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.
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2 responses to “Target Centermass, out …”
I’m rather hoping that Whataburger guy is right, too, whatever the scheme is.
And, hey – there’s always next year, chief. I am sure I shall see you around then.
Looks like Joe Whataburger may just have had some actual insider info. His connections were confident, which should not be surprising. After all, what coaching staff goes into a game saying, “We have a plan. It ain’t gonna work, but we have a plan.” After the results, I’d say the confidence was well-founded.
My hedge prediction wasn’t too far off, but who could have guessed three overtimes in four games?
Phil, I look forward to actually meeting you some time and thought this fall was likely, but it just wasn’t in the cards.