It feels like each week we are on the cusp of being really good. YES! We keep having to find ways to win, which is fine so far. But, I don't think anyone looks at our offense and thinks National Champs.

I'm curious if the QB's are still learning to be comfortable in Klein's offense. They haven't even had a year in this offense... right? Between Injuries and switching starters throughout the year. No one has gotten the reps that a consistent starter would have by now.

IF... We can find a way to get past the "letdown" game against SC-lite this week.
We will have 2 weeks to tune up for Auburn and t.u. Let's face it, the schedule was in our favor this year. Considering this is Elko year 1, we needed it. IMHO, if we can start firing on all cylinders, we could become a legit threat to win it all over the next 2 weeks with either QB. I think either one can step up.

to me this year is wide open almost every team has a wart. i think we are one of the more balanced teams when looking at all aspects including offense, defense, and special teams. i think we are the type of team that wins ugly at times but still wins. i have absolutely seen teams use this methodology to win it all.

i also think there is a lot of improvement/meat on the bone to continue to improve upon the passing game which gives us as much upside as anyone in the country.

Agreed, IMO, both Elko and Klein are both the type of coaches with systems whom greatly benefit from having 3 and 4 year experienced players in the lineup. I realize you could say that about any coach, but I truly believe both these offensive and defensive systems that we are running value experience over talent. Talent helps, but all the little nuances in both these systems really require a mostly veteran team who have been in the system for several years to truly be firing on all cylinders.

We are definitely ahead of schedule in year 1 because of some damn good coaching, including some ballsy head coaching decisions that have quite frankly set the tone that this is going to be a good program, the benefit of an easier than usual schedule, and the group of guys in the locker room that have been true leaders. It's kind of been a perfect storm.

If our defense can stop giving up explosive plays and Marcel Reed can become a more prolific and consistent passer, we will have the tools to win it all this year.

It felt pretty good watching the offense with Reed last week. Granted, I want to see what it looks like when he throws the ball a little more.

Captain Awesome said:

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It feels like each week we are on the cusp of being really good. YES! We keep having to find ways to win, which is fine so far. But, I don't think anyone looks at our offense and thinks National Champs.

I'm curious if the QB's are still learning to be comfortable in Klein's offense. They haven't even had a year in this offense... right? Between Injuries and switching starters throughout the year. No one has gotten the reps that a consistent starter would have by now.

IF... We can find a way to get past the "letdown" game against SC-lite this week.
We will have 2 weeks to tune up for Auburn and t.u. Let's face it, the schedule was in our favor this year. Considering this is Elko year 1, we needed it. IMHO, if we can start firing on all cylinders, we could become a legit threat to win it all over the next 2 weeks with either QB. I think either one can step up.

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The fact that we are in November and WEEK 10 of the season and this type of comment in a post is even being made is pretty remarkable and indicative of how great a season we've had.

I mean. I don't disagree. A&M is a flawed team in some areas that is still very good. Our defense is good enough to not only make the playoffs but do some damage, our offense has a very good OL and RB game that is likewise good enough to be dangerous in a playoff, and this team seems to be mentally tough and well coached.

It is mostly just our passing game and 'which QB is best?' question that is notable flaw and yeah...if we were elite in the passing game too then we'd probably be the national championship favorite right now. In Elko's first year. Of course every team but maybe 2-3 right now are in the same boat or much much worse.

I'm getting a 1985 vibe. That year, we lost the opener at Alabama, then lost an early October game at Baylor. We had no margin for error going forward. And we didn't lose again. There was a magnificent run from SMU to Auburn. SMU - we nail a long bomb FG to win as time was running out. Arkansas - defense slugfest, we win on a blocked punt I believe. We blasted TCU at Fort Worth. Then we dropped a bomb on tu with a Cotton Bowl trip for the winner. Closed out that season by stuffing Bo Jackson (for the most part) and drop kicked Auburn back to Alabama.

That 1985 team was one that seemed to get better with each week. I'm seeing a similar confidence in the 2024 Aggies as I did way back in my freshman year at A&M.

there was a thread a while back comparing this season to the 1998 season

when the Ags had a very good defense, so-so offense...and won a bunch of close games

W said:

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there was a thread a while back comparing this season to the 1998 season

when the Ags had a very good defense, so-so offense...and won a bunch of close games

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Except we've won more SEC games by double digits than any other team.

This year feels like a lot of media "experts" have shown themselves to be clueless.

W said:

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there was a thread a while back comparing this season to the 1998 season

when the Ags had a very good defense, so-so offense...and won a bunch of close games

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And I'll accept 1998 results minus the bowl game.

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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I'm getting a 1985 vibe. That year, we lost the opener at Alabama, then lost an early October game at Baylor. We had no margin for error going forward. And we didn't lose again. There was a magnificent run from SMU to Auburn. SMU - we nail a long bomb FG to win as time was running out. Arkansas - defense slugfest, we win on a blocked punt I believe. We blasted TCU at Fort Worth. Then we dropped a bomb on tu with a Cotton Bowl trip for the winner. Closed out that season by stuffing Bo Jackson (for the most part) and drop kicked Auburn back to Alabama.

That 1985 team was one that seemed to get better with each week. I'm seeing a similar confidence in the 2024 Aggies as I did way back in my freshman year at A&M.

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My grandparents took me to that Cotton Bowl game against Auburn....So fun!!!

AgLA06 said:

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W said:

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there was a thread a while back comparing this season to the 1998 season

when the Ags had a very good defense, so-so offense...and won a bunch of close games

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Except we've won more SEC games by double digits than any other team.

This year feels like a lot of media "experts" have shown themselves to be clueless.

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This season is giving me 2019 vibes because of the way we are winning games

String running game and defense that wear teams dow to win by double digits

To me all the pieces are in place minus an elite receiver. The question still is Klein's scheme and ability to adjust when neutralized. Still need a bigger body of work.

Improving every game is coaching and big-time talent who buys into what the Coach is preaching

Dominating second half football is coaching, talent and attitude plus big-time strength and conditioning.

Let's all kick back and enjoy the ride.

BTHO SCe...Smash mouth, take no prisoners and leave it all on the field.

We have been fortunate that every ranked team we have faced has been at home. That does not mean that we should take the unranked away games "lightly". One just has to look at what happened to Alabama after the Georgia game against Vandy.

Some of the talking heads are stating that this is a "down year" for the SEC (a covert slight against us) due to us, being a usual mid level team, being undefeated in the SEC.

However, as Sumlin's success came from lightening in a bottle (JFF), Elko did not "inherit" a winning team since he had to replace over 31 players along with convincing returning players as to his system.

This is Elko's team and not Fishers.

Detmersdislocatedshoulder said:

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to me this year is wide open almost every team has a wart. i think we are one of the more balanced teams when looking at all aspects including offense, defense, and special teams. i think we are the type of team that wins ugly at times but still wins. i have absolutely seen teams use this methodology to win it all.

i also think there is a lot of improvement/meat on the bone to continue to improve upon the passing game which gives us as much upside as anyone in the country.

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We can win even when Reed is not on. We cannot win when weigman is not on.

It feels like 2022 baseball to me. I'm really just enjoying the hell out of every game because I don't honestly feel this is "the year" but I can sure as hell see it coming.

This isn't one player or one coach (like 2012) or a lot of luck (2020). This is a culture and organization that is figuring out how to be excellent. The 1985 comparison is fair although this time we have a crap ton of cash. Which, ummm, helps too.

StinkyPinky said:

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To me all the pieces are in place minus an elite receiver. The question still is Klein's scheme and ability to adjust when neutralized. Still need a bigger body of work.

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I disagree with the receiver narrative. The sky-cam tells the story. There were players open all over the field in the first half of the Lsu game. Conner is over thinking everything from what I've seen. Some confidence could put him over the top.

I don't want to jinx it, but as an Ag of the 1990s, it really feels like "that time."

We went to most games expecting to win, and enjoyed watching the defense (Wrecking Crew days).

the most cool guy said:

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If our defense can stop giving up explosive plays and Marcel Reed can become a more prolific and consistent passer, we will have the tools to win it all this year.

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Is there an explosive plays stat? Probably +20 plays. What are the criteria. Total yards from explosives and yards per game or by quarter. What's the average for our league and cfp teams? Where does our defense rank? We may not be as bad as you say. Just asking.

Last week showed that our team is accustomed to winning the ugly close game and LSU looked like us for the past decade, waiting for something to fall apart.

Proud that our boys are mentally tough and expect to win the close ones. I don't know if we have enough for a deep run and to win it all, but I don't think there is any fan base out their that feels they have a complete team ready to dominate the playoffs. This first year of 12 teams is going to be an interesting one. It seems wide open and I damn sure wouldn't bet against our guys.

StinkyPinky said:

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To me all the pieces are in place minus an elite receiver. The question still is Klein's scheme and ability to adjust when neutralized. Still need a bigger body of work.

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in fairness to klein he has worked with two qbs and as you stated no dominant receiver. i think klein has done a nice job maximizing what we have and do well. put another way we have no dominant receiver or tight end and we still lead the sec in scoring. that's pretty rare.