[AggieNation]

What are your thoughts about A&M's chances to wins a Nat. Championship next year? Sure will Joeckel we will be down but we get Matthews back, who is equally good in my opinion, to fill in for LT.

We get Mike Evans back (will be a soph)
Johnny
Malena (will be a senior)
Trey Williams (will be a soph)

Watch out BamaChamps!

I'm interested to see how the defense does next year, but I think A&M has a chance to make a run for it next year. If you told me that 5 years ago I would think you were crazy.

Opinions?

[Major Seahawk]

From what I've seen of them this year they certainly are within striking distance. Looks to me like they just need a more stout defense, the offense looked pretty solid already but it can always improve. They're losing Moore which will hurt, so we'll see what happens. I like what they're doing, I don't even really think of them as an SEC team The schedule for next year looks like the same. A bunch of gimme OOC games and then the two tough ones against Bama & LSU

Rice
Sam Houston St.
Alabama
SMU
@ Arkansas
Bye
@ Ole Miss
Auburn
Vandy
UTEP
Miss. St.
Bye
@ LSU
@ Mizzou

Very favorable schedule, only 4 road games all year and you don't even leave home until week 5. I can see 11+ wins if they only improve from this years team

[WeWantTheVest]

If they can beat Bama again, they're in. They miss the top teams from the East this year. Take Florida off their schedule, and they might have won it this year. Only thing is, I think next year will be two undefeated teams. Ohio State has an even softer schedule and should have a more solid team next year. I could easily see them playing another undefeated AQ conference champ.

[Chise]

Originally Posted by WeWantTheVest

If they can beat Bama again, they're in. They miss the top teams from the East this year. Take Florida off their schedule, and they might have won it this year. Only thing is, I think next year will be two undefeated teams. Ohio State has an even softer schedule and should have a more solid team next year. I could easily see them playing another undefeated AQ conference champ.

Not necessarily. That @LSU game is late in the season and if they lose, might be hard for them to stay in/crack the top 2.

[BamaChamps]

A&M have the talent to challenge for the SEC championship, which has in fact been a play in game for the National Championship. However, similar to Bama, A&M will get everyone best shot and teams will be more focus to play against the current Heisman winner. How A&M handles having a target on their back will determine how successful their season will be. While everybody knows about the high profile games, its often the road game against someone like Ole Miss that will become a dogfight that no one was expecting.

LSU is loosing a lot of underclassmen going early to the NFL draft, so on paper A&M should finish at least 2nd in the SEC WEST.

[WeWantTheVest]

Originally Posted by Chise

Not necessarily. That @LSU game is late in the season and if they lose, might be hard for them to stay in/crack the top 2.

LSU was overrated this season, and they are losing seven guys on defense. They're going to be fine, but I don't see them challenging Bama or A&M for the West. If A&M can get by Bama, their biggest threat is going to be a random upset from an overlooked team. Somewhere like @Arkansas or @Ole Miss has the potential for that. A&M/Bama will likely determine who wins the West, the SEC and who plays for a BCS title.

[MountaineersFan]

TAMU has one tough game next season...home against Bama. Even with a loss, they have a very good chance of making the NCG. If they lose any other game, they don't deserve to make it

[Chise]

Originally Posted by MountaineersFan

TAMU has one tough game next season...home against Bama. Even with a loss, they have a very good chance of making the NCG. If they lose any other game, they don't deserve to make it

Going to Baton Rouge is always tough........especially if it's a night game.