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Lobwedgephil

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Posts posted by Lobwedgephil

  1. 6 hours ago, StassneyHorn said:

    Q1 job numbers in 2024 are going to be so fucking hot that all the same annoying people will start asking “Will the fed reverse course and raise rates?” Good news on the economy will be bad trading days again.

    Seems unlikely to me. Typical Fed cycle so far, bad news will be bad news. If the Fed starts cutting, well, you can look at the chart and see what happened last few times. 

  2. Spoiler
    Liucci
    Staff
    AG
    I'm not going to say a deal is done to bring Kentucky's Mark Stoops to Aggieland but will say I'm expecting that to be the case as early as tonight. I stated yesterday that there was real momentum on the side of the longtime Kentucky head man being Ross Bjork's choice to succeed Jimbo Fisher as Texas A&M's next head coach and as I type this update, I'm expecting we'll see Stoops arrive in College Station as early as tomorrow.

    I'll have more shortly but barring something hitting a wall over the next hour or so, Mark Stoops will be making the move West across SEC country.

    When I mentioned Stoops yesterday, I was about three days into chasing down said scoop. All of the 'breaking' Ryan Day or Dabo Swinney stuff was simply smoke and mirrors in the agent and coaching world, as the guys drawing the most serious interest down the stretch were Stoops and Duke's Mike Elko, along with Utah's Kyle Whittingham entering the mix late. Arizona's Jedd Fisch was close to receiving an in-person interview, as well, but the Aggies made their choice and didn't look back when going with the man who has led Big Blue Nation for the past eleven seasons.

    More shortly and a full update and video feature breaking down the hire once the news becomes official. 
     

     

     

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  3. Spoiler

    We're closing in on a hire, folks.

    From day one, the goal of Ross Bjork and those involved in finding the next Texas A&M football coach felt like it was to have a hire made shortly (if not as early as the day after) the Ags concluded the regular season at LSU. In other words, if things are still on track (and that's a big if when it comes to coaching searches), we could hear something as early as 48 hours or so from now. Even if that's not the case, it's probably safe to say we'll enter “any day now” mode by the last day of Thanksgiving week.

    • Let's start with the two biggest names everyone seems to be now talking about: Ohio State's Ryan Day and Kalen DeBoer of Washington.

    I was actually in Kansas City last week and visiting with several longtime Ohio State fans and got the same vibe from that particular group that I've gathered from Buckeye fans on social media. If Day loses to Michigan again on Saturday, the majority of that fanbase probably wouldn't shed a tear if the Day-to-A&M rumors were true. That would be an emotional mistake, of course. Day walked into a great situation in Columbus, but he's also 56-6 with three playoff appearances (and possibly a fourth) in nearly five full years at the helm.

    0177055-rkeq-240x135.jpg
    Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
    Day and the Buckeyes face Michigan on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. Ohio State has last two straight to its archrival.

    However, the real question is whether or not the rumors of mutual interest between the two sides are even true.

    I've talked to enough folks to state I am very skeptical this was ever a two-way street. Day leaving a $10 million/year job at Ohio State is far-fetched. The only way I think he'd even have a CHANCE to come into play would be if the Buckeyes fall to Jim Harbaugh and Michigan tomorrow. At that point, will the Ohio State brass be willing to waive some of that buyout in order to push a coach who will have dropped all of seven games in five years out the door? Tough to imagine, right? Now combine that with the fact that my sources have told me that neither Day nor his representation have expressed any legitimate interest in terms of leaving Columbus. I think this is an example of a rumor taking on a life of its own via various social media avenues.

    As for DeBoer, I feel very confident in saying that he was a prime-time candidate for Bjork and the Aggies.

    The issue here is that DeBoer’s Huskies are in the playoff and national title hunt, and I continue to hear that the head man isn't open to any real discussion until after Washington's season.

    Considering that could very well be in early January (or at least after the Pac-12 title game), and there's no guarantee of how interested DeBoer really is, it's tough to see the Ags waiting this one out, barring anything short of Bjork holding a signed MOU or feeling incredibly confident he'd accept the job. That's obviously not the case.

    Two names that I'm keeping a closer eye on than most of you would expect as we are likely to be nearing a conclusion to what has truly been a national search? For me, it's Kentucky's Mark Stoops and Utah's Kyle Whittingham.

    Stoops has done all he can do at Kentucky. He has won 10-plus games in Lexington twice (the two previous ten-win seasons came in 1977 and 1950), and the Wildcats — who play second fiddle to hoops in Bluegrass Country — simply aren't going to overtake Georgia in the SEC East and will always fight an uphill battle for talent against no fewer than eight or nine of the sixteen teams in the new-look conference.

    0168505-yyhx-240x135.jpg
    Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen
    Entering Saturday’s Governor’s Cup game with No. 10 Louisville, Stoops is 72-64 in 11 years at Kentucky.

    Those are the reasons Stoops might leave. The news here is that contacts close to the situation, in Lexington, in the agent world and a couple of other outposts around the SEC have told me that the longtime Kentucky boss is listening and that he's a legitimate target for Bjork and the Aggies. If you're looking for one of these situations where the desires of both sides seem to align, this one looks like a potential match. In fact, Stoops' name is the one I've been hearing a lot more of in recent days, and there appears to be legitimate momentum.

    Whittingham was passed along to me via an outside source with knowledge of the search on Thanksgiving morning, which came as a bit of a surprise.

    I'm following up and plan to do some more digging throughout the day, but this one came from a pretty interesting place. That said, I know the longtime Utah boss is very happy in Salt Lake City and has been rumored as getting closer to calling it a career than making a move. However, that was more than a week ago, and things can and oftentimes do change. It's also worth noting that Whittingham was legitimately interested in the job when Jimbo Fisher was hired six years ago.

    Apart from the fact that I've had multiple sources reference both as candidates, another reason I'd pay close attention here is that — after hiring four straight head coaches who had strong offensive backgrounds since R.C. Slocum — if I were a betting man, I'd lean towards the Aggies next hire being a defensive guy.

    Experienced, defensive foundation, physical football teams, having done more with less, program-builder. Understanding they'll essentially have a blank check to hire an offensive coordinator (and said coach would have to have proven willing to embrace modern offense...that goes without saying, right?), those are the likely characteristics unless one of the big-time but less likely names like DeBoer (yes, he's ascended to that level) or Day end up taking over in College Station.

    • Someone else who fits that description — sans the decade-plus experience as a head coach — is Mike Elko.

    Contrary to a recent report making the rounds elsewhere, Elko is still very much in play and is considered one of the few candidates I'd describe as “top tier.”

    0196604-hdpl-240x135.jpg
    Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
    After four years as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, Elko is 15-9 in a two-year stint at Duke.

    He has been squarely on the A&M radar from day one, and nothing has changed.

    The second-year Blue Devil boss is being dismissed by various outlets, but that's not all the case. While there's likely a bigger, more proven name on the list, Elko has already shown staying power, and I've been told has been quite impressive when explaining his vision for the Aggie program under his guidance.

    • As for Arizona's Jedd Fisch, sources close to the third-year head coach have told me that Fisch is expecting to hear from the A&M brass this weekend, at which time he'll find out if a face-to-face meeting will take place following the Wildcats' season.

    Arizona is done on Saturday unless they beat Arizona State and No. 16 Oregon State upsets No. 6 Oregon, in which case the Wildcats would play in the Pac-12 title game a week later.

    I was first to mention Fisch as a candidate, and it's something that seemed to take on a life of its own early this week, to the point that folks around the country were calling me and talking to me as if it were a lock. It never was. Not close to that, actually, but the up-and-comer is very well-respected in coaching and media circles. Fisch is still very much in the mix, though what I would call a secondary target at this time.

    Pay attention to the phrasing here — “at this time.”

    If Bjork does meet face-to-face with Fisch, things could change in a hurry, as folks I've spoken to say that there's quite a bit of intrigue here. If it's not A&M for Fisch, I'd keep an eye on UCLA and especially Florida if the Gators were to surprise and cut Billy Napier loose after two disappointing seasons.

    • When Bjork and Justin Moore embarked on their search for Rob Childress' replacement, two or three giant names topped the initial list, including eventual hire Jim Schlossnagle, Texas Tech's Tim Tadlock and Tony Vitello of Tennessee. Along the way, Bjork and the Ags came away very impressed with a bit of an under-the-radar candidate, East Carolina's Cliff Godwin. He didn't get the call but may have been much more of a factor with just a little more experience at a bigger, P5 program.

    If there's a similar name that has come up along the way during the A&M football search, it's probably Jon Sumrall of Troy.

    “Beyond impressive” is how he was described to me by a source with knowledge. Tough to imagine seeing A&M as Sumrall's first Power 5 opportunity, but it sounds like he's a rising star who we'll see hit the big time in pretty short order. Just one of those interesting coaching search notes you pick up along the way.

    • A final note: Stop with the Dan Lanning stuff. If anyone is telling you that's still in play, go ahead and eliminate them permanently from your working list. Oh, and as I'm about to hit send on this story, we get a tip from our Mississippi contacts that Lane Kiffin is going to be the next A&M head coach, per "sources very close to the situation." You can't make this stuff up.

     

  4. 4 hours ago, Blotto said:

    The dip-shittery in DC will take this up to the 23rd hour and 59th second. This "showdown" is exactly the kind of political theatre DC thrives on. The presumptive leader of the GOP is on record urging republicans to allow default unless they get "everything they want". Think about that....that gives a lot of political cover to those who have sworn fealty to Trump.

    Probably only a few of these morons are actually willing to torch the economy for their "cause." Enough of Congress will realize the fucking stupidity of a default, and they will scramble to pass some bullshit 30-60 day temporary measure so their own investments aren't proper fucked. And then we can deal with this circus all summer long. But between now and whatever temporary measure they can agree on, I'm betting it gets messier. They want it that way.

    As I mentioned above, VIX seems way too fucking low right now considering the fireworks that could erupt soon. I picked up a pretty good chunk of 5/31 $25 VIX calls  yesterday for $0.22. My hope is that I'll be able to sell half of those tomorrow for a decent profit and free ride the rest into next week or roll them out if need be. I've also collected a nice assortment of June/July puts on stocks that have been ripping higher for no meaningful reasons lately. If VIX spikes, the premiums on those should rise even if the underlying stays relatively flat.

     Maybe this is all a nothing burger, the two parties will come to a rapid agreement on the debt ceiling, and I'll take some losses. But nothing about the political climate in this country makes me believe that is a likely outcome. Chicken fucking is what these people do best. 

    Could work, have only had 5 back to back red days since March, but in hindsight for you, I would have bought more time in Vix. . In 2011, we sold off after the deal was announced. Could be a sell the news event as Treasury adds $1 trillion in t bill sales immediately after passage. But could be completely different as well, one headline and you could be golden. 

  5. On 5/18/2023 at 7:18 PM, Blotto said:

    A stock with an $800B market cap usually doesn't sport a ttm P/E of 180. Look at their recent earnings reports and take note of the revenue and net income trends

     
    May-21
    Aug-21
    Oct-21
    Jan-22
    May-22
    Jul-22
    Oct-22
    Jan-23
    Revenues ($B) $5,661 $6,507 $7,103 $7,643 $8,288 $6,704 $5,931 $6,051
    Net income ($B) $1,912 $2,374 $2,464 $3,003 $1,618 $656 $680 $1,414

    They can keep saying AI on every earnings call, but eventually the revenue/earnings need to keep pace with the NVDA stock price. If I had to guess, this one will fall back down to that $200 range sometime this year. But I hesitate to put my money where my mouth is because this stock has taken TSLA's place as the most ridiculously overvalued stock in the market. Cant buy it out of principle, wont short it out of fear, lulz. For all I know, the damn AI servers are the ones driving the fucking stock price bonkers in a perverted feedback loop. 

    Their earnings call will be interesting next week. NVDA is up 50% in the 3 months since their last earnings call in a flat market. The stock is priced for mf'n perfection......fuck, now just typing this out, I'm gonna talk myself into some deeeeeeeep OTM puts as a lotto ticket. Looks like June 16 $250p's  are ~$1.20. That one month time window encompasses both their earnings call and a likely timeframe for Congress to fuck up the debt ceiling issue. 

    Temptation GIFs | Tenor

     

    Good call, they are certainly acting like the old TSLA, they can put up a 5% day because they feel like it. Fundamentals non factor currently, as long as they say AI constantly. 

  6. 45 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

    Thanks for that, but I'm talking about more than heart rate. 

     

    Watch 8 series :

     

    • Blood Oxygen Sensor and App
    • Take an ECG Anytime, Anywhere
    • Heart Rhythm Notifications

    All of that out of the box, no apps or anything else needed. My dad has heart issues and got him one to keep track of it. 

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  7. Spoiler
    Liucci
    Staff
    AG
    ...and all is fairly quiet, which is a good thing for the Ags.

    Jimbo FIsher and Co. are in the midst of yet another strong close, flipping four prospects previously committed elsewhere over the past couple of weeks, highlighted by El Campo RB Rueben Owens. But we've known for a while that momentum in '23 hasn't come close to matching what the Ags had cooking on the recruiting front last year, That said, the Ags are likely to wind up with a top-15 class following a 5-7 season and, with a couple of late adds, could push for top-10 honors and will do so with a couple of monster signees headlining the list. From there, you'll see Fisher and his staff aggressively attack the portal from now until mid-January, which will probably feel like a second Signing Period in and of itself.

    So as we sit here around 10 pm on Tuesday night and the A&M coaches tirelessly work the phones, let's take a quick look at what's still out there for tomorrow in terms of remaining targets not currently committed to the Ags.

    As of tonight, I"d say there are two prospects who are legitimately worth watching, Louisiana OT Caden Jones and Alabama five-star corner Tony Mitchell.

    Jones told us this week he was planning to wait and announce later in the process and sign in February, but it's one worth watching because the Ags knocked his weekend visit out of the park. Now, Caden could ultimately turn out to be a guy who signs early, keeps it quiet until his announcement, he could wait things out as originally planned or could end up signing somewhere and letting it be known tomorrow. Regardless of how, sources in College Station and Gainesville are aligned in terms of believing this one has a lot of Maroon & White momentum to it.

    Tony Mitchell was a one-time A&M lean and is a longtime Alabama commitment. However, recent buzz has had Hugh Freeze thrusting himself into the mix and Auburn suddenly becoming the most-likely destination for the lockdown cover man. However, as of this evening, the Ags were still very hard at work and chipping away at a young man who has always had quite the affinity for A&M and who Jimbo and D.J. Durkin have prioritized from wire to wire. I wasn't feeling great about the Ags' chances following his weekend OV (it went well but the behind-the-scenes buzz was saying Bama and then, over the past couple of days, War Eagle) but this one has the feel of a wild ride to tomorrow's finish line. Stay tuned, as momentum here will likely flip several times between now and when Mitchell signs.

    And by the way, can we retire 'FlipSZN' and 'HIM' already? Two of the most overplayed, 'look at how cool I am on social media' phrases in the recruiting industry in years and I'd love to them go away for good in 2023.

    Edit to add I still feel great about A&M's chances with both Oklahoma WR Micah Tease and UNC transfer corner Tony Grimes. 
     

     

     

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  8. Spoiler
    Liucci
    Staff
    AG
    Say what you will about the performance - and the second half was pretty rough after such a promising first half (much like the entire team) - but the dude is an absolute warrior. In no way was 13 going to play this week (foot injury, shoulder and a damaged hand) but when Weigman was knocked out with a pretty bad bout of the flu, King stepped up and, to paraphrase, said "If you need me to go, I can go." 

    Critique the bottom line and the execution all you want, it's football after all. Just keep in mind that the dude is doing exactly what I've seen so many say they wish they saw from the entire team and program in light of so many players missing so much action of late.

    And as for Conner, hell yes the true freshman wanted to play. Probably the toughest week of his young career and that's putting it mildly.

    Lots of talk/speculation about being held out, portal and the like but I think we've reached a point in this lost season that just about anything is believable and there's no doubt that Jimbo needs to be on top of and two steps ahead of any and all possibilities - with keeping Conner being Priority 1 and finding an exciting and proven OC 1A - but anything you read having to do with Weigman or his camp not wanting him to play Saturday in order to preserve some kind of redshirt is inaccurate. He and at least one roommate missed Saturday's game (along with a few others) because they were unable to practice all week or play against UF due to being laid up ill. Outside of the 'if anything negative can happen with this team, it will' mode we've clearly entered into this year, I'm fully expecting to see him back on the field making his first SEC road start at Auburn on Saturday. 
     
     
     
    Liucci
    Staff
    AG
    I think Conner realizes he's an incredible part of the immediate future in Aggieland but I also think it's common sense in 2022 to understand that there are outside influences that you'll have to fight off to keep gifted young players like him and several who look like future stars in the freshman class. It's tougher to fight that battle for any program that's losing or has lost momentum. I'm just spitting facts here.

    And I also think Weigman stays and is the guy who leads the Aggies out of this along with a new OC. It's just not going to happen to the point that everyone breathes a big sigh of relief for another few weeks, unfortunately. 
     

     

     

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  9. Spoiler
    As I stated in the stickied article and on Twitter, it was important to get Bravion Rogers back into the class, regardless of how it all went down. This is still a national 100 prospect and a kid that possesses the requisite skill set to be an early impact player at the collegiate level. He was a kid that felt like a must-get at the start of this recruiting calendar, and the Aggies needed to land him. 

    Shortly after his abrupt exit from the class back in early August, I spoke with multiple sources in the area who were confident that the LSU overtures would be short lived and that he'd be back with the Maroon & White rather soon. They were right. 

    Kudos should go to TJ Rushing and Jimbo Fisher. Much like the Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy pursuit last year, the A&M coaches didn't overreact or burn any bridges when Bravion backed away from his verbal pledge. They stayed consistent with their communication and messaging. This staff is full of really talented recruiters who understand the importance of 1) establishing connections and building relationships and 2) playing the long game. It's why you don't panic in the recruitments like this one, or Johnny Bowens, or even David Hicks in the face of OU's momentum. 

    September could wind up being the most impactful month of the calendar for A&M's recruiting efforts. It started with today's recommitment, but there is so much more on the table. Now holding 10 verbal commitments, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that the Aggies add to that number by nearly a handful by the end of the month. 

    It goes without saying that the Miami weekend is big. We anticipate that it's going to rival last year's Alabama weekend in terms of both quality and quantity in the visitor's list. What kind of impact could an electric atmosphere for a night game at Kyle have on a specific kid or two?

    Standout WR Hykeem Williams is expected make a decision later this month, and we still maintain Austin Westlake OL TJ Shanahan's recruitment could come to an end in short order even though he's not set a specific day/time for an announcement. 

    I know y'all hate hearing it, but there's still very much a chance this 2023 recruiting class, while being smaller in number, can still deliver a similar impact to last year's historic group. Now, I'm not saying A&M will finish number one overall, but I am saying they could close on a class that continues their ascent up the elite talent ranks in college football. 

    Just look at the list of players that the Aggies are still in contention for. They won't land all these, but you get the idea. 

    QB Malachi Nelson 
    RB Roderick Robinson 
    RB Jeremiyah Love 
    RB Rueben Owens 
    RB Cedric Baxter Jr. 
    WR Zachariah Branch 
    WR Hykeem Williams 
    WR Andy Jean 
    WR Anthony Evans 
    WR Micah Tease 
    OL TJ Shanahan 
    OL Caden Jones 

    DL David Hicks 
    DL Johnny Bowens 
    LB Derion Gullette 
    LB Tausili Akana 
    DB Peyton Bowen 
    DB Javien Toviano 
    DB Tony Mitchell 

    Finally, as we've stated numerous times, we are hearing enough to make us believe a couple of key 2024s could be ready to come off the board in relative short order. 
     

     

     

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  10. Spoiler

    Throughout much of what seemed like the longest offseason on record, Texas A&M football was in the spotlight.

    The highest-ranked recruiting class of all-time, the fallout, the feud.

    Then came the preseason rankings, which placed the Ags in the thick of the late-summer “contender or pretender” conversation.

    For the past eight months, Jimbo Fisher and his program were at the center of countless “hot take” debates.

    Interestingly enough, that wasn't the case on Saturday afternoon, when the Aggies took on an FCS opponent from just down the road at 11 a.m. on the SEC Network.

    Fisher's squad opened the season ranked No. 6, but there were far bigger games on the SEC slate — namely Georgia-Oregon and Utah-Florida — plus a top-10 tilt pitting Ohio State and Notre Dame at the Horseshoe.

    0171215-npqg-240x135.jpg
    Jamie Maury, TexAgs
    The official attendance at Kyle Field on Saturday was 97,946, but many of those did not stick around for an almost three-hour weather delay.

    Mix in a three-hour weather delay at halftime, and the Ags' season-opener generated far less buzz than could be found around the conference and the country.

    Perhaps that was a good thing, as it was clear as the Aggies didn't necessarily struggle but were only able to gradually pull away from FCS power Sam Houston, eventually claiming a five-score, shutout victory over the Bearkats, 31-0.

    While there was plenty of good to talk about coming out of the season-opener — a pretty damn dominant defensive effort and what could end up being an elite set of wideouts — the Aggies clearly have a lot of work to do and some things to iron out before they're ready to live up to preseason billing.

    Look, teams play games like the one the Aggies did on Saturday for that very reason.

    Still, the whole “teams show the most significant improvement from game one to game two of the season” thing had better be true for the Maroon & White because it appears the Ags were granted all of one week outside of the spotlight.

    Beginning this coming Saturday — when A&M plays host to a very dangerous and explosive Appalachian State squad fresh off of a 40-point fourth quarter vs. North Carolina — the Aggies dive into the deep end for an absolutely brutal five-game stretch.

    Nothing comes easy for Fisher's squad from now until the bye week.

    Appalachian State followed by what should be a College Gameday showdown against Miami. Win those two, and you set up what would probably be a Game-of-the-Week SEC opener with Arkansas. Then comes a daunting road trip to Starkville to visit Mike Leach and Will Rogers, followed by, well, you all know what comes after that.

    For as much as Fisher and his staff (and all of us) would love to have walked away from a six-hour day at Kyle Field with all of the answers on Saturday, the opener was too small a sample size to know if the Aggies are going to have what it takes to make it out of the next few weeks unscathed.

    0171261-hiqo-240x135.jpg
    Jamie Maury, TexAgs
    While the Ags comfortably won on Saturday, it’s still too early to tell what the Maroon & White will look like vs. its SEC schedule.

    Frankly, there's just no way to tell whether A&M will be the freight train or the car on the tracks for the remainder of September.

    It's just too early to tell if the positives on display against SHSU will turn out to be fool's gold and to what (if any) degree wringing your hands too tightly over the negatives is premature.

    That said, what we saw on Saturday and in previous seasons from the Aggie veterans are all we really have to go on.

    It's natural as a fan or even media member to evaluate Saturday's 31-0 win — a game that the Ags led just 10-0 until just before a (very) extended halftime, take a look at the upcoming schedule and begin walking back any SEC title contending New Year's Six predictions.

    Just like that, I've noticed optimism and hope have turned into concern and, for many, expecting the worst.

    Tap the brakes.

    It would be fair to say the same thing had the Aggies steamrolled a team that, despite Sam's wildly successful recent run at the FCS level, they overmatched at every position. While I'd love to see A&M do to the Bearkats what most true championship contenders to inferior opposition in September, I also remember how far out in front of our skis we all got after watching the Aggies roll Arizona State in Houston, knocking off a top-15 UCLA at home and storm South Carolina to open the 2014 campaign to usher in the post-Johnny Manziel era.

    On the flip side, I wouldn't dare revisit the boards in the days following A&M’s 17-12 win over Vanderbilt to open one of the Ags' best seasons of all time in 2020.

    As I sit here on Sunday evening rewatching the game and trying to decipher where the Ags can and should improve and how quickly, I'm also wondering if Florida is as good as they looked en route to knocking off a top-10 Utah team at home and are LSU and South Carolina in for very long seasons?

    Also, how impressed should I be with wins by Arkansas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State? Then I realize it's all still a waste of time.

    Just like that, I've noticed optimism and hope have turned into concern and, for many, expecting the worst.

    Tap the brakes.

    For example, do we worry about Appalachian State lighting up North Carolina for 40 fourth-quarter points, or should the Ags be excited about facing a Mountaineer defense that surrendered 63 to a UNC offense working without all-world receiver Josh Downs?

    Rather than waste too much time, I advise focusing on what we know.

    First, the Aggies will have to play much better football against Appalachian State and continue to improve from there. Anything short of steady week-to-week improvement will doom A&M to repeat what we saw last season, dropping multiple games before facing Alabama around mid-season.

    Considering the opponents and where programs such as Miami, Arkansas and Mississippi State currently reside, the Aggies need to be better than that.

    Even after watching it take the Ags roughly two full quarters to start pulling away from the 2020 FCS champs, I still believe that's the case.

    For starters, the Aggies may have a defense so good that the unit could carry the Maroon & White to some big early-season wins while the offense finds its footing. D.J. Durkin's debut as the A&M defensive coordinator couldn't have gone any better. The Aggies not only pitched a shutout but also kept what has typically been an explosive Sam Houston offense from getting anything at all established.

    Sam's longest play of the game was an 18-yard fake punt. The Bearkats didn't crack 200 yards of total offense, penetrated the red zone just once and were a miserable 1-of-12 on third down. The Aggies choked off the run, generally blanketed Sam Houston receivers and didn't allow a single big play. Durkin's crew managed to do all that despite playing without one if not two starting corners (Myles and Jaylon Jones), starting defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and playing about seven or eight true freshmen extensively.

    Guys like Shemar Stewart, Walter Nolen, L.T. Overton, Enai White, Anthony Lucas, Denver Harris and Smoke Bouie were all on the field early and often. With so many five-star youths likely to make big strides every time they step on the field and multi-year starters set to return to action, the Aggie defense has a chance to be one of the country's best.

    0171192-iftw-240x135.jpg
    Jamie Maury, TexAgs
    Evan Stewart shined with the ball in his hands, finishing his collegiate debut with five catches for 57 yards.

    Did I say, true freshmen? How about #1 and #10 on the offensive side of the ball?

    Evan Stewart and Chris Marshall — A&M's two five-star signees — combined to catch nine passes for 98 yards. Both looked pretty sensational in their college debuts, and Stewart was a couple of misfires away from having about a 130- or 140-yard introduction to college football. However, the passing game, in general, looked a hell of a lot different than what we've seen under Jimbo Fisher thus far.

    To be honest, it looked more like what Fisher did during a remarkable run at Florida State. I know it was only Sam Houston and Haynes King threw a couple of picks, but King also threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns in his second complete game as a starter. The A&M offense attacked the field vertically and pushed it down the field, producing three touchdown passes covering more than 40 yards, surpassing last year's season total in one game.

    Two of those plays came via the King-to-Ainias Smith connection. The senior wideout led all pass-catchers with six catches for 164 yards. Second-year speedster Yulkeith Brown also got into the act, opening the scoring with a 66-yard catch and run.

    Suppose Ainias, Evan, Chris & Co. are as good (and probably better as the true freshmen continue to get comfortable) as they looked on Saturday. In that case, Fisher is working with more skill and talent than he's had on a team since arriving in College Station five years ago. Opponent aside, that much was very obvious on Saturday.

    Of course, none of that will matter moving forward if the Aggies don't do a much better job of blocking. So that leads us to the part about serious concerns as the Aggies continue to wade into the deep end.

    Simply put, A&M was pretty bad up front against a Sam Houston defensive front that will likely be the least talented unit the Ags face all season. The Ags produced 110 yards on the ground and averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. Darkhorse Heisman contender Devon Achane averaged a paltry 2.3 yards per tote on 18 carries.

    0171295-nglj-240x135.jpg
    Jamie Maury, TexAgs
    Running behind a mix-and-match line that featured plenty of rotation, Devon Achane amassed just 42 yards on the ground to go along with one reception for nine yards.

    We're talking about the same Achane who averaged over seven yards per carry a season ago. Unfortunately, Achane was gobbled up virtually every time he touched the football, and King didn't generate much in the designed QB run game, either.

    That's because what turned out to be a very young Aggie offensive line looked nervous and confused, especially in the first half. That is understandable when you consider that by halftime, the starting five featured four players with a combined four starts coming into the game, with Trey Zuhn, Matthew Wykoff and Jordan Moko seeing the first meaningful action of their careers.

    These guys are talented, and it may be as simple as settling in, getting the nerves out of the way and eliminating mental mistakes. Whatever the reason, Steve Addazio knows the A&M schedule doesn't afford this unit time to figure things out gradually. However, if they can do so in a hurry, the downfield passing attack plus Achane with running room would equate to a high-powered and high-scoring Aggie offense.

    We all know what happens when you have offensive line issues in the Southeastern Conference.

    It never ends well.

    As for the quarterback, it was a mixed bag for King, with a lot more good than bad, if we're being honest. However, Haynes did throw a couple of interceptions where it didn't look like he read the safety correctly and/or didn't put the ball where it needed to be on a couple of downfield shots. Either way, that's five picks in two full games for the third-year man from Longview. Not an encouraging statistic when considering those games were against Kent State and Sam Houston State.

    We're also talking about two of the QB's first three starts. King showed he can locate open receivers deep and did connect on about four out of six legitimate long ball attempts, something we haven't seen nearly enough of in College Station. Give #13 some better protection and a running game to keep the Ags ahead of the chains, and let's see how much different things look.

    The bottom line for the offense after Saturday? Block better, run the damn ball and don't give the ball away. Three things that the Aggies can do and will need to do against an Appalachian State squad that can and will produce points (yes, even against a stout Texas A&M defense).

    The Ags now shift their focus from the 2020 FCS champs to one of the more respected Group of 5 programs in the country and a team that narrowly missed upsetting the Miami Hurricanes at this time last year.

    As you all know, the schedule only gets tougher from there for the Aggies.

    The spotlight missed Texas A&M for the first time in what felt like months on Saturday, and the Ags' challenge is to improve enough from game one to game two that folks around the country aren't overly interested in checking in on another one-sided SEC non-conference win.

    In a perfect world, the national attention can wait another week, and Fisher's squad improves and indeed proves ready for prime time.

     

     

     

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  11. Spoiler

     

    Billy, you live for this kinda stuff. How fired up and excited were you after you watched Jimbo's presser?? 

    Well, I was on a plane to Chicago and knew all hell was likely to break loose as soon as I heard Saban's comments the night before. Jimbo wasn't about to take that crap lying down. I've seen a few try to call it unprofessional and act appalled that A&M would hold a formal presser in order for the head coach to reply, but those folks can miss me with that bullshit. 

    When the most visible head coach in the sport calls you out and essentially says you and your program are cheating, I don't give a damn what anyone on the outside thinks, it's time to respond and to respond with as much force as you deem necessary. And that's the second time a coach in the SEC has straight-up accused Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M of cheating. I'm glad Fisher took a blowtorch to his hypocritical ass.

    Any word on what the other coaches on campus thought of Jimbo's press conference? 

    I've spoken to a few since Thursday, and they all loved it. The reaction wasn't at all dissimilar to what you saw on TexAgs. Love seeing coaches like Buzz and Jimbo not put up with shit and defend their players, school, and programs.

    How many commitments do you expect to see in June? 

    Possibly as many as a half dozen or so.

    In the 10/08 game, how fiery does it get, and does Jimbo swing? 

    My gut tells me the two coaches will talk at midfield as they always have in the past, but as I sit here today, it's tough to imagine those two engaging in small talk. Hell, they could go at it again right there at the 50-yard line at Bryant-Denny. That matchup is going to be HEATED, and I love it.

    What kind of message does Jimbo's press conference send to recruits, his players and parents, and what is the overall impact? 

    Well first off, once again, it's Texas A&M and Alabama in the middle of the national news. Just like the last offseason, it's Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban. All that does is help A&M remain in the spotlight and front and center in the minds of recruits across the state and country. 

    2020: A&M, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame for six weeks of playoff debate. Top-five finish alongside those same teams. The 2021 offseason build-up included Jimbo-Nick round one, plus all of the talk centering around whether or not A&M could knock Alabama off. Ags also spent that offseason (and this one) as a preseason top-10 team knocking on the top five. Mix in the unforgettable win over Alabama and now the nation's No. 1 class, one that blew past Bama and Georgia, and you've got a group of '23 recruits who have been accustomed to hearing Texas A&M mentioned among the elite. 

    I know that will rub the '1939' and 'you went 8-4' crowd the wrong way, but that's the truth. Another fact is that recruits don't quite see things the same as rival fan bases or some blatantly biased media types when it comes to this stuff.

    The message it sends? The head coach has your son's back, he's going to defend his players and that Texas A&M isn't going anywhere and won't back down to anyone.

    Does Saban's message and the follow-up damage control cause any problems for Bama recruiting, or is this lost in the news in a couple of months?

    Nah, I don't think it's going to hurt Alabama's recruiting efforts at all. If anything, Saban was saying all of that specifically to get that group of donors fired up and panicking to the point that they'll rally and step up with big-time money to do exactly what he was accusing A&M of doing. That was part of the hypocrisy of the entire speech.

    Thanks for doing these brother. Appreciate you taking the time. 

    Always!

    Did anybody from the athletic department try to talk Jimbo out of doing the press conference or give him parameters before the press conference?

    Doubtful. I don't think anyone was going to convince Jimbo to take a beat and regroup after Saban pulled that level of a stunt. Jimbo was going to do what Jimbo wanted to do at that point, just like Saban, Dabo or Ryan Day would have done.

    You mentioned that this has been brewing..... have you heard anything specific during this past cycle that "God" has said about A&M, Jimbo, or our program via recruits or other coaches? 

    I've heard a lot over the years when it comes to Nick Saban and his thoughts on Texas A&M and what type of threat they are. Since Fisher's arrival in Aggieland, things have escalated significantly in terms of the powers that be in T-Town considering the Aggies a viable threat. 

    Already this cycle, I have it on excellent authority that Nick Saban and the Alabama staff have spent a LOT of time dragging A&M through the mud and negative recruiting the Maroon & White, to the point that several prospects have returned home to Texas and made sure the Aggie staff was aware of what was being said. They're spending a lot more time in Tuscaloosa on those visits trying to work over Fisher and A&M than they are even Georgia or LSU.

    Do Saban's remarks hurt him on the recruiting trail?

    I don't imagine they will, no.

    Can Olin please ask the following question to Jimbo next presser? "Will you beat Saban's ass this year? 

    Well after Olin got called out by Pat McAfee, he'd better get whatever question he has out in short order!!! That was hilarious, btw. I have a feeling things will calm down on the Fisher/Saban front for a while now and just simmer until October 8.

    Most media I've seen are quick to claim that Saban's comments were "calculated." Curious about your thoughts on this and if so what was he trying to accomplish and what did he actually accomplish? 

    I think first and foremost, the man is simply a sore loser. Period. He's an adult jackass. Was probably an arrogant jackass when he was younger and is now an adult jackass. Leopard doesn't change its spots. He's a sore loser, and he lost to Jimbo and A&M on the field, then lost to Kirby in the title game, and then lost in the recruiting race. 

    Beyond that, however, I do believe Saban was trying to scare a sense of urgency into the Alabama folks in attendance at the speaking event and in no uncertain terms send the message that they need to do a better job than they've been doing. He's also trying to shine as bright a light as possible on Jimbo and the Aggies because the guy is believing what he's hearing out there regarding A&M and NIL. 

    Of course, he's going to believe it because, if it's true, it explains away how Alabama lost several big-time players to the Aggies in 2022. At the end of the day, Saban doesn't want competition or parity when it comes to him being able to get virtually every player he wants while keeping his dynasty rolling, and that's especially true at a time when he knows he doesn't have too many years left coaching. 

    And don't get it twisted, he's also wanting his very pointed statement to lead to Fisher and the Aggies feeling the pressure and need to dial back whatever he thinks is going on in College Station, and that was his way to shining a very bright, very negative light on the Ags.

    When does Tony Mitchell‍ commit? 

    I still think that one has some time until he makes an announcement, but his A&M OV is set, and the Ags are still in a pretty damn good spot here. Again, as I say with all of these OOS five-stars, the competition is going to be VERY tough, which means a roller coaster ride at times to his announcement. But as of today, I'd rather be in A&M's spot than anyone else's.

    When does Jimbo finally take Nick's call? Personally, if it was me? Never. 

    I don't think things smooth over for a while. I think that bad blood will last until at least Saban is retired if not both of them. While he's at it, Jimbo may as well reply to Steve Spurrier's tired ass, as well. The Old Ball Coach just couldn't help getting a dig at the former Florida State Seminole boss, now could he?

    It's pretty clear Fisher was pissed, and he articulated the reasons why well. Aside from taking offense on behalf of the players, recruiting staff and the university at large, this was clearly personal to him. If you rewind the tape 12 months, Saban and Jimbo were jawing in the media, but it seemed like it was coming from a place of friendly — if fierce — professional competition.

    By all appearances, the two seemed like friends (to the extent anyone seems like Saban's friend). I know you can't speak as Jimbo, but how much of what we heard do you think came from that personal relationship between the two? 

    Make no mistake, that was very personal. Look, I'll be as blunt as I can here and say that response wasn't something that came out of nowhere after Jimbo heard Nick's comments. That's been a while in the making. 

    Last summer, last year's game, Saban running down Fisher and the Ags on the recruiting trail, a series of hotly-contested recruitments, Alabama attempting to poach one of the Ags' best-returning players during the off-season...the list goes on and also included a couple of other snide, condescending remarks from Nick aimed at Fisher and the Ags along the way.

    How do you think the national perception of Jimbo and A&M has changed over the last few days? 

    I think folks loved the drama and shock of seeing someone in college football — and someone who has some real juice and is a big name — go after Saban like that. I just think folks were reminded that Jimbo isn't going to back down from a fight in case they'd forgotten. With that said, no one is changing their mind either way when it comes to how A&M signed the No. 1 class of all time. They'll believe what they're going to believe.

    Have you heard any comments about this from within the TXHSFB coaching ranks? Watching Jimbo go to bat for his players had me fired up. 

    Not really. I've had a couple reach out, mainly laughing or fired up about it and some asking some of the same questions you guys are (the background and build-up, etc).

    What are our chances with the other top Alabama recruits Peter Woods‍ and Jaquavious Russaw‍? 

    Russaw is going to take some work, but the Ags are more in the hunt there than many believe. Worth keeping a very close eye on. Mitchell is still the most likely from the Tide's home state, however.

    Who do you think we sign on the OL this year?

    I'm betting we see a couple of OOS additions, with the most likely being Micah Banuelos‍. In-state, I still love the Ags' chances with TJ Shanahan‍ and Harris Sewell‍. Five is the number.

    I'm following up on this question with another question. Why do some members of the media seem so hell-bent on gaslighting to defend everything Nick Saban says? "Oh, he didn't really say what you think he said." 

    I think it's obvious. It's just the path of least resistance. It's easier to side with the guy who wins all the championships and who has made a career of being a complete jackass to the media. 

    Over time, he's turned most of them into ass-kissing yes-men and Saban fanboys.

    Any portal targets we should know about? I'm assuming we'll go after the grad transfer market. 

    Not at this point in time, no. I'll let you guys know if and when that changes, but the Ags really only have one spot.

    Will we become the bad boy of College Football, aka Miami Canes, once upon a time?

    If A&M wins a championship with this class, there will be a hell of a lot of folks around the country who will absolutely HATE to see it happen. Unless it's A&M-Alabama (could you imagine THAT), I'd be willing to bet most outside of College Station will be rooting against A&M ‘buying a championship’ in their warped reality. 

    Imagine the hypocrisy or naivete, to feel that way when A&M won it but not when Kansas, UNC, Kentucky or Duke win one in hoops or when Saban and Dabo or Kirby or LSU get it done in football. Incredible.

    Would you say that this year's team has what it takes to beat Bama on the road and make a statement? 

    I'd have to wait and see who's playing quarterback for the Aggies and how he fares from mid-September to early October, but yes, I do think they'll be good enough that they should have a shot. Still, let's not lose sight of the fact that this year's Alabama team should be the clear-cut best in college football when things open up coming out of August.

    Billy thanks for all you and TexAgs does for our fan base. There really is no comparable "board" for another school anywhere by a large margin.

    Really appreciate that. I'm always going to go to bat for our Aggies when necessary.

    In your opinion, if Jimbo/A&M doesn't respond at all or in a very PC way to Saban's comments does Sankey still reprimand the czar? 

    No chance in hell. Zero chance.

    Would you say we have three rivalries now, Bama, LSU, and t.u.? 

    Fair to say, yes. The Alabama/A&M rivalry has a real chance to heat up in the same way Alabama/LSU did a little more than a decade ago.

    Do you think Jimbo throat punches Saban at media days? 

    Shoot, I'd be more interested to see what happens at the SEC meetings in Destin next week.

    Does Saban sleep in Cinderella's Castle when he goes to Disney World with his grandkids?

    Didn't even know that place existed.

    Does paw tuck him in? 

    That's probably Legend's job.

    Do you think Bobby Burton is going to "come out" in the near future or are you hearing that will be later in the fall?

    I'm ignoring part of the question but taking it in a more serious direction. What I'd be interested in is finding out whether or not he's a primary player in the Texas collective. Perfectly legal but would be interesting to know, regardless.

    Prediction on the game and gameday environment at Alabama? 

    Whatever a 10 is, this will be bigger. If A&M navigates what I think is one of the toughest first five games in the nation (Sam Houston, App State, Miami, Arkansas at Jerryworld and at Mississippi State) and rolls into T-Town unbeaten? It'll be the biggest game played there since the '19 showdown with LSU.

    Do you believe we can get any quotes/reactions from future recruits/current players on Jimbo's presser yesterday? 

    I'd like to have Howell and Brauny ask around in some of their upcoming interviews for sure. Will be interested to hear the reaction.

    Provide some known examples of Alabama cheating on the recruiting trail, please...

    Are you a Alabama fan infiltrating my Q&A thread or what? Did Saban or Lane Kiffin provide any known examples of Texas A&M cheating on the recruiting trail? Because they sure as hell have levied the accusations.

    While you're here, one I know of since Fisher arrived at A&M is a big-time (high-four star) prospect choosing between A&M and Alabama. On his official visit, no less, a then-Alabama assistant (a notorious cheater at every stop, mind you) texted said player and told him — in writing — point-blank, "Whatever A&M is paying, we'll double it." Ballsy move. The prospect chose A&M. Before NIL. Go figure.

    You've said we need to get better at NIL. Stacked is certainly one way to do it and thanks for putting that together. How else would you approach that issue? Do we need a public website with a shopping cart and a catchy name like the Tech deal I saw elsewhere on boards?

    Not sure exactly, as I've been up to ears with the new things we're doing at TexAgs, but hopefully, the right people at A&M are watching what's going on around the country. If and when there are great ideas, I'd like to think the powers that be on the NIL side of things away from athletics and the university can move swiftly in that space and adjust/improve when the opportunity presents itself.

    How does someone give $1000 or $5000 if they don't know any big money Ags in the "collective" Surely there's some pent-up supply out there right?

    So there's this little thing called 'Stacked'...

    Thanks for working on your time off. Would a thought you'd be "safe" in late May. Lol. 

    I learned right about the time I was working my way through a Cabo trip on back-to-back summers in '10 and '11 that Texas A&M going to the SEC meant 'time off' was always going to be a moving target.

    Who do you see right now as the true over-the-top guys that Jimbo can use to elevate his offense? What is the attitude of the players as they prepare for fall camp? 

    The attitude was excellent coming out of spring, but I can only imagine that's going to go up a notch when they return next week following this dust-up with Jimbo and Saban. I also think the newcomers plus all of the guys returning who missed spring ball are going to really lead to a noticeable spike in the competition levels at several spots, not to mention bring a jolt of energy and excitement.

    Which freshman (who we won head-to-head with Bama) makes the big play and makes Saban's head explode? 

    Well, the ones that would probably drive him the craziest would be Anthony Lucas‍ , LeVeon Moss, Denver Harris‍, Shemar Stewart‍, Evan Stewart‍ or Chris Marshall‍. 

    If Saban was on fire would Jimbo bother peeing on him to put it out or just let him burn? I'm going with option two. 

    You know what's hilarious about this question? About 20 years ago when Nick took the job at LSU (and not a single assistant opted to join him on the plane from East Lansing to Baton Rouge, I knew a coach who Saban offered a job. That coach told me that one of his closest and most respected friends in the profession said, "If he was on fire, I wouldn't piss on him to put it out." After hearing that, said coach remained where he was at.

    You said a few times you thought our three permeant rivals would be LSU, sips, and MSU. Why no Arkansas? 

    Just haven't heard the Hogs mentioned at all when it comes to A&M and how the 'permanent rival' thing shakes out.

    Have you ever asked any Bama boosters about "The Machine" and what it is exactly they do? 

    No, I haven't ever asked about it, but I'm not naive enough to think for a second that Saban hasn't been buying players since his days at Michigan State and especially going back to LSU and now Alabama.

    Over/under on how many rounds Saban would last against Jimbo? (Using regulation weight boxing gloves). 

    First off, he's a lot older. Second, he'd be out of there in round one unless he took some time off and trained in Alabama with Deontay Wilder...

     

     

     

  12. Spoiler
    Who do you think will eventually win out the starting qb job and why?

    I really don't have a firm stance here right now. And, to be honest with you, I don't think Jimbo or Darrell Dickey do either. This was a very competitive battle coming out of spring, and there are so many dynamics at work that it could be even MORE competitive come August.

    First off, far too many of you are basing your thoughts on this thing on what you saw during the spring game. Bad approach. Terrible approach, actually. It was one practice out of fifteen and one scrimmage, and quite frankly, none of the three QBs excelled throwing the football on that windy (as hell) day.

    I'll say something about each guy and move on for now:

    Haynes King? He is someone the head coach and the players were 'all in' on entering last season and again when he was carving up the defense during bowl practices. He's still that guy. He's also that guy who is now staring down much better competition. One of those dudes is Max Johnson.

    Max? Had a very good spring, which is exactly what Jimbo expected. A&M game aside (still not happy about that one), Fisher knew that the LSU offensive scheme and coaching were a complete train wreck in Johnson's two seasons on the Bayou, and he also knew Max had no running game and was without his best WR. Max is an NFL-level passer and is a much better athlete than folks give him credit for, something he showed in Aggieland from day one.

    Weigman? As talented a true freshman QB as I've seen arrive at A&M since probably Reggie (Johnny was incredible, but I wouldn't have said as much following his first spring on campus). Like Manziel, Weigman has superstar potential as a QB and playmaker.

    I still think Haynes or Max ultimately get the QB1 call entering the season, but this is truly a three-man competition.

    Can we expect a busy summer of football commitments?

    I actually think the month of June will be a little busier than most expect. There is a lot of “beneath-the-surface” activity, similar to last year when I predicted the high-magnitude earthquake for the Maroon & White. Jimbo and the Ags are about to upset some folks around the country once again with their early-summer recruiting wins.

    Your best guess at our starting 5 defensive backs? Really interested to see who ends up starting at corner as we essentially have 3 starters all back.

    If I'm taking just a guess today I'd say Jaylon Jones, Tyreek Chappell, Antonio Johnson and Demani Richardson, with the nickel being up for grabs. But there's a world in which I could see Denver Harris grab a starting job at corner fairly quickly and one of the starters playing at nickel. I think Myles Jones is a guy we don't talk about enough, and he's going to play a LOT this fall. As will Jardin Gilbert and Bryce Anderson.

    For your summer concert series, your thoughts on the ACL lineup that was just released?

    Good question. Listen, I'm not a big P!nk promoter, but I randomly decided with a dinner date to go see her on like a Monday night at the last minute a couple of years ago. She put on a badass show. Red Hot Chili Peppers by themselves are going to make me want to attend as they're probably my favorite group if we're talking over the last 25 years or so.

    TBH, there ain't much else in there that makes me say, "I HAVE to go see them!" I'd have to look again, but it feels kind of light behind Chili. Any suggestions on a couple of groups on that list I need to listen to?

    Do you think Micah Dallas' issues are just between the ears?

    Yeah, I do. I think he's going to return to form. He wasn't an All-SEC type of pitcher earlier this season, but he was very effective. If the Ags can get him back to that, they'll be a real threat to go to Omaha. Look, I think Micah is going to be called upon in the postseason in either multiple key moments in relief and probably even as a starter. The Ags are going to need him and more than a couple of other guys to step up on the bump at the right time in order to get past their own regional and then the supers. The good news is we've seen it from Dallas, and there are several dudes who have shown flashes of really being effective in a spot or even a start.

    I’m starting to get the feeling that Jim Schlossnagle and Nate Yeskie will work some magic, and it might be someone different at several steps along the way.

    Go to breakfast drive-thru and order in town when you're in a rush

    Drive-thru? Shit, I'm an Egg McMuffin and a coffee guy, but I also love the Chick-fil-A egg white grill but go with the fried chicken breast. It just goes great with the egg white and the English muffin. Costa Vida breakfast tacos are excellent, and there's a spot I pick up on Wellborn called Polly's that is great too.

    More hair product?
    Nuno
    Jimmy Johnson

    Definitely Jimmy Johnson. Nuño probably doesn't use a whole lot. Contrary to what “Big Shooter” or “Zipshit” has to say, Slow Break Dave has great, natural hair.

    Will it take the offensive line several games to Gel or are they experienced enough to Gel fast?

    I think they're experienced enough with three returning starters and possibly a fourth who has started several games (Akinola Ogunbiyi) to gel very quickly under Steve Addazio. It will be interesting to see which unit rounds into the form the most quickly, the OL or DL. That D-line is so incredibly loaded with talent, but it's young (still have a trio of third-year guys plus two second-year five stars, mind you). That said, I think the OL hits its stride very early.

    Do you think other SEC teams have staffers scrolling this board and others to read practice/random updates to try to get additional intel on their opponents?

    Yes, they absolutely do. However, it's my experience that that is much more prevalent when it comes to sneaking around the various sites in search of recruiting information.

    Two questions:
    The safe bet mid to long term has to be starting Weigman yr 1, right?

    Torchy's Tacos or Fuzzy's Tacos?

    It may end up being that way but on one condition: He's got to clearly outperform the two veterans. This is a team that is built to win in many other spots and to win big now (as in this season), and if the Aggies can do that, Jimbo & Co. will stack back-to-back classes that are every bit as elite as Alabama and Georgia. By the 2023 season, A&M will have as loaded a roster, top-to-bottom as anyone in the sport. Fisher knows that the best is yet to come for his program — namely in '23 and the ensuing stretch — but the fact is making the right QB choice for THIS season and the result being strong play at the position could very well result in the Aggies making a real run at an SEC title and playoff now.

    Torchy's. I tend to forget we even have a Fuzzy's because the location is so bad (would've been the perfect spot back in 1997 or so). I have heard that Rosa's breakfast (particularly the migas) is outstanding, however. Need to try it, but College Station now has so many good sit-down breakfast spots that I tend to get sidetracked on the random days that I decide to take the ride over there.

    Who do we sign at RB and WR in this class?

    Running back is tough, but the Ags have an excellent shot at their top two targets — El Campo's Rueben Owens‍ and Edgewater (FL) standout Cedric Baxter Jr.‍ (he's visiting in June and has had A&M at or near the top since the start of his recruitment). Another interesting prospect is San Diego Lincoln's Roderick Robinson‍, a 220-pounder who was offered this week by Georgia and whose stock is soaring. There's a connection there in that he and his father were big Florida State fans when Jimbo led the Seminoles to the national title, and Robinson is also coached by former A&M standout Jason Carter. I feel very good about the Ags signing one of these three. I think the actual need is two backs in this cycle, so we'll see if Fisher and Tommie Robinson can pull that off.

    At WR, the in-state guys getting the big push are obvious: Longview's Jalen Hale‍ and Johntay Cook‍ of DeSoto. But the Ags have as good a shot to sign Fort Lauderdale (FL) star Hykeem Williams‍ as they do any of their OOS targets. He's a borderline five-star and a guy that the A&M staff is very familiar with. A second receiver from the Sunshine State who the Aggies consider a “screaming” take is three-star and former Miami commit Andy Jean‍. I think it's safe to say landing two of these four is the goal, and I would expect A&M to try and sign three overall at the position.

    Some predict our defensive line may be better than last years. What do you think?

    See a few questions below. It has a chance by mid-season or during the November home stretch. Interesting to see how quickly they hit a stride of playing great football because, despite losing four starters, there IS some experience in the group, but it's probably more 'they're loaded with future NFL players' depth and elite talent than anything else as we enter the season. Exceptional talent mixed with about four dudes who have played, and it shouldn't take long for the A&M front four to be as good as anyone in the league (save maybe veteran UGA and Alabama groups). In 2023 and' '24, I think we'll be talking about the A&M defensive line being the best in college football.

    I've always enjoyed your stories about living with and hanging out with A&M football players when you were in school. It also brings a lot of fun to TexAgs radio, as it's easy to see the friendship y'all have. My question is how did you end up rooming with those guys? I don't think I've ever heard how that came about.

    Long story made short, I met Hunter through a neighbor/lifelong friend who lived with Amber at the time those two started dating. I was already living with a couple of Hunter's teammates at that time (Ryan Kern and the late Trasen Maresh). We all just kind of started hanging out, and from there, the fellas on those teams were I guess you could say my fraternity, and are still my brothers to this day. We basically were three or four to an apartment or house from about 1995 on, and the list of roommates is pretty funny if you ever put it down in writing. Somehow, I also managed to weave in about a half dozen of my best friends from high school, as well. Some very entertaining stories to be told, for sure.

    Also, who do you think starts game one at both DE spots and who ends the season at the DE spots? Thanks and Gig 'Em!

    I think in game one, you're talking Fadil Diggs and Tunmise Adeleye. I think several of those guys will play, but if there's one name I could see forcing his way into the starting 11 fastest, it might be Shemar Stewart. I know Walter Nolen's talent level sits at about 100, and he's going to be a game-changer inside. Still, Stewart is an absolutely ridiculous prospect.

    When do you expect the final decision to be made on the conference alignment going forward (i.e., fixed opponents vs pods)?

    Probably within the next couple of weeks. As I've said several times now, I do NOT expect a pod format. I've heard that the most likely scenarios are either an eight or nine-game scheduling format. If it's eight SEC games per team, you're looking at one permanent rival and then seven rotating opponents. In both formats, every team would play every SEC foe in a two-year span, and in four years, every team (and in theory player) would see every SEC venue.

    Great for the players and fans, but what about rivalries? That's where the nine-game league schedule comes in and why it's my favorite.

    Three 'permanent' opponents that each team would see every year and then the other twelve teams in the league appear on your schedule in alternating seasons, six one and the other six the following fall.

    In a nine-game schedule, A&M and Texas would 100 percent square off every single season, as the Ags' permanent opponents would likely be Texas, LSU and probably one of the Mississippi schools.

    If the conference votes in favor of an eight-game schedule, however, it's my understanding that the Aggies and Longhorns would NOT play every year but rather every other season. Why? Because, wait for it, the Texas-Oklahoma Red River Rivalry in Dallas would be the one annual face-off for the Big 12 partners arriving together in 2025.

    So much for the Longhorn narrative saying it's Texas A&M that would stand in the way of an annual game being played.

    Based on what I'm hearing, there is still a very slight lean within the conference for an eight-game schedule, but multiple sources I've talked to believe a nine-game schedule will eventually win out. By eventually, I mean in fairly short order because, as I said, I'm expecting this to be all sorted out in a matter of weeks.

    If you're wondering, Texas A&M is in favor of the nine conference game format.

    Favorite player on this baseball team. Alright, you can pick two.

    Sheesh, that's a really tough one. I'm a big fan of Jack Moss because he's a guy who hits and plays first base like I wished I could growing up! Dylan Rock would be the other name on that list. Dude is just nails and plays baseball like he's a damn middle linebacker.

    I'd really like to get Holstein back in the fold but it just doesn't feel likely. What are our chances here?

    Zero. I think the Ags have moved on from Eli Holstein‍ and are looking elsewhere. That recruitment will be an interesting one to follow from wire to wire.

    I heard this year's DL is going to be downright nasty. You hearing the same?

    It has a chance to be. Fadil Diggs and Tunmise Adeleye both looked VERY good this spring, and folks forget how talented McKinnley Jackson and Shemar Turner are on the inside. Isaiah Raikes is slept on by most outside of the Bright Complex, and the true freshman class is so deep with incredible talent that I'd set the over/under at 2.5 when it comes to dudes who will be ready to make a legitimate year one impact (plus another couple who will be good enough as true fish to provide in-game depth).

    % chances we finish with the #1 class again?

    Next to zero. Some dumbasses in the national media will take the bait and fall for the "A&M couldn't pay $30 million again" narrative to ensue, but the simple fact is the Aggies won't sign nearly enough players this cycle to land a class that competes for No. 1.

    What they will do is ink another group of ELITE prospects, land comfortably inside the top-10 (and probably higher) and rank even higher in the 'average star ranking' department. It's going to be another exceptional class, loaded with game-changers on both sides of the ball.

    Prediction as of today on who is starting at QB against Sam Houston?

    If I HAD to pick today, I'd say Haynes King, but I think the battle for game-one starter is essentially a coin flip at this point. Max Johnson is going to make this battle as good as any since Jimbo has arrived at A&M.

    Favorite 2023 prospect on the national stage that you think we have a better than even shot at bringing in the fold?

    Florida RB Cedric Baxter Jr.‍ and five-star CB Tony Mitchell‍.

    Who is the recruit you want most in this year's class???

    In order, Anthony Hill‍, Tony Mitchell‍, Rueben Owens‍/Cedric Baxter Jr.‍, David Hicks‍.

    Are conference baseball tournaments among the dumbest things going right now?

    Football - Big moneymaker for conference.
    Bssketball - Decent money maker.
    Baseball - 18+ innings of wasted pitches for no damn reason.

    I don't think you're wrong.

    The on-again, off-again NCAA is saying they are going to enforce NIL now. Do you have any concerns A&M has done anything the NCAA won't like?

    No, and I also don't think the NCAA is going to do a thing to police NIL because everything is so different from state to state, among other reasons. Now I do think they'll try to implement some regulations, but we'll see.

    What scheduling format would you initially favor for a 16-team SEC and why?

    Three permanent rivals and rotate the other 12, six each year, for a nine-game conference schedule.

    There seemed to be a fair amount of caution from you on the radio recently with regards to the upcoming season although I could have misinterpreted your outlook. Shouldn't we be at a point that we have expectations of 2 losses or less?

    Possibly. If not this year, then next. So much of that is going to depend on a first-year starter at QB.

    Our depth and talent are at an all-time high. At what point is it ok for us to set our sights on the ultimate prize and expect as much?

    Next year ('23) and beyond, but it's possible this year. It's also fair to set your sights set on a New Year's Six bowl, IMO.

    Predicted record in FB this fall?

    11-2 with an NY6 bowl win.

    Are there any new developments in the possibility of the Ags bringing depth at OT or LB through the transfer portal this summer or has that ship sailed?

    No developments that I'm aware of.

    I feel like the San Antonio and surrounding areas aren't really recruited hard. Any reason for this? Also, do you see the Aggies jumping in on Anthony Evans‍ out of Converse Judson? They seem to have good luck at that school.

    Love the fact that they offered the speedster this week. He's got big-play potential and big-league, SEC jets. Good offer.

    You can bring back one of these players to re-join the team and play the upcoming season with our current roster (as their prime college versions), who is it?

    Mike Evans
    Myles Garrett
    Luke Joeckel

    So unbelievably tough because of what Joeckel would do for the OL and Evans on the outside. It's one of those two. I actually think I'd go with Mike, but it's CLOSE.

    How do you really feel about Bobby Burton?

    Honestly, he's not someone I think about except for the day or two when one of his stories makes the rounds like it did a couple of weeks ago.

    Howdy Looch!! Thanks for all of your in-depth and thorough work You do for all of TexAgs!

    Appreciate it brother!

    Any information on the status of the injured spring Aggies?

    Marquis Groves-Killebrew is essentially a redshirt for this season. Gabe Brownlow-Dindy is on schedule, and it sure looks like he'll be ready fairly early in the season. He's progressing very nicely per all accounts. Need to check on Bobby Taylor (knee) and Jarred Kerr (back).

    When will the rest of the 2022 class be on campus?

    In roughly two weeks. Jimbo is beyond fired up, in case you're wondering.

    You may have addressed, but I have not seen it. The drivel from Bobby Burton and his ilk, insinuating the Aggies use the NIL to pay recruits, any further thoughts? It's almost like they are just throwing stuff out there just to wreck some havoc. Or they are praying the NCAA finds anything. Thoughts?

    I'll have more on in a write up I plan to do on my trip, but they're just SPRINTING with what they hear and the rumors out there. They are hoping something sticks and the Aggies face some sort of discipline for what these hacks are convinced they've done (which is pay recruits and lock in deals before they sign). These folks are being fed information from their sources at the schools they cover and seem to lose sight of the fact that Texas A&M signed a LOT of guys who were courted heavily by places like Texas, Alabama and others.

    Do they really think these kids don't talk about what they're being offered at other places? Do they think Jimbo and the A&M staff aren't privy to that information? Something about glass houses, which Nick Saban should consider since the Tide actively tried to poach at least one — if not two — prominent current A&M players during the offseason.

    Bigger impact on the next class: Revealing of the facility upgrades, or the fact that the previous class was #1? (Iron sharpens iron, practicing against the best and playing alongside them)

    A combination, but I think the whole No. 1 class thing and beating Alabama has the guys in the Class of '23 believing they'll come to Texas A&M and win a title.

    How many true fish will be starting this year by game 3?
    Over/under 3.5

    By game three, I think we'd be looking at possibly Jake Johnson, Evan Stewart and perhaps a DL and a DB. So I'm going to go under in game three, and by mid-season, I could see as many as five starting.

    you comin to my grad party?

    When is it, Coop?

    If the SEC goes to three permanent opponents, not pods, who would you want? Also, I would prefer to alternate the other six EVERY year. You can still go to every school every four years, but less chance of missing a great player or team. Your thoughts?

    See above. I'd like LSU and Texas and think it would be LSU, Texas and Mississippi State.

    How would you describe the culture of this 2022 football team so far?

    Based on what I'm hearing at roughly the midway point (summer offseason still to go), I'm pretty confident that this is a tight-knit team that is taking on a bit of an 'us against the doubters' mentality. Very confident group. Will still need to see who emerges as the true leaders as the season draws near. Guys like Demani, Ainias, the QB position, Jaylon Jones and Fadil Diggs come immediately to mind.

    Which Aggie has the best rookie season in the NFL?

    I'm going with Kenyon Green. With Micheal Clemons coming in at a close second in New York.

    You the man Liucci!

    Gracias my friend!

     

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