For a school like A&M, a signature win would be an unranked A&M team beating a top ten team.

didn't we do that in 2002 vs. OU?

At this point I will take beating a team ranked higher than us on national tv (espn not versus).

Winning a high-profile game.

If we have one this season, I'll let you know.

a last second drive, or a shootout that ends with the outmatched underdog winning and opening up a shot at a conference title.

[This message has been edited by Ragnar Danneskjold (edited 7/24/2010 10:40a).]

Embarrasing OU

A signature win is much more than an upset. The 2002 game against OU - upset, not signature win. Signature wins don't happen in years where your team goes 6-6 unless they went 1-11 the year before. A signature win is a platform that propels a program to the next level (see the 2006 A&M basketball win over tu). Since Fran, we have only had a couple of chances at signature wins, most notably the Gameday game against OU. We win that and Aggie Football is at a new level. We eventual go 9-3 that year, but that win would have put us into the Big XII title game.

So, if we start the year of well, say 7-1, OU would be a signature win assuming we don't go 0-3 after it. For that matter if we start 7-1 and beat either OU, Neb, or tu, and don't lose to baylor, any of those could be seen as signature wins as long as we don't get blown out of the next couple of games and we go on and win a bowl game.

To summarize, good year + high profile win + no disasters after = signature win

embarrassing OU and arkansass the same year

reineraggie09 I have to agree with you, it is more than just an upset, it is a game that changes a program.

Sure beating tu or ou is great, but if A&M goes on to lose games after the upset it is not a signature win. While upsets are exciting, if they do not change a fundamental issue in the long term. My guess is a true signature win is much easier to see a year or two after the actual win.

some things that might make up a signature win:

a) an upset of a top program
b) a turning point in the long term of a program
c) a change in perception by opponents [you always beat inferior opponents, your win % against strong opponents goes up]
d) a change in media favor
e) a change in recruiting outlook

In the 50's, 60's, and 70's neither FSU or Miami were top 25 teams, yet some game was a signature win that propelled them to the success they had in the 80's and 90's. Just an observation.

[This message has been edited by Kentucky Mustangs (edited 7/24/2010 11:59a).]

A "signature win" can only be conferred on a coach, a quarterback or a program. There are rarely any exceptions.

A relatively young or unproven quarterback can get a "signature win" against a top twenty ranked opponent or in a game against a perennial powerhouse rival (such as UT or OU) no matter what his team's win-loss record or the opposing team's record (within reason).

An experienced quarterback can get a "signature win" against a top ten ranked opponent or in a game against a perennial powerhouse rival (such as UT or OU) if it has conference title implications.

A relatively young or unproven coach can get a signature win against a top twenty ranked opponent or in a game against a perennial powerhouse rival (such as UT or OU) no matter his team's record or the opposing team's record.

A moderately experienced coach can get a signature win against a top ten ranked opponent or in a game against a perennial powerhouse rival (such as UT or OU) if his team is also having a good year.

At the program level, a heavyweight university like A&M with a century of history can no longer get a signature win (unless the program continues to falter for another decade or so).

[This message has been edited by haustin6 (edited 7/24/2010 12:05p).]

a different type of a "signature win" would be an in-state, big name recruit choosing the Ags over TU or OU... or choosing TU first and then decommitting and committing to A&M (like a Cedric Reed)

[This message has been edited by AggInEE (edited 7/24/2010 12:06p).]

Winning on national TV.

Should have also added that a signature win can also be had in a BCS bowl.

Signature wins are not bowl games. Signature wins are against local rivals because they change the recruiting game.

Case in point: 1998 Mack beats A&M, 1999 Stoops crushes A&M 51-6

A signature game is winning a game that MEANS something.

-a championship game (Texas vs USC 05)(A&M/KSU)
-a game that everyone is watching...a watershed game that puts your program on the map(Texas/Tech 08) (Texas/Ark 67)

1999 OU came to mind as well.

Before that game Stoops had ensured all his big recruits attended and he met with them prior and told them to watch b/c they were going to see the future of the Big 12.

Then he went out and hooked, lateraled, faked, and punished the hell out of us.

Signature win

Signature wins only mean something if the end product is something great. Like a Big XII championship or BCS bowl.

If we beat texas, OU, and Neb this year but lose the rest then there is no signature wins

A signature win doesn't even have to be an upset in my opinion.

Tech upsetting Texas in 2008 was a signature win. Tech played their kind of football, played it well, and beat a highly ranked team.

Alabama muscling their way over Texas was a signature win. Saban was known for D and hard hitting football, and thats how they won. Thats how he won at LSU, and how he won again at Bama.

When the Saints beat Indy on an interception returned for a TD, that was a signature win. The Saints won a superbowl on their D and turnover margin, and the way in which they beat Indy exemplified that, and to me that is a signature win.

A signature win for us this year would be JJ throwing a helluva game and Von harassing the heck out of the other team.

To me, you have to have a style before you have a signature win. Even if your style is being unpredictable and random and risky, you have to have a style. And when you go out and beat a top team with your style, and make them play YOUR game, then THAT is a signature win.

quote:

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you have to have a style before you have a signature win. Even if your style is being unpredictable and random and risky, you have to have a style. And when you go out and beat a top team with your style, and make them play YOUR game, then THAT is a signature win.

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Exactly. Like a signature, the win shows the distinctive qualities of the player, coach, or program. Signature wins should be some sort of high profile game.

See Jackie Sherrill's teams in late '84 - '85. His signature wins on ESPN established A&M's dominance in the 80s and 90s

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Baylor!

It must be on TV.

Hence, JJ doesn't have any signature wins since he hasn't won a game seen on TV.

Beat OU...I've had a 'Beat OU' shirt since 2003 and we have not won.

As previously mentioned, if we beat Arkansas and OU this year, then those would be signature wins.

not sure if Tech's 2008 win over the horns is a signature win. That ended up being the high water mark...but the program has been on the (gradual) decline since that game. That win didn't take Tech to a higher level.

Bowl wins can be signature wins. Most notably Jackie's CB victory over Auburn.

Remembering it. For a good reason.

Sat, Oct 15 1955

Texas A&M @ TCU (7) * Fort Worth, Texas W 19-16

Sat, Dec 01 1984

Texas A&M vs. @ Texas (13) * Austin, Texas W 37-12


Sat, Nov 16 1985

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (9) * College Station, Texas W 10-6




[This message has been edited by coachk07 (edited 7/24/2010 9:30p).]

arkansas or ou this year. maybe nebraska if still in top 10

Whatever the football equivalent of "The Shot" is.