Signing off for a bit. Heading back to the Motherland. Taking a brief pilgramage to Mecca. In other words, going to Aggieland.
I’m going down to College Station with the girlfriend (a Red Raider) and a dear ol’ college chum for the A&M-Texas Tech game. Unfortunately, work and my dad’s funeral have wreaked havoc on plans, so it’s just a there-and-back-again, same-day jaunt. Otherwise, I would’ve tried to meet Phil from Shades of Gray.
As to the game, I’m not hopeful for the Ags. They’re definitely showing improvement under Coach Franchione, but I don’t think they have the horses yet for a prepared gimmick offense like Tech’s. Tech is all about flooding the field with receivers, counting on quick slants and crossing patterns, wide receiver bubble screens and shovel-passes out of the backfield. To counter, the option is a strong secondary and/or a quick pressure from the defensive front. I don’t think we yet have the talent or depth in the defensive backfield or the experience and consistency in our front four. My prediction: Tech 42, Aggies 31 (assuming Reggie McNeil is healthy; otherwise, Aggies 17).
To counter my negativism, I must relate that last weekend I ran into a dude at Whataburger who claimed to have inside knowledge on the Ags’ football program. According to this random guy in far north Dallas, the Ags have a perfect defensive scheme planned. In case random guy is right, I’ll post a hedge prediction of A&M 38- Tech 28. I hope that random Whataburger guy is right.