Texas A&M just released their football schedule for the 2011 season, so here's the breakdown, game-by-game.
Sept. 4 vs. SMU (6:30 pm, FSN)--The campaign begins on a Sunday evening against June Jones and the Mustangs. SMU has had a resurgence and will provide a good opening test for the Aggies, but this one should be no problem.
Sept. 17 vs. Idaho (6 pm)--The good news is that all of our opponents this year are FBS. Idaho was surprising last year in the WAC, but again this is just a tune-up after an early bye-week.
Sept. 24 vs. Oklahoma St. (6 pm)--Big 12 play starts with a bang between two teams expected to contend for BCS bowl bids. If last year's thriller is any indication, this one should be good.
Oct. 1 vs. Arkansas (TBA, @Arlington, TX)--Is this the year A&M finally wins in Jerryworld? This has the possibility of being the second straight week against a top 10 team for the Aggies, who will hope that wins in both will have them climbing in the rankings as well.
Oct. 8 @ Texas Tech (TBA)--Texas Tech has improved under Tuberville, but A&M has had Tech's number the last two years. QB Ryan Tannehill certainly has fond memories of the Red Raider defense.
Oct. 15 vs. Baylor (2:30 pm)--Robert Griffin III is good. The rest of the Bears? We'll see. The Aggies don't like to lose at Kyle Field, especially to Baylor.
Oct. 22 @ Iowa St. (TBA)--The Cyclones have gotten out of the Big 12 cellar, and have managed to pull some upsets over big teams (Nebraska, Texas) over the last few years. Texas A&M must be aware of the letdown.
Oct. 29 vs. Missouri (2:30 pm)--Texas A&M's worst game last year came in October at home at the hands of Missouri. The Tigers return to the scene of the crime, this time without NFL draft pick Blaine Gabbert. Whether Mizzou has an adequate replacement for him will be key to this matchup.
Nov. 5 @ Oklahoma (TBA)--Oklahoma will likely enter the season as the preseason No. 1, and if both teams make it through some difficult early season games, this one may have national as well as conference implications. A&M dominated last year's game at Kyle Field, but this one is in Norman, where Oklahoma has not lost since the late 19th century.
Nov. 12 @ Kansas St. (TBA)--This November is nowhere near last years', when the Aggies had to face the likes of Oklahoma, Baylor, Nebraska, and Texas.
Nov. 19 vs. Kansas (2:30 pm)--Like I said, completely different from last year. A&M will gladly take the two Kansas teams at this point.
Nov. 24 vs. Texas (7 pm, ESPN)--The game was threatened to be moved off of the traditional Thanksgiving spot, but it has remained there for the time being. Texas' down year has been well-chronicled, but look for them to be better than that, if not quite to their accustomed 10-win status. Always a fun, lively game.
Times subject to change
Because of the Big 12's contraction to just 10 teams, they are not allowed to hold a conference championship. The regular season champions will earn the automatic BCS bid. The BCS National Championship game for the 2011 season will be held at the Louisiana Superdome on January 9, 2012.
What are your thoughts on the schedule? Predictions for A&M's year? Share them in the comments section!
9-2 with losses to arkansas and oklahoma
ReplyDelete9-2 doesn't add up, I'm just gonna breakdown by difficulty of game:
ReplyDelete1. @OU - Can't argue this, will be incredibly difficult to win in Norman, Bob Stoops has only lost there twice
2. OSU - Due to their offense, I know their defensive struggles, but the O will still be sick
2. Arky - I was never very high on Mallett, but losing your starting QB always hurts
4. @tech - got moved up due to it being in Lubbock, just not a well-rounded team, even under Tubbs
5. Mizzou - I think we pound them this year, payback for last year, just please no noon kickoff
6. tu - they still look like chit and we get them in Kyle on TDay
7. @KState - For some reason we always have trouble against the 22 JUCOs they throw at you (see 2 seasons ago)
8. Baylor - the bears probably only win 6 (losses against TCU, A&M, OSU, Mizzou, OU, and at least one of tu, tech or kstate)
9. @ ISU - I don't see a bowl season for the cyclones this year, but the game is still on the road
10. SMU - I think Jones has done a great job and they will probably win 8 or 9 this year, just not in Kyle
11. Kansas - Not crazy about Turner Gill (even at Buffalo, went 8-4 with 4 wins in OT), nor about the talent (or lack thereof) in Kansas
12. Idaho - Should be a solid game to test some stuff after a bye week and fix any SMU problems
I hate to overhype the team, especially one that only two years ago disappointed me with an abysmal 4-8 record, but anything below 10 wins in underperforming... Our offense should be elite barring injuries, and we look to have someone step up in MLB (I think Moore will do fine at Joker), and we could be looking at 11 wins and being in the BCS conversation, I don't know if this team is ready to take on OU in Norman, but hopefully we keep it competitive and pull a 2001 OSU, or a 2005 tcu...