to conas this year. The sophomore lived up to the Graduate DB Josh DeBerry (28) celebrates after a play during Texas A&M’s football game tain Burton’s six-foot, 194-pound frame. offseason hype with four touchdowns over against Alabama at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

DeBerry will face a similar challenge his first two games of the season, but minor should he be matched up with the six-footinjuries have kept his impact to a minimum three, 227-pound Legette. Burton succeedthree catches for a season-high 75 yards. If the 13th-best pass defense, but the Gamecocks since then. ed by out-muscling DeBerry and asserting his However, Thomas turned a corner against the Pearland native has turned a corner, we’ll have the fourth-worst. physicality, which may be the blueprint for Opponents have passed for 305 yards per the Volunteers two weeks ago, reeling in find out this weekend. The Aggies may have Legette as well.

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CHRISTIAN FACULTY NETWORK

We are a group of professors, instructors, lecturers, and administrators united by our common experience that Jesus Christ provides intellectual and spiritually satisfying answers to life’s most important questions. We are available to students, faculty, and staff who might like to discuss such questions with us. For more information about the Christian Faculty Network and its activities, please visit our website: http://cfn.tamu.edu Chris Carson 12th Man Foundation

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Texas A&M softball dominated McLennan College 18-0 during their fifth exhibition scrimmage at Davis Diamond. The meet is one of seven events planned for the Aggies on the fall schedule. After finishing the 2023 season 35-21 and losin in the first round of the SEC tournament, A&M looks for overall improvement before its kickoff series against the South Carolina Gamecocks on March 8-10, 2024.

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B4

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NOTE: This ad presents the personal convictions of the individuals listed herein; the ad does not represent or support any view or position of Texas A&M University or any academic department. The ad does represent and acknowledge the diversity of academic contributions toTexas A&M University by men and women of various race, ethnic group, and cultural background who share the Christian faith.

Texas A&M softball will continue their fall exhibition games with their annual Maroon & White scrimmage at Davis Diamond on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

SPORTS

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The Battalion | 10.26.23

WEEK 9: STAFF PICKS

Brought to you by

Texas A&M vs. South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. on ESPN

Caleb Elizondo

Zoe May

Managing Editor @CalebElizondo7

Editor-in-Chief @MayZoella

The Aggies better not *Richard* around.

Even when I lived there, I was a Clemson fan.

Luke White

Sports Editor @Lukewhite03

3-2-2

Prediction record:

Prediction record: 3-4

ZOE

Hunter Mitchell

Asst. Sports Editor @HunterM1001

CALEB

At least the mascot is original.

Suck my Game[REDACTED].

5-2

Prediction record:

Prediction record: 4-3

LUKE

Kylie Stoner

Pranay Dhoopar

HUNTER

Graphics & Video Editor @dahoopermedia

Asst. Sports Editor @Sportsbystoner

I’ve never been a fan of Gamecocks.

KYLIE

South Carolina started the Civil War.

4-3

Prediction record:

Prediction record: 5-2

PRANAY Ana Renfroe

News Editor @aeoenia

I’m sure they have a great personality.

Prediction record: 5-2

Nico Gutteridge

Asst. News Editor @nico_gjc

ANA

We’re playing WHO?

NICO

Prediction record:

KYLE

Megan Williams

Kyle Heise

Asst. Photo Chief @Kyleheisephoto

Kyle is my father, call me Mr. Field.

Prediction record: 4-3

5-2

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MEGAN

At least they keep their head in the game.

Prediction record:

4-3

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B6

The Battalion | 10.26.23

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 9

By Justin Chen @chen_justin_

1

Georgia 37 1636

6-0

–

2

Michigan 21 1603 7-0

–

No. 1 Georgia @ Florida

Mississippi State @ Auburn

Saturday, Oct. 28 — 2:30 p.m. on CBS EverBank Stadium — Jacksonville, Florida

Saturday, Oct. 28 — 2:30 p.m. on SEC Network Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama

The tale of the tape features two undefeated teams in different fashion.

In one corner, the visiting Bulldogs have rolled through their schedule unharmed. In the other corner is a Gators team that is unbeaten at home, including an upset win over thenNo.11 Tennessee.

The Georgia offense will take a blow, as it lost junior tight end Brock Bowers to injury and will rely more on senior running back Daijun Edwards. Edwards carried the workload last game

against Vanderbilt with 20 carries and a season-high 146 rushing yards.

Leading the high-octane Florida offense is junior quarterback Graham Mertz. Mertz is coming off a career day against South Carolina, throwing for 423 yards and three touchdowns in a slim 2-point victory.

If the Florida offense can keep up with Georgia, there is a real chance for one of the biggest upsets of the season.

It’s been a struggle for these ing streak with back-to-back two programs heading into this wins over Western Michigan weekend. and Arkansas.

Since conference play startThe final score of 7-3 vered, Auburn has dropped its past sus the Razorbacks was the four games. While the defense lowest-scoring college football has been serviceable, the offen- game this season, summarizing sive yardage has been lackluster. an up and down season for MisThey rank near the bottom of sissippi State. the country in yards per game as A win for either team will go opponents have shut down both a long way, as they both head the pass and run game. into the final stretch of games.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs snapped a three-game losPrediction: Mississippi 21, Auburn 14

Prediction: Georgia 41, Florida 31

3

Ohio State 7 1549 7-0

–

4

Florida State 1 1486

7-0



5

1

Washington 1 1415 7-0

 1

6

Oklahoma 1332 7-0



7

1

Texas 1206 6-1

 1

8

Oregon 1203 6-1

 2

No. 21 Tennessee @ Kentucky

Vanderbilt @ No. 12 Ole Miss

Saturday, Oct. 28 — 6 p.m. on ESPN Kroger Field — Lexington, Kentucky

Saturday, Oct. 28 — 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Mississippi

Opening up the late slate has the Volunteers looking to tame the Wildcats in Kentucky.

Both teams are coming off tough losses against the likes of Alabama and Missouri. Though Kentucky had a terrific 5-0 start, including a win over thenNo.22 Florida, they’ve dropped their last two games in unconvincing fashion.

Though Tennessee has dropped two games this season, the defensive line is something

to be afraid of, ranked third in the nation in total sacks.

It’ll be a battle upfront as Kentucky senior running back Ray Davis will look to punch through a Tennessee wall made up of defensive linemen sophomore James Pearce Jr. and senior Tyler Baron.

Overall, Tennessee’s defense and an offense run by senior Joe Milton III have the edge on paper against the Wildcats.

Prediction:Tennessee 34, Kentucky 21

Finishing off this week’s con- out against the offensive juggerference games is Vanderbilt tak- naut in LSU. ing on Ole Miss in what should The offense, led by a backfield be a one-sided affair. of junior quarterback Jaxson Vanderbilt’s losses have kept Dart and sophomore running piling on week after week, losing back Quinshon Judkins, have six games straight. Though yards produced one of the country’s through the air hasn’t been too best offenses, ranked ninth in much of an issue, the Commo- points per game and 12th in dores run game is near nonex- yards per game.

Ole Miss will have an advanistent, ranking as the fifth-worst tage on both ends of the ball as it rushing team in the country.

The Rebels have run through looks to keep its winning streak their schedule steadfastly, drop- going against a struggling Comping their only game so far to modores team.

Alabama and winning a shootPrediction: Ole Miss 45,Vanderbilt 20

9

Alabama 1129 7-1



10

2

Penn State 1078 6-1  4

11

Utah 952 6-1

 3

12

Oregon State 934

6-1

–

13

Ole Miss 878 6-1

–

14

Notre Dame 829 6-2



15

LSU 677 6-2



16

4

Missouri 619 6-1



17

1

4

North Carolina 547 6-1  8

18

Air Force 434

7-0



19

4

Duke 352 5-2  3

20

Louisville 313 6-1 

21

1

Tennessee 294 5-2  3

22

Tulane 274 6-1



23

3

UCLA 240 5-2  1

24

USC 236 6-2

 7

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25

James Madison 227 7-0 NR

The SMP represents the top 25 teams in college football as voted weekly by student journalists across the nation New entrants: James Madison (25) Dropped out: Iowa (23) Receiving votes: Liberty (50), Florida (28), Miami (FL) (38), Kentucky (33), Wisconsin (29), Kansas State (26), Toledo (21), Fresno State (17), Arizona (16), Rutgers (12), Oklahoma State (10), Clemson (8), Iowa (5), Texas A&M (4), Wyoming (4), Georgia State (3), Kansas (3), UNLV (1), Virginia (1)-

Student Media Poll is sponsored by Indiana University Student Media