SEC 2019

SEC 2 19 Madubuike steps up to lead Aggie defense SEC team previews and schedules Expert predictions and analysis

BUILDING ON SUCCESS Jimbo Fisher and Kellen Mond look to take the next big step forward for Texas A&M football

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INSIDE YEAR TWO

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Robert Cessna writes that Jimbo Fisher is building a contender, though it may be a year or two away.

COVER STORY

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Kellen Mond sees room to grow in his second year under Fisher.

OFFENSE IN FOCUS

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The Aggies have big shoes to fill, but plenty of playmakers return.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS 15 A look at notable statistics related to A&M football.

TEAM PREVIEWS

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Dig into each SEC team’s outlook, schedule and key returning players.

DEFENSE IN FOCUS

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Mike Elko has the Aggie defense looking strong after an impressive 2018.

STEPPING UP

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Justin Madubuike takes a leadership role after a breakthrough season.

THE ROAD AHEAD

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A look at the Aggies’ tough schedule.

Staff

EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Crystal Dupré publisher

Rob Clark MANAGING editor

Darren Benson editor

Linda Brinkman advertising manager

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Sports writers sound off on expectations for the Aggies.

ALL-NAME TEAM

Laura McKenzie PHOTOGRAPHER

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ON THE COVER Quarterback Kellen Mond and coach Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M’s Davis Player Development Center. Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie.

A playlist inspired by A&M, Texas and the SEC. 4

Robert Cessna EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR

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This year’s crop of fun and interesting monikers.

SEC MIX TAPE

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2019

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MOVING ON UP

Fisher has Aggie football heading toward title contention Jimbo Fisher needs an encore. His first season at Texas A&M was a smashing success on and off the field. The seven-overtime victory over LSU, which validated a 9-4 season, happened more than seven months ago. But Aggies daily recall game details as if it happened last week.

More good news came Fisher’s way less than a month after that 74-72 victory when A&M signed a Top 5 recruiting class, and it currently is compiling another class that’s ranked in the Top 10 and probably will finish in the Top 5.

Recruits believe Fisher is building the nation’s next Robert Clemson. A&M’s facilities, cessna education and support are second to none, and Fisher is the perfect face of the program. He walks, talks, thinks and sleeps championships, and he’s such a great ambassador for what A&M has to offer it’s hard to believe he’s been in Aggieland only 20 months.

The last time A&M football had this kind of national appeal was when Johnny Manziel lifted the Heisman Trophy, then four weeks later ran roughshod over the Oklahoma Sooners as the Aggies capped a magical 11-2 season. Aggies expected that 2012 season to be the foundation for greater success, but it faded fast as A&M mastered turning impressive starts into season-ending disappointments, making inexcusable gaffes along the way.

The Aggies managed to have quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray leave the program before the 2015 Music City Bowl. And after three seasons of great starts and reeling finishes, A&M condensed its start-stop problem into one game, blowing a 34-point lead against UCLA in the 2017 opener.

Suffice it to say those things will never happen under Fisher, but will he duplicate or even top the six double-digit win seasons he had in a seven-year stretch at Florida State, which included three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and a national championship?

It seems more a matter of when than if.

Many expect A&M to be a Top 5 team in 2020, possibly playing for the national championship. The Aggies will be armed with as

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie Jimbo Fisher led Texas A&M to a 9-4 record and a Gator Bowl win in his first season in Aggieland.

many as 20 returning starters, several of them three-year starters. The schedule also will be their easiest since joining the SEC. It’ll be an advantage playing Colorado and Vanderbilt instead of Clemson and Georgia, though trips to South Carolina, Mississippi State, Auburn and Alabama won’t be easy. There’s little margin for error in making the College Football Playoff, which has never had a two-loss team in its five years.

That’s why A&M’s chances of making the CFP this season are slim, though the opportunity exists because of one of the country’s toughest schedules. If the Aggies go 11-1, they’d be a lock for the CFP because they play Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and LSU. Most, though, consider A&M only a possible spoiler this season, not a potential contender. It’s a notion Fisher scoffs at.

“We expect to play with them and compete with them and win those games,” Fisher said.

“That’s why we’re here.”

Make no mistake about it, Fisher is building for 2020 and beyond every day, especially in recruiting. But on the field his focus is now.

We saw a glimpse of that last season. His first Aggie team had national championship moments, none bigger than the LSU game.

Almost upsetting Clemson, beating Kentucky in overtime and pummeling North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl to end the season with a four-game winning streak were huge steps forward. They overshadowed losses to Mississippi State and Auburn, games in which A&M had halftime leads. Those losses didn’t define the Aggies as A&M grew up during tough times, a complete reversal of what had been happening.

Fisher’s challenge is to build on that despite playing the program’s toughest schedule in two decades. A&M could match last season’s 9-4 record and be ranked in the Top 15, giving Fisher a second solid season. But going 0 for 4 against the marquee opponents would be somewhat of a downer, because those are the games that win championships, which is what Fisher was hired to do.

Robert Cessna’s email address is robert.cessna@ theeagle.com.

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AP photo

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond and coach Jimbo Fisher enjoyed a four-game winning streak to end the 2018 season.

GETTING STRONGER

Kellen Mond sees room to grow in second year under Jimbo Fisher

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By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com

exas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond couldn’t help but chuckle trying to recall the worst tongue-lashing he received from Jimbo Fisher last season.

“That could have been a lot of times,” Mond said. “You know, I’m very self-critical, so I’m always going to take a butt-chewing.

I mean, that happens so many times, I can’t really think about one time.”

Mond’s ability to better grasp the offense from Fisher’s tough-love sessions led to improved play during the team’s four-game winning streak to end last season.

“I just feel like he’s more hands-on,” Mond said. “Certain quarterback coaches, I feel like they might just take a step back if you do something wrong, but I mean I feel like even if I do something right — if I throw a touchdown and my read is the wrong read — he’s

still going to tell me just so I know.”

With Fisher, there’s only one right read per play.

“He always wants me to be perfect,” Mond said. “And you know, myself, I want to be perfect, too. So I feel like that’s why we kind of have a perfect match.”

There were struggles for Mond in 2018, especially against Ole Miss. Coming off back-to-back road losses at Mississippi State and Auburn, the Aggies were in a dogfight with the undermanned Rebels, who were in the midst of a season-ending five-game losing streak.

The Aggies twice squandered touchdown leads for a 14-14 halftime tie, then opened the second half with five straight runs by Trayveon Williams, who ripped off 60 yards to the Ole Miss 3-yard line. But Mond fumbled, and Ole Miss safety Zedrick Woods returned it 96 yards for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead. It got worse. Four plays later,

Mond threw an interception, on an underthrown pass to fullback Cullen Gillaspia.

You could almost hear the fans’ grumbles directed toward Mond, who came into the game struggling. He had completed only 50 percent of his passes in the previous two games with two interceptions, and he had been sacked eight times. Statistically he was the 10th-best quarterback in the Southeastern Conference, slipping to 70th nationally in passing efficiency after being as high as 45th through seven games.

But Mond recovered from the back-toback turnovers. He completed a 31-yard pass to tight end Jace Sternberger on third-and-8 near midfield, which led to a game-tying touchdown. A&M pulled away for a 38-24 victory, with Mond throwing for 236 yards and three touchdowns and running for another.

Continued on Page 10

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Continued from Page 9

“Just being able to keep my composure [was key],” Mond said. “When a lot of people probably would have given up on me, my teammates never did. That kind of gave me a little more confidence. It kind of led on to the rest of the season.”

Mond was steady in the four-game winning streak, throwing for 855 yards on 67of-123 passing with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also rushed for 184 yards on 39 carries with three touchdowns.

Most of all, Mond made great decisions as he became more familiar with the offense.

Fisher compares a quarterback’s growth to a student learning math. You start with a basic play with only two options. Then you progress to three or four or even five.

“You take algebra I — algebra doesn’t change,” Fisher said. “But algebra II gets more complicated. You just keep adding more to the formula as you go.”

After 13 games and two springs with Fisher, Mond has entered the advanced stage.

“He understands he has to be a student of the game, and I think that’s the most fun we have,” Fisher said. “He works his tail off.

Nobody works any harder, but he also works in the film room, too. You know from the

conversations you had with him, the questions he asked you, it’s starting to be really fun. He’s being able to use all of the resources around him.”

Fisher said there is much more to being a quarterback than simple handoffs and throws.

It’s calling a players-only meeting when needed and building relationships. That in turn builds confidence.

“There’s individual things you do on your own,” Fisher said. “If a guy is not doing something, you know, you take them on the side and show him what we expect to happen.

You tap guys on the shoulder and say, ‘Hey, that’s not how we do things around here.’”

Mond has done that and more, finding himself on the same page as Fisher more times than not.

“Then I think from his standpoint of the game, it’s really fun to have conversations with him now, because he understands our language, our lingo, what to expect, what things we see against certain defenses,” Fisher said. “We see certain looks, we see certain blitzes. He even comes up with ideas now.

I mean, we share ideas and, boy, it’s fun to really watch him grow. And I think he’s embracing that whole concept, that it’s not just throwing the ball or handing off. It’s a year-round process to be the quarterback, to

be the leader of the football team.”

In 2017, freshman Mond was beat out for the starting job by redshirt freshman Nick Starkel. Now he enters the season as the team’s clear-cut leader. Starkel, who threw only 22 passes last season, has transferred to Arkansas. The team’s remaining quarterbacks have combined to throw only one pass — by sophomore Connor Blumrick against Northwestern State in last year’s opener.

Mond doesn’t have to look over his shoulder, but he said he never did, only worrying about himself.

“I’ve put in so much work after a long road, a lot of rollercoaster rides my freshman season, and then even in my sophomore season,” Mond said. “I’ve continued to fight and continued to work and I’m still not done yet.

I’m always going to go through adversity, and I know I’m going to go through adversity my junior year. But I know myself. I’m never going to give up, and my teammates will never give up on me, so I’m really blessed.”

Despite the success of 2018, Mond acknowledges that he isn’t “anywhere close [to] my full potential.”

“I always think I have room to grow,” he said. “And that’s always the way I’m going to work. And I know I’m not where I want to be right now, and that’s not only on the field but

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just with my leadership and my actions off the field, and I feel like that kind of has a really big reflection of how I’m going to play on the field. So just being able to communicate and elevate my teammates to make them the best players that they can be is kind of a big thing, not just my play on the field.”

Mond has prepared his body to better handle the grind of the SEC. He wants to play at 219 pounds, which would be 6 more than last season. His weight-room workouts have added 5 pounds of muscle, keeping his body fat at 12%, he said.

“He eats this stuff up,” said Fisher, while putting a weight on a bar for Mond during a photo shoot.

Other tweaks include the way Mond delivers the football. He said he is holding it a bit higher, which gives him more velocity and power. Accuracy is a focus, as well. Mond completed 57.3% of his passes last year. The only SEC quarterback with a worse percentage was Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald (51.6). Mond says it’s something he’s working hard to improve.

“I’m just trying to get my base a little bit wider, trying to get more knee bend,” Mond said. “Small things could make a big impact on my accuracy.”

Mond’s ability to keep his composure, as

Kellen Mond threw for 3,107 yards in 2018, with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

he showed in the Ole Miss game, has helped him iron out his flaws.

“I’ve never really seen him rattled,” Fisher said. “I think he handles himself and deals with things extremely well, and processes the

AP photo

highs and the lows very well. And I think that’s a very, very good trait for a quarterback.”

It’s a must if you want to be Jimbo Fisher’s quarterback.

A GUARANTEED WIN!

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Kendrick Rogers reacts after catching a pass for a two-point conversion during the seventh overtime against LSU on Nov. 24, 2018, at Kyle Field.

AP photo

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OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER Aggies have big shoes to fill at running back, tight end

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com Texas A&M’s offense lost its three best players to the NFL, but the unit expects to be just as good, if not better, because of depth and talent in the offensive line and at wide receiver.

Running back Trayveon Williams led the Southeastern Conference in rushing last season, and center Erik McCoy made 39 straight starts, but both opted not to return for their senior seasons. They were key cogs in a ball-control offense that allowed A&M to average 34 minutes, 34 seconds of possession per game, which ranked third in the country.

A&M is replacing McCoy by moving junior Ryan McCollum from right guard to center. Senior Colton Prater, one of five returning linemen with at least 10 career starts, could slide into McCollum’s old spot with redshirt freshmen Marcus “Tank” Jenkins and Luke Matthews other possibilities. Depth will come from true freshmen tackle Kenyon Green, Layden Robinson and Blake Trainor.

“I think all three of those freshmen are gifted,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We’re expecting them to push and provide quality backup or start. If they’re the best players, they’ll start.”

A&M’s offensive line struggled in one key area, allowing 2.7 sacks per game to rank 102nd in the country, but that was with three sophomores playing in a new system. The number should shrink because of a veteran quarterback and experienced linemen.

Junior quarterback Kellen Mond has to find a new favorite target after losing tight end Jace Sternberger, who had 48 receptions for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

The good news is every wide receiver who had a catch last season returns. Leading the way are juniors Quartney Davis, Camron Buckley, Kendrick Rogers and Jhamon Ausbon, who combined for 137 receptions for 1,770 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“I’m excited about that group,” Fisher said. “We run a lot of different schemes and concepts. We put a lot on our passing game, and there’s a lot of adjustments that are made during those routes when run right gives you a lot of options to get open, and I think they really embrace those now and understand them.”

Each of the four junior receivers showed

Jashaun Corbin rushed for 346 yards as a freshman in 2018.

flashes of becoming go-to targets last season.

Davis had seven catches for 101 yards and two scores in the 74-72 seven-overtime victory over LSU. Rogers had seven catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-26 loss to Clemson. Buckley had five catches for 72 yards in a 24-17 victory over Arkansas.

Ausbon, slowed by a foot injury that caused him to miss four games, was limited to 31 catches for 375 yards with no touchdowns, but the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder was Mond’s favorite target in 2017, catching 50 passes for 571 yards and three scores.

“Jhamon Ausbon has been cutting down on his weight,” Mond said. “I feel like he’s been a guy who’s been getting a lot faster. We all know he’s got really good hands and size and athletic ability.”

Sternberger, who was drafted in the third round by the Green Bay Packers, often split out wide to stretch the field. A&M is now short on experience at tight end with junior walk-on Ryan Renick owning the group’s lone catch. But sophomore Glenn Beal (6-5, 280) and highly touted freshmen Baylor Cupp (6-6, 245) and Jalen Wydermeyer (6-5, 240) are big targets. Fisher said all three are good blockers.

“Those guys are really athletic and have a lot of length,” Mond said. “Being about to fit balls in tight windows, they’re able to make really good catches with crazy range.”

AP photo

At running back, A&M groomed sophomore Jashaun Corbin last season to replace Williams, who rushed for 1,760 yards. The Aggies averaged 219 yards rushing per game to rank 21st in the country. Corbin rushed for 346 yards in limited playing time, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

The position suffered a blow when sophomore Vernon Jackson sustained a neck injury in spring drills that will cause him to miss this season. Sophomore Jacob Kibodi had a good spring, is up to 221 pounds and is “running well,” Fisher said. Sophomore Cordarrian Richardson, who sat out last season after transferring from Central Florida, is at 235 pounds, having lost 15. Fisher says, “He looks great.”

Redshirt freshman Deneric Prince and true freshman Isaiah Spiller also have caught Fisher’s eye, giving the unit depth.

“I feel like they’re going to have really explosive years, and we all saw what Trayveon could do in the run game,” Mond said. “I think Jashaun can do the same.”

A&M averaged 471.6 yards per game last season to rank 15th in the country, and it all started with the offensive line.

“I believe you have to be physical in this league to be successful, and you have to run that football,” Fisher said. “We will continue to do it. I feel very confident with where we are right now.”

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key returning players on OFFENSE Kellen Mond

Junior, quarterback

• Mond made major strides across the board in his sophomore season, increasing his completion percentage (51.5% to 57.3%), yards per attempt (6.1 to 7.5) and touchdown-interception ratio (8/6 to 24/9).

He also played his best in several of A&M’s biggest games last season. Mond threw for 430 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against Clemson, and racked up 329 total yards and seven total touchdowns in the seven-overtime win over LSU. There is still plenty of room to improve, and Mond’s ability to do that will help determine if A&M can reach its lofty expectations under Fisher.

Jhamon Ausbon Junior, wide receiver

to follow the route of Trayveon Williams, who showed promise as a freshman and suffered a sophomore slump before a standout junior season.

Quartney Davis (right) Junior, wide receiver

• The Aggies’ leading returning receiver helped keep A&M’s receiving corps afloat when Ausbon and Kendrick Rogers battled injuries. He amassed 585 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 45 receptions. He also made the biggest catch of the season, securing a TD strike from Mond on the final play of regulation against LSU to render coach Ed Orgeron’s Gatorade bath moot and help A&M to its first win over the Tigers since joining the SEC.

Jashaun Corbin

• Arguably the most talented receiver in a group that returns in full for 2019, Ausbon was primed to take over for Christian Kirk as the Aggies’ top receiving option last year before injuries limited him to nine games, some of those not at full strength. The junior caught 31 passes for 375 yards, though he showed flashes when he was healthy early in the season. Ausbon has the potential

Sophomore, running back

• With Williams in the NFL, Corbin is the natural selection to replace him. As a freshman, Corbin excelled in the return game, averaging 30.1 yards per kick return with a touchdown, and was effective when Williams needed a breather. Corbin’s 61 carries for 346 yards and a score last season are a far cry from his predecessor’s

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie historic numbers. With more opportunities, he should be a reliable focal point behind a veteran offensive line.

Carson Green Junior, right tackle

• The 6-6, 315-pound Green appeared in 25 games in his first two seasons and started all 13 in 2018, helping A&M gain 471.6 yards per game (15th in the nation) and paving the way for SEC-leading rusher Williams. Though star center Erik McCoy is in the NFL, Green, along with junior Dan Moore Jr., provides stability at tackle and looks to help the unit again become a position of strength.

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CRUNCHING

THE NUMBERS A look at notable statistics related to Texas A&M football

330 51 AP photo

What a year for punter Braden Mann, who broke the NCAA record with a 51.0 punt average. Mann also broke the NCAA record for punts of 60 yards or more with 14, and he had an 82-yard punt against Kentucky. He was rewarded with the Ray Guy Award and was named a unanimous All-American.

AP photo

Quarterback Kellen Mond was on fire in the second half of the near-upset of No. 2 Clemson on Sept. 9. He threw for a school record 330 yards, including 206 in the fourth quarter. His game total was 430, which ranks eighth in A&M history.

Mond’s performance in the epic 74-72 win over LSU included six touchdown passes, which is tied for second behind Dustin Long’s seven in a 2002 game. Mond also became the fifth A&M quarterback to surpass 3,000 yards in a season (Johnny Manziel in 2012 and 2013, Ryan Tannehill in 2011, Jerrod Johnson in 2009).

3 .773 7

The A&M defense had a big turnaround under coordinator Mike Elko with a rushing defense that ranked third in the nation. The Aggies gave up 1,238 yards, which was 983 fewer than in 2017, and A&M’s lowest total since the 2000 season. That’s an average of 95.2 yards per game and 3.23 yards per rushing attempt.

Jimbo Fisher has the fourth-highest winning percentage among active coaches who have coached five years or more. Fisher’s .773 percentage trails only Washington’s Chris Petersen (.808), Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (.795) and Alabama’s Nick Saban (.789).

In 2009, A&M and Arkansas began what was supposed to be a 10-year series in Arlington. It was all Hogs, with three straight wins at AT&T Stadium. Then the Aggies joined their former SWC foes in the SEC in 2012, and it all changed. Including a two-year break from Jerry World in 2012 and 2013, A&M has seven straight wins, its longest streak over Arkansas.

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Tua Tagovailoa Alabama

Jake Fromm Georgia

Kylin Hill Mississippi State

Justin Jefferson LSU

Bryan Edwards South Carolina

Albert Okwuegbunam Missouri

Lamical Perine Florida

AP photos

TEAM PREVIEWS

Robert Cessna and Travis L. Brown tackle the conference with schedules, key players and coach quotes • P. 18-37

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ALABAMA (2018 RECORD: 14-1) Nick Saban (237-63-1; 146-21 in 12 seasons at Alabama) • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

SEASON OUTLOOK

SABAN RELOADS TIDE WITH SEVEN NEW ASSISTANTS Tagovailoa again has strong receiving corps Alabama lost one game last season, but it’s the one that counted most. The Crimson Tide allowed 30 straight points as Clemson rolled to a 44-16 victory, denying Alabama back-to-back crowns.

“The question is, who here on our team is really happy with the way things ended up last year?” coach Nick Saban said at the Southeastern Conference spring meetings in May. “We’re certainly not.

We’ve talked a lot about the Alabama factor, playing with discipline, with a high standard of accountability and responsibility, and doing your job on a high level on a consistent basis and everybody putting the team first. We’re certainly still working on that.”

Saban is fine tuning things with seven new assistants who will try to keep an offense rolling that led the SEC with 522 yards per game, and a defense that

JERRY JEUDY

AP photos

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Duke Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta 9/7 vs. New Mexico State Bryant-Denny Stadium 9/14 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 9/21 vs. Southern Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium 9/28 vs. Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/12 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 10/19 vs. Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/26 vs. Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/9 vs. LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/16 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium 11/23 vs. Western Carolina Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/30 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

was third with 321.9 yards per game. One of the holdovers is tight ends/special teams

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

QB Tua Tagovailoa (245-of355, 3,966 yards, 43 TDs, 6 INTs), WR Jerry Jeudy (68 receptions, 1,315 yards, 14 TDs), RB Najee Harris (783 yards, 6.7 avg., 4 TDs), WR Jaylen Waddle (45 receptions, 848 yards, 7 TDs), LB Dylan Moses (86 tackles, 10 TFL, 3.5 sacks), S Xavier McKinney (73 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 INTs), LB Anfernee Jennings (51 tackles, 14 TFL, 6.5 sacks), DL Raekwon Davis (55 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 6 QBH)

I think the most important thing for us in this offseason and going into this season is sort of re-establish the standard that we’d like to play to.

Standard of discipline, also. Players that are going to be responsible and accountable to do their job at a high level on a consistent basis and also put the team first.

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Nick Saban, head coach

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coordinator Jeff Banks, who had a trying first season. Alabama averaged only 34.7 net yards per punt to rank 13th in the SEC. The Crimson Tide missed a league-high nine extra points.

The revamped staff is working with 13 returning starters led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was hampered by injuries late last season but still threw for 3,966 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Tagovailoa’s weapons start with junior Jerry Jeudy, who had 68 catches for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He’s joined by junior Henry Ruggs III (46 receptions, 741 yards, 11 touchdowns) and sophomore Devonta Smith (42 receptions, 693 yards, six touchdowns).

Key starters returning from a defense that allowed only 18.1 points per game are linebackers Anfernee Jennings and Dylan Moses, cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Trevon Diggs and safety Xavier McKinney.

HALL OF FAME

TE Ozzie Newsome’s record-setting career included 2,070 yards on 102 catches and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 20.3 yards per reception, which is second all-time in the SEC.

LIGHTING THE MAROON & WHITE NIGHT

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19

ARKANSAS (2018 RECORD: 2-10)

SEASON ChadOUTLOOK Morris (16-32; 2-10 in one season at Arkansas) • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000) SEASON OUTLOOK

new season, new hope for razorback program

Morris faces challenges in bringing Hogs back The best news for Arkansas coach Chad Morris is that a rough first season is behind him.

The Razorbacks dropped 10 of their last 11 games, losing half by at least three touchdowns. It was the first time Arkansas lost 10 games in school history. And the two victories (over Eastern Illinois and Tulsa) were its fewest since 1952.

Morris, though, has a history of turning programs around.

He did it at Clemson as an offensive coordinator, and then as a head coach at SMU. The Mustangs were 2-10 in his first season, but reached 7-5 by his third season, landing him at Arkansas.

“I know what year two’s going to look like,” Morris said on a school podcast in May. “There’s going to be some tremendous growth, but yet there’s still a lot to climb. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

Arkansas averaged 335.7

RAKEEM BOYD AP photo

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Portland State

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

9/7 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 9/14 vs. Colorado State

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

9/21 vs. San Jose State

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

9/28 vs. Texas A&M AT&T Stadium, Arlington 10/12 at Kentucky Kroger Field 10/19 vs. Auburn

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

10/26 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/2 vs. Mississippi State

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

11/9 vs. Western Kentucky

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

11/23 at LSU Tiger Stadium 11/29 vs. Missouri War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

yards per game last season to rank 13th in the SEC. That should improve with the addi-

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

RB Rakeem Boyd (734 yards, 6.0 avg., 2 TDs), TE Cheyenne O’Grady (30 receptions, 400 yards, 6 TDs), WR Deon Stewart (22 receptions, 178 yards), LB De’Jon Harris (118 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks), DL McTelvin Agim (45 tackles, 10 TFL, 4.5 sacks), QB Ben Hicks (with SMU: 208-of372, 2,582 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs), QB Nick Starkel (with A&M: 15-of-22, 169 yards, 1 TD), RB Devwah Whaley (368 yards, 4.5 avg., 2 TDs)

Year in and year out, we want to compete for championships. But to win championships, first you got to develop champions, and our staff is doing a tremendous job of doing that and recruiting that way and turning young men into champions. But it doesn’t happen overnight.

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Chad Morris, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

tion of transfer quarterbacks Ben Hicks from SMU and Nick Starkel from Texas A&M, joining freshman John Stephen Jones and redshirt freshman Connor Noland.

“We’ve got guys in that room who are ready, and I’m excited about what’s next for them,” Morris said.

Hicks has started 33 games, 23 of them for Morris.

“He understands the offense, understands our system,” Morris said. “He brought a lot of value to that quarterback room.”

Running backs Rakeem Boyd (123 carries, 734 yards) and Devwah Whaley (82 carries, 368 yards) should benefit from improved quarterback play.

The defense, which allowed 413.2 yards per game to rank 11th in the SEC, returns only five starters: senior end McTelvin Agim, senior tackle T.J. Smith, senior linebacker De’Jon Harris, sophomore cornerback Jarques McClellion and junior safety Kamren Curl.

HALL OF FAME

Courtesy of Arkansas DT Dan Hampton was named the 1978 Southwest Conference defensive player of the year and an All-American after recording 98 tackles, including 18 for loss.

AUBURN (2018 RECORD: 8-5) Gus Malzahn (62-30; 53-27 in six seasons at Auburn) • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

tigers turn to youth at quarterback, o-line

SEASON OUTLOOK

Malzahn faces ‘toughest schedule’ in tenure

JATARVIOUS WHITLOW AP photos

Auburn’s football team has some tough acts to follow after the men’s basketball team made a surprising run to the NCAA Final Four and the baseball team reached the College World Series.

The basketball team, despite losing starting forward Chuma Okeke to an injury, upset North Carolina and Kentucky before losing to eventual champion Virginia.

“We talked to our team about what they accomplished,” coach Gus Malzahn said on The Paul Finebaum Show during the Southeastern Conference spring meetings.

“This is exactly what we’ve got to go through.”

The Tigers have one of the nation’s toughest schedules.

Along with the annual SEC West gauntlet, the Tigers play Oregon, Florida and Georgia.

“It’s the toughest schedule we’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been at Auburn,” Malzahn said.

The Tigers will have to tackle that schedule with a freshman quarterback, either Bo Nix or

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Oregon AT&T Stadium, Arlington 9/7 vs. Tulane Jordan-Hare Stadium 9/14 vs. Kent State Jordan-Hare Stadium 9/21 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 9/28 vs. Mississippi State Jordan-Hare Stadium 10/5 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/19 at Arkansas

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

10/26 at LSU Tiger Stadium 11/2 vs. Ole Miss Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/16 vs. Georgia Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/23 vs. Samford Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/30 vs. Alabama Jordan-Hare Stadium

Joey Gatewood.

Auburn could use an injection of youth after averaging only 389.9 yards to rank 11th

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

RB JaTarvious Whitlow (787 yards, 5.2 avg., 6 TDs), RB Kam Martin (458 yards, 4.4 avg., 1 TD), DT Derrick Brown (48 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks), DL Nick Coe (27 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 7 sacks), WR Seth Williams (26 receptions, 534 yards, 5 TDs), DB Daniel Thomas (74 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 PBU), DB Javaris Davis (41 tackles, 2 INT, 8 PBU), DB Noah Igbinoghene (50 tackles, 1 INT, 11 PBU), OL Kaleb Kim (17 games played)

One thing I can tell you is both [freshmen quarterbacks] will be true run threats from the quarterback position. They both can extend plays when things break down and they both have an outstanding arm. ... I know when the quarterback is a run threat, it changes everything from a defensive standpoint.

Gus Malzahn, head coach

in the SEC. The Tigers did that behind a young line, which returns intact.

“We had some growing pains,” Malzahn said. “I feel real good about our offensive line moving forward. This year, I think our offensive line is going to be one of our strengths.

[Experience] allows you to do some more things.”

Sophomore running back JaTarvious Whitlow topped 100 yards rushing in three games, ending with 787 yards on 150 carries.

Auburn has 15 returning starters, including three in the secondary. Junior Noah Igbinoghene switched from receiver to cornerback, and had a team-high 11 pass breakups along with 50 tackles.

“The good thing is we’ve got an experienced team,” Malzahn said. “I really feel we’ve got good leadership. Hopefully we’ll be good enough around [our young quarterbacks] early in the season. We’re going to have to grow up quick, but you expect to have a few growing pains.”

HALL OF FAME

In one season with the Tigers, QB Cam Newton, a Blinn transfer, led Auburn to the 2010 national title.

Newton also won the Heisman Trophy.

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

21

LSU (2018 RECORD: 10-3)

SEASON OUTLOOK Ed Orgeron (41-36; 25-9 in three seasons at LSU) • Tiger Stadium (102,321) SEASON OUTLOOK

orgeron shifts offense in hopes of improvement Burrow and top six receivers return for Tigers LSU turned the corner last season, and now it plans on picking up speed.

The Tigers were 10-3 for the program’s first 10-win season since 2013, beating four Top 10 teams.

“It got LSU back on track where we need to be,” coach Ed Orgeron told reporters during the Southeastern Conference spring meetings.

LSU did that with an offense that averaged only 402.1 yards per game to rank ninth in the SEC. Orgeron hired former NFL assistant Joe Brady as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.

He teams up with offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, who returned to that post last season.

The Tigers have been tinkering with the offense since firing defensive-minded Les Miles four games into the 2016 season. Orgeron thinks they finally have all the pieces in place.

“We’re bringing in the

JOE BURROW AP photos

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Georgia Southern Tiger Stadium 9/7 at Texas

Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

9/14 vs. Northwestern State Tiger Stadium 9/21 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 10/5 vs. Utah State Tiger Stadium 10/12 vs. Florida Tiger Stadium 10/19 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium 10/26 vs. Auburn Tiger Stadium 11/9 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 11/16 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/23 vs. Arkansas Tiger Stadium 11/30 vs. Texas A&M Tiger Stadium

Saints’ passing game,” Orgeron said. “We have the RPOs

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

CB Kristian Fulton (25 tackles, 1 INT, 10 PBU), S Grant Delpit (74 tackles, 5 INT, 14 PBU), QB Joe Burrow (219-of-379, 2,894 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs), RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (658 yards, 7 TDs), WR Justin Jefferson (54 receptions, 875 yards, 6 TDs), LB Michael Divinity (54 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 5 sacks), DE Rashard Lawrence (54 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4 sacks), DE Breiden Fehoko (16 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks)

I’m much more comfortable being head coach of LSU. I do believe we have our players in. I believe last year was a pivotal year. We’ve proven we can win. Having a 10-win season is good. It is not great. It puts us in position to take the next step at LSU for what LSU deserves.

22

Ed Orgeron, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

[run-pass options] from Penn State. We’re running from the spread but we’re still going to be a physical offense.”

LSU averaged 4.0 yards per carry to rank 12th in the SEC, and allowed a league-high 35 sacks. Those numbers should improve with four offensive linemen returning to block for former Ohio State quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 2,894 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first season with LSU. The Tigers return their top six receivers, led by Justin Jefferson, who had 54 receptions and 875 yards in 2018.

Defensively, the Tigers lost linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams to the NFL, but return eight starters from a unit that allowed only 338.7 yards and 21.8 points per game and forced 25 turnovers.

Dave Aranda is starting his fourth season in Baton Rouge, and had the Tigers ranked 25th in total defense in 2018.

HALL OF FAME

WR Odell Beckham Jr. won the Paul Hornung Award after his junior year thanks to a regular season that included 57 receptions for 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns.

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MISSISSIPPI STATE (2018 RECORD: 8-5) Joe Moorhead (46-18; 8-5 in one season at Mississippi State) • Davis Wade Stadium (61,337)

SEASON OUTLOOK

moorhead seeks boost for offense in year two Bulldogs lost key defensive players to NFL Joe Moorhead experienced the extreme highs and lows in the Southeastern Conference in his maiden season at Mississippi State.

Moorhead, the former Penn State offensive coordinator, had a pair of home victories over Top 25 foes Auburn and Texas A&M, along with a 35-3 thumping of rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. But he also started league play 0-2, with the second loss at home to Florida, led by former Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen.

Moorhead quickly learned there’s no such thing as a week off in the nation’s best conference.

“Every single day, every single minute, every single hour in SEC play, you have to be at the top of your game,” Moorhead told reporters during the SEC spring meetings.

Where the Bulldogs weren’t their best was on offense, Moorhead’s specialty. The run game was great, averaging 223.6

KEYTAON THOMPSON AP photos

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 9/7 vs. Southern Miss Davis Wade Stadium 9/14 vs. Kansas State Davis Wade Stadium 9/21 vs. Kentucky Davis Wade Stadium 9/28 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 10/12 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium 10/19 vs. LSU Davis Wade Stadium 10/26 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 11/2 at Arkansas

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

11/16 vs. Alabama Davis Wade Stadium 11/23 vs. Abilene Christian Davis Wade Stadium 11/28 vs. Ole Miss Davis Wade Stadium

yards per game to rank second in the SEC to Georgia, but the passing attack averaged

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

RB Kylin Hill (734 yards, 6.3 avg., 4 TDs), WR Osirus Mitchell (26 receptions, 427 yards, 4 TDs), WR Stephen Guidry (19 receptions, 440 yards, 3 TDs), C Darryl Williams (32 games played), LB Erroll Thompson (87 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 INTs), LB Willie Gay Jr. (48 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INTs), CB Cameron Dantzler (43 tackles, 2 INTs, 11 PBU), LT Tyre Phillips (13 games played), DE Chauncey Rivers (24 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks)

We need to continue to run the ball well. We need to improve the efficiency and explosiveness in our pass game. And I think that all ties together, not just doing the whats, but the hows and the whys. I think year two in the system offensively will help our guys do that.

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Joe Moorhead, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

173.8 yards per game, which was ahead of only Kentucky.

“Looking back, I felt the transition would be a little more seamless and a little more fluid, and that’s where we had the most area to grow and still have the most area to grow,” Moorhead said on The Paul Finebaum Show.

The second year in Moorhead’s system should help, along with competition. Junior Keytaon Thompson, who had been the heir apparent to Nick Fitzgerald, will battle Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens. Whoever lines under center will be surrounded by seven returning starters, including junior running back Kylin Hill, who rushed for 734 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry.

The Bulldogs last season led the SEC in scoring defense (13.2 points per game) and rushing defense (95.1 yards per game), but have to replace linemen Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat, who are both in the NFL.

HALL OF FAME

LB Johnie Cooks recorded 373 tackles in four seasons with the Bulldogs and earned All-America nods in 1980 and 1981.

OLE MISS (2018 RECORD: 5-7) Matt Luke (11-13; 11-13 in two seasons at Ole Miss) • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)

rebels retool staff with new coordinators

SEASON OUTLOOK

Rich Rodriguez takes over Ole Miss’ offense

SCOTTIE PHILLIPS AP photos

Ole Miss coach Matt Luke is in his third season, though it may feel like his first. The Rebels have revamped their schemes under newly hired offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre.

“For me, it was a breath of fresh air, a lot of energy,” Luke told reporters during the Southeastern Conference spring meetings. “[It was] maybe a sense of normalcy, just doing football, not worrying about scholarship numbers or sanctions or any of that stuff.”

Luke, a former Ole Miss player and assistant, had more put on his plate just before the start of the 2017 season when former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze resigned.

Freeze had used a university phone to make multiple calls to an escort service, on the heels of the school being hit with NCAA sanctions for numerous violations.

Luke, who was a co-offensive coordinator at the time, was named the interim coach.

SCHEDULE 8/31 at Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium 9/7 vs. Arkansas Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 9/14 vs. Southeastern Louisiana Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 9/21 vs. California Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 9/28 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/5 vs. Vanderbilt Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 10/12 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 10/19 vs. Texas A&M Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/2 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/9 vs. New Mexico State Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/16 vs. LSU Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 11/28 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

After the season, the interim tag was removed. He’s managed to go 11-13 while dealing with scholarship limits, a bowl

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

RB Scottie Phillips (928 yards, 12 TDs), WR Elijah Moore (36 receptions, 398 yards, 2 TDs), LB MoMo Sanogo (112 tackles, 6.5 TFL), DT Josiah Coatney (63 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack), LB Willie Hibbler (50 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 PBU), DB Myles Hartsfield (41 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 7 PBU), QB Matt Corral (16-of-22, 239 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT), OL Alex Givens (34 games played), WR Braylon Sanders (16 receptions, 271 yards, 1 TD)

I’m excited about the opportunities.

There will be a lot of new faces, but a lot of talented new faces. I think we recruited well, and I’m excited to see that depth really show up, being back at 85 scholarships. Although they’re going to be young, I think it’ll be fun to watch that competition.

Matt Luke, head coach

ban and players transferring.

Luke is finally armed with a full complement of 85 scholarship players, and has a pair of coordinators who he said “were the best guys out there.”

A challenge is keeping a potent passing offense that averaged 346.4 yards per game to lead the SEC, and improving a defense that gave up 483.4 yards per game to rank last.

Junior linebacker MoMo Sanogo, who led the team with 112 tackles, returns as MacIntyre switches to a 3-4 alignment.

Rodriguez, a former head coach at West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona, inherits an offensive unit short in experience. All the scholarship quarterbacks are first-year players, though redshirt freshman Matt Corral played in four games last season.

The offense has to replace three starting linemen and three starting wide receivers, but does have running back Scottie Phillips (153 carries, 928 yards in 2018).

HALL OF FAME

QB Archie Manning, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, threw for 4,753 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 823 yards in three seasons at Ole Miss.

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

TEXAS A&M (2018 RECORD: 9-4) Jimbo Fisher (92-27; 9-4 in one season at Texas A&M) • Kyle Field (102,733)

high hopes in aggieland in year two under fisher

SEASON OUTLOOK

Mond can lean on strong group of receivers

KENDRICK ROGERS AP photo

Jimbo Fisher’s first season at Texas A&M was such a success that fans can’t wait for what’s next. But matching that 9-4 record will be challenging, let alone topping it with a tough schedule and key players to replace.

The Aggies will play Clemson, Georgia, Alabama and LSU, all Top 10 teams that were a combined 50-7 last season.

“We’ve got to make sure we lay the foundation in understanding how to compete in those games,” Fisher said at the Brazos County A&M Club Coaches’ Night.

“I think this is a tremendous opportunity for our players and for our organization.”

A&M returns 10 starters, several key reserves and both kicking specialists, led by AllAmerica punter Braden Mann.

Gone are running back Trayveon Williams, tight end Jace Sternberger and center Erik McCoy. They were instrumental in Fisher installing his pro-style offense that allowed A&M to

SCHEDULE 8/29 vs. Texas State Kyle Field 9/7 at Clemson Memorial Stadium 9/14 vs. Lamar Kyle Field 9/21 vs. Auburn Kyle Field 9/28 vs. Arkansas AT&T Stadium, Arlington 10/12 vs. Alabama Kyle Field 10/19 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 10/26 vs. Mississippi State Kyle Field 11/2 vs. UTSA Kyle Field 11/16 vs. South Carolina Kyle Field 11/23 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 11/30 at LSU Tiger Stadium

lead the league in time of possession, averaging 34 minutes, 34 seconds per game.

Tight end will be filled by

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

QB Kellen Mond (238-of-415, 3,107 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs), WR Jhamon Ausbon (31 receptions, 375 yards), WR Kendrick Rogers (27 receptions, 336 yards, 5 TDs), RB Jashaun Corbin (346 yards), WR Quartney Davis (45 receptions, 585 yards, 7 TDs), DL Justin Madubuike (40 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks), LB Anthony Hines III (33 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks in 2017), DB Leon O’Neal Jr. (14 tackles, 1 INT), P Braden Mann (50 punts, 51 avg., 82 long)

I’m very proud of our team and the things we’ve been able to accomplish and where we’ve been so far, and looking forward to this year. We have a tremendous schedule. As I say, you always do in this league, and that’s one of the things that makes this league what it is.

Jimbo Fisher, head coach

sophomore backup Glen Beal and true freshman Baylor Cupp, who had competitive practices in the spring. Taking over at running back will be Jashaun Corbin, who rushed for 346 yards in limited play last year.

Junior Ryan McCollum, who started seven games last season at guard, moves to center for a unit that helped A&M rush for 219 yards per game to rank third in the SEC. A&M’s passing game averaged 252.6 yards to rank fifth, and that should be much better with quarterback Kellen Mond returning along with the team’s four leading wide receivers: fellow juniors Quartney Davis, Camron Buckley, Jhamon Ausbon and Kendrick Rogers.

The defense has to replace both starting linebackers, three linemen and a safety.

But the Aggies have the talent and experience up front to be just as good, if not better, and the secondary has room to improve after allowing 253.2 yards passing per game to rank 12th in the SEC.

HALL OF FAME

Eagle file photo DB Kevin Smith nabbed 20 interceptions for the Wrecking Crew defense, which is the A&M record. Smith returned three of those for touchdowns, and earned All-America status in 1991.

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

27

FLORIDA (2018 RECORD: 10-3) Dan Mullen (79-49; 10-3 in one season at Florida) • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)

SEASON OUTLOOK

expectations high after mullen’s strong debut

Franks’ development at QB a key for Gators Last summer, former Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen talked about winning another national championship — this time as head coach. He had a good start with a 10-3 record. Now the challenge is to have success when expected, something the program has struggled with in recent years.

Between 2013 and 2017, the Gators won the SEC East twice but also had two four-win seasons. That led to plucking Mullen from Mississippi State and bringing him back to Gainesville, where he called plays for Tim Tebow when Florida won national titles in 2006 and 2008.

Mullen immediately upgraded the offense, which averaged almost 100 yards and two touchdowns more per game than it did in 2017.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks improved drastically, throwing 24 touchdowns and six interceptions after having nine touchdowns and eight interceptions the previous season.

Lamical Perine, who rushed

FELEIPE FRANKS

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS

8/24 vs. Miami Camping World Stadium, Orlando 9/7 vs. UT Martin Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 9/14 at Kentucky Kroger Field 9/21 vs. Tennessee Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 9/28 vs. Towson Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/5 vs. Auburn Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/12 at LSU Tiger Stadium 10/19 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 11/2 vs. Georgia TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville 11/9 vs. Vanderbilt Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 11/16 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 11/30 vs. Florida State Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

for 826 yards, also returns, along with four receivers who caught at least 20 passes, led

QUOTABLE

QB Feleipe Franks (188-of322, 2,457 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs), RB Lamical Perine (826 yards, 7 TDs), WR Van Jefferson (35 receptions, 503 yards, 6 TDs), LB David Reese II (77 tackles, 2.5 TFL), S Jeawon Taylor (64 tackles, 24 solo, 2 PBU), DE Jabari Zuniga (45 tackles, 11 TFL, 6.5 sacks), S Brad Stewart Jr. (41 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBU), CB CJ Henderson (38 tackles, 2 INTs, 7 PBU), WR Trevon Grimes (26 receptions, 364 yards, 2 TDs)

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SCHEDULE

I think we took great strides in our first year in the program. You know, when you look in year one, you get a 10-win season, you finish ranked sixth in the country in the final polls, it was really exciting. It showed how fast our guys bought in to what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to build.

Dan Mullen, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

by Van Jefferson (35 receptions, 503 yards, six touchdowns).

“It’s the same guys [as last year], but you are talking about another year,” Mullen said after the spring game.

“These guys are bigger, faster [and] stronger with a year in the program, understanding the offensive scheme and understanding making plays within the offense.”

Florida’s offense finished the season by averaging 45 points in a four-game winning streak, capped by a 41-15 thumping of Michigan in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

The defense held six teams to 15 points or less. Seven starters return, including three in the secondary, led by cornerback CJ Henderson. Also returning is coordinator Todd Grantham. The former NFL assistant spent 2017 with Mullen at Mississippi State and accompanied him to Gainesville. Florida gave Grantham a raise to turn down the Cincinnati Bengals in February.

HALL OF FAME

Florida Communications QB Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner, led the nation in touchdown passes in 1995 (35) and 1996 (39).

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

29

GEORGIA (2018 RECORD: 11-3) Kirby Smart (32-10; 32-10 in three seasons at Georgia) • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

SEASON OUTLOOK

twelve starters return for hungry bulldog team QB Fromm, RB Swift lead stacked offense Only three programs have won more games in the past two seasons than Georgia. But all the Bulldogs care about is winning a national championship, so they came up short.

“Our whole motto this spring and offseason has been ‘Do more,’” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said on The Paul Finebaum Show during the Southeastern Conference spring meetings.

“Whatever we’ve done is not enough. Whether it is 24 wins or whatever it has been over two years, it is not enough.”

Two years ago, Georgia twice had a 13-point lead over Alabama in the national championship game, but the Crimson Tide rallied for a 26-23 overtime victory. Last season, Georgia twice had a 14-point lead over Alabama in the SEC title game, but the Tide won 35-28 to advance to the College Football Playoff. A deflated Georgia went to the Sugar Bowl and lost to Texas.

Georgia returns 12 starters

D’ANDRE SWIFT AP photo

KEY PLAYERS T Andrew Thomas (28 starts), QB Jake Fromm (206-of-306, 2,749 yards, 30 TDs, 6 INTs), RB D’Andre Swift (1,049 yards, 6.4 avg., 10 TDs), S Richard LeCounte (74 tackles, 1 INT, 2 FR), S J.R. Reed (66 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs), OT Cade Mays (11 games played), RT Isaiah Wilson (14 starts), CB Tyson Campbell (45 tackles, 2 FR, 1 FF)

SCHEDULE 8/31 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 9/7 vs. Murray State Sanford Stadium 9/14 vs. Arkansas State Sanford Stadium 9/21 vs. Notre Dame Sanford Stadium 10/5 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium 10/12 vs. South Carolina Sanford Stadium 10/19 vs. Kentucky Sanford Stadium 11/2 vs. Florida TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville 11/9 vs. Missouri Sanford Stadium 11/16 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 11/23 vs. Texas A&M Sanford Stadium 11/30 at Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium

who are taking aim at the program’s first national title since

QUOTABLE

HALL OF FAME

I feel like we made great strides in each season in the way we teach, in the way we learn, in the way we develop players. It’s been tremendous for us to grow. You don’t have to have experience to excel, but it is an invaluable teacher.

Kirby Smart, head coach

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1980. Leading the way is junior quarterback Jake Fromm, who has started 29 games.

He threw for 2,749 yards last season with 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He completed 67.3 percent of his passes and had a passing efficiency of 171.2 to rank fifth in the country.

Four starting offensive linemen return, led by allconference left tackle Andrew Thomas. Running back D’Andre Swift, a second-team All-SEC player, rushed for 1,049 yards with 10 touchdowns, and the Bulldogs led the SEC in rushing with 238.8 yards per game.

Defensively, Georgia allowed only 314.3 yards per game to rank second in the SEC. Junior safety Richard LeCounte, who led the team with 74 tackles, returns as do three of the next four leading tacklers: senior safety J.R. Reed, junior linebacker Monty Rice and senior linebacker Tae Crowder.

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Courtesy of Georgia DE David Pollack was a threetime All-American and a Lombardi, Bednarik and Lott Trophy winner.

He holds the Bulldogs’ record for career sacks with 36.

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KENTUCKY (2018 RECORD: 10-3) Mark Stoops (36-39; 36-39 in six seasons at Kentucky) • Kroger Field (61,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

wildcats look to build on breakthrough season Kentucky lost key stars Allen, Snell to NFL

TERRY WILSON AP photo

KEY PLAYERS

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Toledo Kroger Field 9/7 vs. Eastern Michigan Kroger Field 9/14 vs. Florida Kroger Field 9/21 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium 9/28 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 10/12 vs. Arkansas Kroger Field 10/19 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 10/26 vs. Missouri Kroger Field 11/9 vs. Tennessee Kroger Field 11/16 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 11/23 vs. UT Martin Kroger Field 11/30 vs. Louisville Kroger Field

program is getting better each and every year.”

QUOTABLE

QB Terry Wilson (180-of268, 1,889 yards, 11 TDs, 8 INTs), LB Kash Daniel (84 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 5 QBH), WR Lynn Bowden Jr. (67 receptions, 745 yards, 5 TDs), WR Josh Ali (10 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD), LT Landon Young (13 games played), LB Chris Oats (27 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 FR), RB Asim Rose (442 yards, 6.2 avg., 5 TDs), S Davonte Robinson (42 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 PBU), LB Jamar Watson (24 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 sacks)

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Kentucky had a season for the ages. Now the challenge is for seasons like that to not be an anomaly.

The Wildcats were 10-3, reaching double-digit win figures for the first time since 1977. They snapped a 31game losing streak to Florida and earned a Citrus Bowl victory over Penn State.

It was a much-needed breakthrough season for Mark Stoops, who had been 26-36, never winning more than seven games in a season.

Now he has to replace huge game-breakers in unanimous All-America linebacker Josh Allen and record-setting running back Benny Snell Jr., along with 12 other starters. “[Last year] was extremely rewarding for us,” Stoops told reporters during the Southeastern Conference spring meetings. “We worked for many years to put ourselves in that position. It’s our expectation to get better every year.

Our foundation is there — our

[The success of 2018] meant a great deal, first and foremost for our players that put in a lot of hard work for many years. Our fan base, they deserve that.

We want to continue to improve on that. Our coaching staff, our players, our fans, we’ve all been in this together, and we want to continue to grow and continue to improve.

Mark Stoops, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Kentucky sent eight players to the NFL combine in April. All but one of them had been twoor three-star recruits, including Allen and Snell.

“That’s telling you that you are doing some good things in the developmental piece,” Stoops said.

The Wildcats are counting heavily on quarterback Terry Wilson. He completed 67 percent of his passes, throwing for only 1,889 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He is a dual threat with 547 yards rushing, but the Wildcats will need more game-changing passing plays.

“Coach Stoops has been challenging us to move the ball down the field and make some deep throws,” Wilson said after the spring game.

Wilson’s favorite target returns in junior wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr., who had 67 catches for 745 yards.

Defensively, the Wildcats have to replace seven starters, including the entire secondary.

HALL OF FAME

Courtesy of Kentucky RB Moe Williams holds the Wildcat single-season record for rushing yards with 1,600 and the single-game mark at 299. He is third in career rushing yards with 3,333.

MISSOURI (2018 RECORD: 8-5) Barry Odom (19-19; 19-19 in three seasons at Missouri) • Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field (65,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

bryant’s transfer gives boost to tigers’ outlook QB has experienced playmakers around him

KELLY BRYANT AP photos

Former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant didn’t know Missouri was the “Show-Me State,” but it didn’t take long for him to adopt the slogan.

Bryant joined and opted to stay with the Tigers despite uncertainty surrounding the program. Missouri is appealing NCAA sanctions it was hit with in January, including a postseason ban this season.

“We have a chip on our shoulders,” Bryant told the Missouri Network after spring drills. “The group of guys, the seniors, we met and said, ‘It is what it is, but we are going to be here. If somebody don’t want to be here, just go ahead and let us know early, [because] from this day forward, we’re going to put our best foot forward.’”

The NCAA likely won’t rule on Missouri’s appeal until after the season starts, something the players and coaches aren’t dwelling on.

“You dust yourself off a little bit and say, ‘Let’s get going,’ because any wasted

SCHEDULE 8/31 at Wyoming

Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium

9/7 vs. West Virginia Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 9/14 vs. Southeast Missouri State Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 9/21 vs. South Carolina Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 10/5 vs. Troy Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 10/12 vs. Ole Miss Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 10/19 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium 10/26 at Kentucky Kroger Field 11/9 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 11/16 vs. Florida Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 11/23 vs. Tennessee Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 11/29 vs. Arkansas War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

time on that does absolutely zero for what we need to go accomplish,” Missouri coach

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

TE Albert Okwuegbunam (43 receptions, 466 yards, 6 TDs), QB Kelly Bryant (with Clemson: 36-of-54, 461 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT), RB Larry Rountree III (1,216 yards, 5.4 avg., 11 TDs), WR Johnathon Johnson (59 receptions, 737 yards, 5 TDs), LB Cale Garrett (112 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 6 QBH), S Tyree Gillespie (48 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QBH), LT Yasir Durant (22 starts), DT Jordan Elliott (24 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks)

We’ve got a great group of returning starters, or guys that played meaningful snaps on both sides of the ball. ... The most important part of our program: leadership, culture and the people that we have in the positions at Mizzou that we do. ...

I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be the head coach of this group.

Barry Odom, head coach

Barry Odom said on Columbia television station KOMU. Missouri has big expectations because of Bryant, who led Clemson to the College Football Playoff as a junior, passing for 2,802 yards, rushing for 665 yards and accounting for 24 touchdowns.

Last season, Bryant accounted for 259 total yards and two scores in helping Clemson beat Texas A&M, but opted to take a redshirt after getting beat out a few weeks later by Trevor Lawrence.

The NFL experience of Missouri offensive coordinator Derek Dooley weighed heavily in Bryant picking the Tigers.

“I feel like he understands me,” Bryant said. “He knows my situation. He caters to some of the things I do well.”

Bryant has playmakers in running back Larry Rountree III (225 carries, 1,216 yards), wide receiver Johnathon Johnson (59 receptions, 737 yards) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (43 receptions, 466 yards).

HALL OF FAME

WR Jeremy Maclin claimed the school records for all-purpose yards for a single game (360), single season (2,833) and career (5,609).

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SOUTH CAROLINA (2018 RECORD: 7-6) Will Muschamp (50-38; 22-17 in three seasons at South Carolina) • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

SEASON OUTLOOK

bentley needs support from running back crew Gamecocks return three starters on O-line South Carolina needs to develop a running game if quarterback Jake Bentley’s final season is to be his best.

Bentley, the Southeastern Conference’s most experienced quarterback, is 19-13 as a starter, including 10-7 in league play. He’s thrown for 7,385 yards with 54 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

He’s accomplished that with a so-so running game.

The Gamecocks have averaged only 136.5 yards rushing per game in Bentley’s three seasons. The team has finished in the Top 100 in rushing once in that time — last year, when it was 91st.

“You gotta have that guy who can run through contact and that can hit the home run and turn a 4- to 6-yard gain into a 60-yard gain, and we haven’t done that consistently at South Carolina in my three years,” South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said after the spring game.

JAKE BENTLEY AP photos

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. North Carolina

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte

9/7 vs. Charleston Southern Williams-Brice Stadium 9/14 vs. Alabama Williams-Brice Stadium 9/21 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 9/28 vs. Kentucky Williams-Brice Stadium 10/12 at Georgia Sanford Stadium 10/19 vs. Florida Williams-Brice Stadium 10/26 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium 11/2 vs. Vanderbilt Williams-Brice Stadium 11/9 vs. Appalachian State Williams-Brice Stadium 11/16 at Texas A&M Kyle Field 11/30 vs. Clemson Williams-Brice Stadium

That could change this year with three of the team’s four leading rushers returning, in-

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

QB Jake Bentley (240-of388, 3,171 yards, 27 TDs, 14 INTs), RB Rico Dowdle (654 yards, 4 TDs), WR Bryan Edwards (55 receptions, 846 yards, 7 TDs), LB T.J. Brunson (106 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4 sacks), LB Sherrod Greene (73 tackles, 3 TFL), WR Shi Smith (45 receptions, 673 yards, 4 TDs), TE Kiel Pollard (15 receptions, 181 yards, 2 TDs), CB R.J. Roderick (56 tackles, 1 PBU, 2 FF), DT Javon Kinlaw (38 tackles, 10 TFL, 4.5 sacks)

I know people are going to ask me about the schedule. Hell, the schedule’s hard every year. That is the way I look at it. We have a great opportunity to step forward as a program to be in the limelight on Saturdays in the Southeastern Conference and take advantage of the opportunities we have in front of us.

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Will Muschamp, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

cluding Rico Dowdle and Mon Denson.

“It’s getting a lot better,” Bentley said. “As the running backs continue to compete and find that guy, it’s going to make the run game so much better.”

The success of the running game hinges on a revamped offensive line that has three returning starters. Junior Sadarius Hutcherson is moving to left tackle from right guard and senior Donell Stanley will play left guard after being at center.

Deebo Samuel, Bentley’s favorite target, is in the NFL, but Bryan Edwards and Shi Smith combined for 100 catches last season for 1,519 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Gamecocks return their top tacklers in linebackers T.J. Brunson (106) and Sherrod Greene (73).

They’re part of seven returning starters expected to improve a unit that allowed 424.3 yards per game to rank 12th in the SEC, forcing just 16 turnovers.

HALL OF FAME

QB Steve Taneyhill, who played from 1992 to 1995, holds the school records for career and single-season passing touchdowns and is second in career passing yards.

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TENNESSEE (2018 RECORD: 5-7) Jeremy Pruitt (5-7; 5-7 in one season at Tennessee) • Neyland Stadium (102,455)

SEASON OUTLOOK

optimism in knoxville after glimmers in 2018 Volunteers look to revamp offensive attack

JARRETT GUARANTANO AP photos

KEY PLAYERS QB Jarrett Guarantano (153-of-246, 1,907 yards, 12 TDs, 3 INTs), RB Ty Chandler (630 yards, 5.5 avg., 4 TDs), RB Tim Jordan (522 yards, 4.0 avg., 3 TDs), LB Daniel Bituli (79 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack), S Nigel Warrior (64 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU), WR Marquez Callaway (37 receptions, 592 yards, 2 TDs), WR Josh Palmer (23 receptions, 484 yards, 2 TDs), TE Dominick Wood-Anderson (17 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TDs)

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Tennessee had typical growing pains in 2018 that accompany a coaching change. But victories at 21stranked Auburn and against 12th-ranked Kentucky generated plenty of optimism.

“To me, the most important thing is playing the right way,” head coach Jeremy Pruitt said on The Paul Finebaum Show during the Southeastern Conference spring meetings. “Everybody wants to measure it on wins and losses, but to me, there’s a certain way you have to play.

We did that a few times, so we’ve actually seen it, felt it, experienced it. Now the goal is to do it every week.”

The Vols have only 10 seniors, but 16 starters return. “[They] are now big enough and strong enough to play in this league,” Pruitt said.

That wasn’t the case last season, especially on offense.

The Vols averaged only 325.5 yards per game to rank last in the SEC. Pruitt hired offensive coordina-

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Georgia State Neyland Stadium 9/7 vs. BYU Neyland Stadium 9/14 vs. Chattanooga Neyland Stadium 9/21 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 10/5 vs. Georgia Neyland Stadium 10/12 vs. Mississippi State Neyland Stadium 10/19 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium 10/26 vs. South Carolina Neyland Stadium 11/2 vs. UAB Neyland Stadium 11/9 at Kentucky Kroger Field 11/23 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field 11/30 vs. Vanderbilt Neyland Stadium

tor Jim Chaney away from Georgia to perk up a unit that was held under 20 points five

QUOTABLE

After being there for a year, we know the players that we have. We know what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are, and I think that’s been extremely important in the development of our football team.

Obviously, the longer you do something, the better you get at it.

Jeremy Pruitt, head coach

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

times.

Chaney has 10 starters to work with, including junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who threw for 1,907 yards, completing 62.2% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Leading receiver Marquez Callaway (37 receptions, 592 yards) is back along with Josh Palmer (23 receptions, 484 yards).

The Vols struggled running the ball, averaging 129.1 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry, the worst in the league.

Leading rushers Ty Chandler (115 carries, 630 yards) and Tim Jordan (132 carries, 522 yards) are primed for big years.

Tennessee’s defense allowed 377.4 yards per game to rank ninth in the SEC. In the victories over Auburn and Kentucky, Tennessee allowed an average of 355 yards and forced three turnovers in each game. Linebacker Daniel Bituli and safety Nigel Warrior led the team in tackles with 79 and 64 tackles, respectively.

HALL OF FAME

RB George Cafego rushed for 1,589 yards and earned two AllAmerica nods in his time with the Volunteers, which included an undefeated regular season in 1939.

VANDERBILT (2018 RECORD: 6-7) Derek Mason (24-38; 24-38 in five seasons at Vanderbilt) • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)

SEASON OUTLOOK

commodores to rely on Vaughn, receiving corps New QBs bring athleticism, run potential

KALIJA LIPSCOMB AP photos

Quarterback has been a position of strength for Vanderbilt in recent years, thanks to four-year starter Kyle Shurmur.

That should continue, despite having to replace the recordsetting Shurmur with someone who has never started a game for the Commodores.

“We’ve got two quarterbacks, and that’s more than most can say in the SEC,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said after the team’s spring football game.

Ball State graduate transfer Riley Neal and junior redshirt Deuce Wallace are vying to be under center for the season opener against Georgia. Wallace has played in only four games, but this is his fourth season in the program. Neal made 32 starts at Ball State, throwing for 7,393 yards and rushing for 1,363 yards, accounting for 61 touchdowns.

The athleticism of both opens up the playbook.

“It just allows us to be a little more multidimensional in terms of what we’ll do,” Mason said. “I don’t think anyone at

SCHEDULE 8/31 vs. Georgia Vanderbilt Stadium 9/7 at Purdue Ross-Ade Stadium 9/21 vs. LSU Vanderbilt Stadium 9/28 vs. Northern Illinois Vanderbilt Stadium 10/5 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium 10/12 vs. UNLV Vanderbilt Stadium 10/19 vs. Missouri Vanderbilt Stadium 11/2 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium 11/9 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 11/16 vs. Kentucky Vanderbilt Stadium 11/23 vs. East Tennessee State Vanderbilt Stadium 11/30 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

quarterback is going to run a ton. You may see some speedoption. You may see maybe some zone-read at times.”

KEY PLAYERS

QUOTABLE

RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn (1,244 yards, 12 TDs), WR Kalija Lipscomb (87 receptions, 916 yards, 9 TDs), TE Jared Pinkney (50 receptions, 774 yards, 7 TDs), WR C.J. Bolar (34 receptions, 440 yards, 2 TDs), LB Dimitri Moore (84 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 4 QBH), S Tae Daley (45 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), DL Dayo Odeyingbo (28 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 6 QBH), QB Riley Neal (with Ball State: 194-of-335, 1,917 yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs)

Whoever gets the quarterback position, wins the starting job, is going to have a pretty good supporting cast. We’re pretty deep in all positions — tight end, receivers, running back. I believe we’re deeper in the quarterback room. He’s just got to manage the game. He’s got to make sure that he can make the plays that he’s capable of making.

Derek Mason, head coach

Vanderbilt does plan on running more with Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who rushed for 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.

Vaughn will be complemented by a talented receiving corps, led by wideouts Kalija Lipscomb (87 catches, 916 yards, nine touchdowns) and C.J. Bolar (34 receptions, 440 yards) and tight end Jared Pinkney (50 receptions, 774 yards, seven touchdowns).

“We’re stacked,” said Lipscomb, a second-team All-SEC pick. “I don’t think people get the full gist of the talent we have in that room.”

Vanderbilt returns five starters on defense, led by sophomore linebacker Dimitri Moore, who had 84 tackles.

Vanderbilt has to replace the team’s other four leading tacklers from last season. But Mason, in his sixth season, is banking on his most talented and deepest squad helping the unit improve the 438.9 yards per game it allowed, which ranked 13th in the SEC.

HALL OF FAME

WR Jordan Matthews was an AllAmerican, and holds the SEC career records for receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,759).

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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UAB quarterback Tyler Johnston III is caught between Texas A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson, left, and defensive lineman Bobby Brown on Nov. 17, 2018, at Kyle Field.

AP photo

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SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

READY TO SWARM Aggie run defense was a bright spot in 2018

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com In early December, it appeared Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko’s stay in Aggieland could be short.

Reports swirled that after one season with the Aggies, Elko could be in line to fill the head coaching vacancy at Temple.

It’s a narrative that Aggie fans might become accustomed to in years to come, but only because Elko decided to continue with an Aggie defense that finished 2018 trending upward.

Head coach Jimbo Fisher said no salesmanship was needed in convincing the defensive head of the program to stay in College Station.

“I don’t think the task to keep him on board is that tough, because I think you look at A&M and what we have and what we’re building and the players we have coming, and he knows what the future of this program is going to be, and Mike wants to do that for sure,” Fisher said.

The recent past for the Aggie defense includes struggles to stop the run, especially against Southeastern Conference opponents. In 2017, the Aggies allowed 170 yards rushing per game, which ranked 70th in the country and ninth in the SEC. A&M ranked 78th in total defense.

Enter Elko and a return to the runstopping focus of Aggie lore. A&M finished 2018 with the third-best rush defense in the nation, allowing 95.2 yards per game.

Elko’s second year at A&M will feature a focus on the future after the departure of seven defensive starters, including five from the front seven.

Anchoring the defense with experience is the line, which returns junior interior linemen Justin Madubuike and Jayden Peevy, a key reserve who saw action in every game and had one start. Sophomore defensive tackle Bobby Brown is expected to work his way into the starting rotation as well after recording 14 tackles and a tackle for loss as a freshman.

“We have those guys like Bobby, like young guys that are hungry to get out there and play,” Madubuike said. “So I have no doubt that they are going to do that.”

On the outside, sophomore Tyree Johnson will step in the spotlight after recording

Texas A&M finished with the third-best rush defense in the nation.

a sack and a half last season with action in all 13 games. Opposite Johnson is Micheal Clemons, who will get his shot after sitting out last season with a foot injury.

“I think hopefully he’ll have a very solid year if he stays healthy,” Fisher said of Clemons’ potential impact. “His leadership has been good. He’s working his tail off, and he had a great spring. He’s a very physical football player. He can rush and he’s athletic and he’s long. Man, he plays with great physicality.”

The Aggies lost both tackle leaders to the NFL in linebackers Otaro Alaka and Tyrel Dodson, leaving the door open for a young group to fill the void. Junior Buddy Johnson accrued the most experience last season, with 27 tackles and half a sack in 12 games.

Sophomore Anthony Hines III returns to action after missing almost all of last season with a lower leg injury.

“He’s bigger,” Fisher said of Hines. “He’s running extremely well. They said in the summer he was top of the sprints in running, and it looks like he’s put on some size.”

The secondary is where Elko can make the most improvement in his second year. A&M had the nation’s 98th-ranked defense in passing yards allowed at 253.2 per game.

“We’ve got to get better in pass coverage, but we’ve also got to get better in rushes,”

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Fisher said. “We’ve got to be able to put pressure on the quarterback and create those things and cover better and mix things up, and hopefully we will.”

Hope lies in the late-season strides made by sophomore safety Leon O’Neal. As a true freshman, O’Neal recorded 14 total tackles, including six and an interception in the Aggies’ Gator Bowl appearance.

Arizona Western Community College transfer Elijah Blades joins an experienced mix at cornerback that includes junior Myles Jones, senior Charles Oliver and junior Debione Renfro. Blades had two interceptions and nine pass breakups in two JUCO seasons.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who had been three-year starters now and really a lot of experience,” Aggie quarterback Kellen Mond said. “Leon comes back for a second year and there is a lot of depth, so I really look forward to those guys being able to have a second year with Coach Elko’s system, and I really look forward to them having a really good season.”

Madubuike said Elko’s defense will present some different looks this year thanks to a few new wrinkles he was able to add during fall camp. It’s the luxury of continuity, Fisher said.

“That is huge,” Fisher said. “It lets them relax on not just where to be but what they’re doing.”

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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key returning players on DEFENSE Justin Madubuike

Debione Renfro

• Seemingly overlooked playing alongside veterans Kingsley Keke, Landis Durham and Daylon Mack last season, Madubuike made 40 tackles, including 10.5 for losses, and had 5.5 sacks. He returns as the veteran to lead a defensive line high on talent but low on experience. If Madubuike, who made the preseason Bednarik Award watch list, can improve on those numbers and command more attention from offensive lines, the young guys could get an opportunity to make plays.

• The 6-foot-2 Renfro was physical with opposing receivers and made it difficult for quarterbacks to throw in his direction last season, when he recorded five pass deflections. Renfro, a sure tackler with three forced fumbles in his career, provides a consistent presence in a secondary that features several new faces and some trying to bounce back from disappointing seasons.

Junior, defensive tackle

Anthony Hines III Sophomore, linebacker

• Hines didn’t get the chance to build off a promising freshman season last year, suffering a season-ending leg injury against Clemson. With starters Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka now in the NFL, the Aggies need Hines to quickly develop into the playmaking force they envisioned when they signed him as a four-star prospect out of Plano East. Hines and Buddy Johnson are the front-runners for the two starting spots.

Junior, cornerback

Leon O’Neal Jr. (right) Sophomore, safety

• The young gun who talks a big game will have the chance to back it up this season.

O’Neal, who has fanned the flames on Twitter this summer regarding comparisons between him and Texas’ Caden Sterns, shined when he had the chance to start in the Gator Bowl last season. He had an interception and a pass deflection to go with six tackles, one for a loss.

Braden Mann Senior, punter

•The defending Ray Guy Award recipient

AP photo also showed his defensive prowess with a big hit and a forced fumble against South Carolina last year. Mann set an NCAA record last season, averaging 51 yards per punt, and placed 19 of his 50 kicks inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. The Aggies will be playing some young players on defense, so the long fields Mann forces opposing teams to drive will be vital.

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OTHER EVENTS 756 Houston Street, College Station, TX 77843 Regarded as one of the nation's most intimidating road venues, Texas A&M's Kyle Field has been the home of the Aggie football team since 1905. The Aggies have always been tough to beat at Kyle Field with an all-time record of 402-161-19 (70.7 winning percentage) on their home field. Kyle Field was named for Edwin Jackson Kyle, who served as Texas A&M's dean of agriculture and athletic council president. Kyle donated a 400 x 400-foot area of the southern edge of campus that had been assigned to him for horticultural experiments.

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41

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant is sacked

by Texas A&M defensive lineman Justin Madubuike on Sept. 8, 2018 at Kyle Field.

AP photo

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SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

A NEW LEADER ON ‘D’ Madubuike steps up after strong performance in 2018

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com In 2018, facemasks stood no chance against Texas A&M defensive lineman Justin Madubuike.

In his second game playing in the Aggies’ rotation, Madubuike received a personal foul for pulling the helmet off Louisiana-Monroe quarterback Caleb Evans. The following week, his grip separated the facemask from Alabama running back Damien Harris’ headgear.

So it might surprise some that with a bright Madubuike smile and a soft-spoken tone, Madubuike described himself as “chill.”

“I’ll just be chilling,” the junior said. “I’ll be watching movies. I like to shop. I like to hang out with my family and talk with my family, just be a normal guy.”

He has become a force in the A&M defensive front, where he will be the only returning starter this season.

“It’s just being a leader, just leading the guys towards the right step, leading by example, speaking when something needs to be said, me being an older guy,” Madubuike said. “Now a lot of young guys are looking up to me, and I recognize that, so I try to emphasize the right things to do on and off the field.”

Last season, Madubuike finished seventh on the team in total tackles with 40, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Only senior defensive ends Kingsley Keke and Landis Durham had more sacks with seven and 6.5, respectively. Madubuike also forced three fumbles and recorded five quarterback hurries.

Without Durham and Keke, as well as defensive tackle Daylon Mack and linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka, A&M’s young defense will follow the lead of Madubuike, who said he didn’t see himself in this position last year. While he played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2017, he recorded just 20 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. It was a distant shade of the production he achieved at McKinney North, where he had 75 tackles,

Justin Madubuike had 40 tackles in 2018, including 10.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks.

35 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks as a junior in 2014.

Despite entering A&M as a consensus four-star recruit, Madubuike said he continually sees himself as an underdog.

“I always feel like I have a chip on my shoulder, even since high school, and the recruiting always felt like I had a chip,” he said.

“I just believe in hard work, and, like, words don’t mean nothing — your actions do.”

A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher says he’s continued to see that work ethic as the defensive lineman becomes a face of the program.

“Madubuike, of course, had an outstanding year last year, and I think he’s in that same mold coming on, and he has to take another step like you always do when you grow,” Fisher said. “He seems to be doing that now.”

That includes honing his aggression that flips on when he enters the field. Madubuike described a practice in which he made a clean move past an offensive lineman and ended up making contact with quarterback Kellen Mond, knocking the Aggies’ starter to the ground. The response from Fisher was firm,

AP photo

Madubuike said with a smile.

“Get the hell off the field!” the lineman remembered Fisher shouting. “If you do that again you’re kicked off the team.”

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Madubuike was part of A&M’s representation at Southeastern Conference Media Days in July, which called for a fashionable outfit. Madubuike said he typically has to head to the Galleria in Houston to find options that fit his frame.

“It was supposed to be like this color, but more checker, but they didn’t have something that fit me in my size, so I just went with this and I think it turned out good,” he said with a smile.

Size and aggression aside, Madubuike continues to show that “chill,” youthful side while being a leader for A&M. When in Los Angeles for a trip to the ESPYs, Madubuike met Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson, who gave him a run for his money on aggressiveness.

“He shook the heck out of my hand,” Madubuike said. “I was like, ‘Dang, AP. Jeez, bro. Don’t break my hand.’”

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the road ahead

By MARIA MCILWAIN maria.mcilwain@theeagle.com

After a strong 2018 season headlined by the historic seven-overtime win over LSU, Texas A&M is back for more in Jimbo Fisher’s second season at the helm. The road isn’t any easier, though, as the Aggies again face national champion Clemson and runner-up Alabama, along with road trips to Georgia and LSU. Here’s a look at what’s to come for A&M this fall.

TEXAS STATE

vs. Arkansas

Aug. 29

Sept. 28

Nov. 2

(2018 record: 3-9)

(2-10)

(3-9)

at Clemson

ALABAMA

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Aggies again open the season on a Thursday night. Fans can expect a blowout similar to that of last year’s opener against Northwestern State. The Bobcats were 3-9 last year, including a five-game losing streak. It will be former A&M offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s head coaching debut with Texas State.

Sept. 7

There are plenty of familiar names on the Arkansas roster, from head coach (and A&M grad) Chad Morris to quarterback Nick Starkel.

Starkel’s transfer from A&M will add some intrigue to a matchup the Aggies haven’t lost since joining the SEC in 2012. The Razorbacks were just 2-10 last year, going 0-8 in conference action.

Oct. 12

(15-0)

A&M gets a big test with the defending national champions. A&M nearly upset the Tigers last year at Kyle Field, but fell 28-26.

Junior quarterback Kellen Mond threw three touchdowns in a great second half, and a year in Fisher’s system could help him take the next step in his development. Clemson counters with sophomore Trevor Lawrence, who last year threw for 3,280 yards on 259-of-397 passing with just four interceptions.

(14-1)

Alabama doesn’t lose many football games, and has won six straight against the Aggies. The Crimson Tide returns record-setting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a trio of junior wide receivers in Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith. A win would catapult the Aggies onto the national stage.

at OLE MISS Oct. 19

lAMAR

(5-7)

After losing four of its first five games, Lamar went on a six-game winning streak in Southland Conference play to finish above .500 for the first time since 2014. Despite missing three games with an injury, Myles Wanza led the team in rushing last season with 683 yards.

The Rebels performed better than expected, posting a 5-7 record last season. But with six players leaving for the NFL Draft, it’s hard to predict whether Ole Miss will build on last year’s successes. Last year, the Rebels and Aggies were tied going into the fourth quarter before A&M pulled away for a 38-24 win at Kyle Field.

Ole Miss returns a pair of productive running backs in 2019.

aUBURN

Mississippi State

Sept. 14 (7-5)

Sept. 21 (8-5)

Oct. 26

Auburn came back for a 28-24 victory over A&M last year at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers will have a new quarterback, but eight eligible NFL prospects elected to return to Auburn this season. Those veterans, along with youngsters such as sophomore running back JaTarvious Whitlow, potentially set up a thriller. The Aggies have topped the Tigers on the road three times since joining the SEC, but have never beaten them at Kyle Field.

UTSA

(8-5)

Despite leading at halftime, A&M only scored three second-half points and lost 28-13 to the Bulldogs last year in Starkville. Mississippi State, which allowed just 263.1 total yards per game and a paltry 95.1 rushing yards per game, lost several key players, including three first-rounders on defense. Without them to deal with, A&M could have opportunities to be more productive and end its three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.

The Aggies get a reprieve from their grueling SEC West schedule when UTSA comes to town. The Roadrunners ended 2018 on a six-game losing streak, and were held under 10 points in five of their nine losses last season, failing to score a touchdown three times. UTSA gave A&M a tough game at Kyle Field in 2016, losing 23-10 to the ranked Aggies.

Nov. 16 (7-6)

The Aggies held off the Gamecocks 26-23 last season in Columbia after building a 16-0 lead.

A solid connection between Mond and receiver Quartney Davis could again be key to extending A&M’s five-game winning streak in the series.

South Carolina has a veteran offense led by quarterback Jake Bentley and receivers Bryan Edwards and Shi Smith, coupled with a defense that features T.J. Brunson, who averaged 8.2 tackles per game last season.

AT GEORGIA Nov. 23 (11-3)

A&M has never faced Georgia in conference action. A win would provide quite a resume boost late in the season. Georgia, which fell to Alabama in the 2017 national championship game, has plenty of offensive weapons led by quarterback Jake Fromm, and a defense that comes highly touted under head coach Kirby Smart.

AT LSU Nov. 30 (10-3)

It won’t be as exhilarating as last season’s epic seven-overtime win, but an A&M-LSU matchup always is something to look forward to. LSU boasts four defensive backs with starting experience. Both teams come into 2019 with a lot of potential, and a win in the regular season finale could boost each team’s chances of landing a New Year’s Six bowl.

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Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Writers share how they think the season will go for A&M CHAREAN WILLIAMS Pro Football Talk

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

LSU; 3. Texas A&M; 4. Auburn; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Ole Miss; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. South Carolina; 4. Missouri; 5.

Tennessee; 6. Kentucky; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 9-3 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: If the Aggies didn’t have the schedule they have, it might be their year. As it stands, they appear a year away from contending. But if A&M can somehow, some way beat Clemson, then the Aggies will have confidence and momentum and could contend this year. The first step is learning how to win, and they took that step last year.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a success if: Last year, I said it was beating LSU. They did that. This season it is splitting the Murderer’s Row of Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Georgia. If the Aggies can go 2-2 in those four games, they will finish high in the polls and head into 2020 as a contender.

Fisher’s second season will be a step backward if: If the Aggies go 0-4 against Clemson,

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Alabama, LSU and Georgia.

Of A&M’s toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why: LSU, because the Aggies know they can beat them. Yes, it’s on the road, but A&M won’t be intimidated. Of those four teams, LSU also is the most beatable.

Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? Clemson is the defending national champion and at home. The Aggies came close at Kyle Field against them last season, but Trevor Lawrence wasn’t even Clemson’s starter then.

There’s been plenty of off-the-field news with the A&M-LSU series recently. What’s the next headline? Gatorade hires Ed Orgeron as pitchman.

RALPH RUSSO Associated Press

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Texas A&M; 3. Auburn; 4. LSU; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Arkansas; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. Missouri; 6. South Carolina; 7. Vanderbilt

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 9-3 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: At the top end, the schedule is brutal with road trips to Clemson, UGA and LSU. Then throw in ’Bama. The rest of the schedule is totally manageable. So the question is: Can the Aggies win at least one of those big four games and hold serve in the games they will be favored?

I think the offense should be more consistent with some progression from Mond. I’m not so worried about the loss of Trayveon Williams.

Running backs are not that tough to find in the SEC. The pass defense has to get better, and the Aggies have potential playmakers in the front seven. That and Mike Elko is a promising combination.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a success if: If he gets to 9-3 in the regular season.

So I guess I’m predicting unqualified success.

Fisher’s second season will be a step backward if: The Aggies slip to 4-4 in the SEC, are not particularly competitive against Clemson, Alabama and Georgia, and also lose at least one game in which they are favored.

Of A&M’s toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why?

LSU, no doubt. Those other three are in a dif-

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

ferent category than LSU. Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? Probably at Clemson. I know the Aggies hung with the Tigers last year, but that was pre-Trevor Lawrence going supernova, and Death Valley makes a big difference.

There’s been plenty of off-the-field news with the A&M-LSU series recently. What’s the next headline? LSU plans to target Fisher if Orgeron continues to struggle.

BRENT ZWERNEMAN Houston Chronicle

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Texas A&M; 3. LSU; 4. Auburn; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Arkansas; 7. Ole Miss Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. South Carolina; 4. Missouri; 5.

Tennessee; 6. Kentucky; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The Aggies will go as far as Kellen Mond will take ’em. The junior said this summer he was the best quarterback in the SEC, quite a boast with Tua Tagovailoa a few states over in Alabama. But if Mond takes down Tua and most others along the way, he’ll become the biggest deal in Aggieland since Bucky Richardson.

Johnny Manziel was quite popular, of course, but the Aggies didn’t finish better than third

in the SEC West with Manziel calling the shots. Look for another second-place finish behind Alabama with Mond in his third season, but we’ll know a lot more come midOctober after the Tide roll through town.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a success if: He duplicates last year’s 9-4 record with a much tougher schedule.

Fisher’s second season will be a step backward if: The joke used to be that Aug. 5 was Kevin Sumlin’s favorite day. No Aggie wants to regurgitate that bit with Sumlin’s successor, but it’s inevitable if A&M finishes 8-5 for the fourth time in the last six seasons. (It’s a pretty solid joke by the way.)

Of A&M’s four toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why? Alabama, which seems bananas on the surface. But it’s the only home game among the fearsome foursome, and last season A&M narrowly lost 28-26 at Kyle to eventual national champion Clemson. The Aggies’ other three losses against Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State all were on the road.

Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? Clemson. It comes so early in the season (Sept. 7), and over the last two seasons (including at FSU) Fisher is 1-3 in his first two games.

There’s been plenty of off-the-field news with the A&M-LSU series recently. What’s the next headline? Ed Orgeron, Jimbo Fisher and Reveille sign up to split an apartment in Pasadena in the offseason to tape a reality show dubbed Three’s Company Two and to better recruit Pearland and Manvel.

CHUCK CARLTON The Dallas Morning News

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

LSU; 3. Texas A&M; 4. Auburn; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Ole Miss; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. South Carolina; 4. Missouri; 5.

Tennessee; 6. Kentucky; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The Aggies will be improved in Year 2 under Jimbo Fisher. But will that improvement be reflected in the record? When you’re playing the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6 teams in the preseason coaches’ poll, that’s a bunch of heavy lifting, especially with just six seniors on the roster.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a success if: If Texas A&M can upset Alabama, Clemson or Georgia and be competitive in the other two games as well as the November Continued on Page 48

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47

Continued from Page 47

showdown in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Fisher’s second season will be a step backward if: If the Aggies drop all three games against Alabama, Clemson and Georgia, the LSU game and maybe a game they aren’t supposed to lose, like Mississippi State. No, 7-5 won’t be a disaster, but it won’t generate much momentum after a nice debut season.

Of A&M’s toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why?

While I think A&M gets a win against one of the big three, LSU is a better matchup. While LSU has elite talent again — when do the Tigers not? — who knows what the climate could be by the time the two teams meet?

What if the more open offense sputters, and Ed Orgeron goes conservative again? What if the vultures start circling? We know Clemson, Alabama and Georgia are going to be elite.

Not sure about LSU. Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? Alabama. A&M has lost six straight to the Crimson Tide since Johnny Manziel and the defense keyed that huge upset in 2012. A&M has been competitive in College Station, but this figures to be an Alabama team on a mission after what happened in the national championship game against

48

Clemson. Plus, there’s that 16-0 edge that Nick Saban has on his former assistants.

There’s been plenty of off-the-field news with the A&M-LSU series recently. What’s the next headline? I’m no psychic, but I do guarantee you that it will lead our website in page views when it happens.

KIRK BOHLS Austin American-Statesman

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

LSU; 3. Auburn; 4. Texas A&M; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Mississippi; 7. Arkansas.

Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Missouri; 4. South Carolina; 5.

Tennessee; 6. Kentucky; 7. Vanderbilt.

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: There’s a strong possibility the Aggies go 0-4 against the heavyweights on their schedule. If that bears out, it’d be hard to imagine them sweeping the other eight lesser opponents. I think the loss of the studs at running back and tight end and the void of mature linebackers could doom A&M to a mediocre season.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a success if: He can develop some linebackers and a playmaker or two in the line, knock off one of the Big Four and win nine games.

Fisher’s season will be a step backward

if: The Aggies aren’t competitive in their marquee games, get knocked off by an inferior Arkansas or Mississippi and win only seven games.

Of A&M’s four toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why? I’m going way out on a limb and say Alabama since it’s the only one of the four games that will be played at Kyle Field, and maybe just maybe the Crimson Tide’s invincibility took a big hit against Clemson.

Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? Clemson. Trevor Lawrence and the best receivers in college football should still be on a momentum roll from last year, this game is on the road for the Aggies, and Dabo Swinney knows his team needs to make a statement in its prime nonconference game.

SCOTT RABALAIS Baton Rouge Advocate

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

LSU; 3. Texas A&M; 4. Mississippi State; 5.

Auburn; 6. Ole Miss; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Missouri; 4. South Carolina; 5.

Kentucky; 6. Tennessee; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Aggies clearly look like a program on the rise under Jimbo Fisher, though they’re probably a bit ahead of schedule after winning nine games in 2018. This season even more will be expected, but the road schedule with games at Georgia, LSU and Clemson, plus Alabama at Kyle Field, is simply too tough. A four-loss season may have had Aggies turning cartwheels in 2018. In 2019, it will have Fisher preaching patience.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a success if: If A&M wins eight or more games.

Fisher’s second season will be a step backward if: If A&M only goes 7-5, which probably means it lost those three tough road games, lost at home to Alabama and stumbled against someone it was supposed to beat. That would make 2018 seem like a bit of a mirage.

Of A&M’s four toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why? Based off last year’s game I would have to say LSU, though the Tigers believe they were wronged by the refs last year and will be highly motivated for revenge.

Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? Alabama. The Crimson Tide is probably even better than it was last year overall, and the Aggies will be hardpressed to close that three-touchdown gap from last year’s result even though the game is

in College Station.

There’s been plenty of off-the-field news with the A&M-LSU series recently. What’s the next headline? LSU AD Scott Woodward announces the addition of 413 seats to Tiger Stadium for the A&M game, eclipsing Kyle Field by one.

OLIN BUCHANAN TexAgs

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

LSU; 3. Texas A&M; 4. Auburn; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Ole Miss; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

Florida; 3. Missouri; 4. South Carolina; 5.

Tennessee; 6. Kentucky; 7. Vanderbilt Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 9-3 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: The Aggies are good enough to win the games they should win, which means defeating South Carolina, Auburn and MSU at Kyle Field.

They’re also good enough to pull off at least one upset against the Big Four opponents of Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU. The offense will be explosive with Kellen Mond and a proven group of receivers. The defense should be better in the secondary, but the inexperience and thin depth at linebacker could be a problem.

Jimbo Fisher’s second season will be a suc-

cess if: If A&M continues to show progress.

That could mean equaling last season’s 9-4 finish against that schedule as long as they’re competitive in any losses. Ten wins would be a major success.

Fisher’s second season will be a step backward if: If the defense continues to give up big plays and Mond doesn’t show any progress. A&M cannot afford upsets to teams like Arkansas, Ole Miss and even Mississippi State at home.

Of A&M’s four toughest games against Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and LSU, which is the best matchup for the Aggies and why? The best matchup actually might be Clemson. Both teams could score in the 30s.

A&M had 26 last season against the stellar Clemson defense, which lost multiple firstround draft choices. Clemson will be rebuilding that defense and it helps to get them early in the season.

Of those games, which is the worst matchup and why? The worst matchup is probably Alabama, even at Kyle Field. Alabama’s group of receivers may be the most explosive in the country, and A&M’s secondary still has to prove itself. Alabama is so explosive it will probably score at least in the 30s every game.

Also, no team can just assume it will score 30 points or more against Alabama’s defense.

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PRESEASON ALL-SEC TEAM As voted by media members at SEC Media Days.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama RB: D’Andre Swift, Georgia RB: Najee Harris, Alabama WR: Jerry Jeudy, Alabama WR: Henry Ruggs III, Alabama TE: Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri OL: Andrew Thomas, Georgia OL: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama OL: Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn OL: Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama C: Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU DEFENSE DL: Raekwon Davis, Alabama DL: Derrick Brown, Auburn DL: Rashard Lawrence, LSU DL: Jabari Zuniga, Florida LB: Dylan Moses, Alabama LB: Anfernee Jennings, Alabama LB: Erroll Thompson, Mississippi State DB: Grant Delpit, LSU DB: J.R. Reed, Georgia DB: Trevon Diggs, Alabama DB: C.J. Henderson, Florida SPECIALISTS P: Braden Mann, Texas A&M PK: Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia Returner: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama All-purpose: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama SECOND TEAM OFFENSE QB: Jake Fromm, Georgia RB: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt RB: Lamical Perine, Florida WR: Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt WR: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama TE: Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt OL: Solomon Kindley, Georgia OL: Damien Lewis, LSU OL: Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms, Missouri OL: Isaiah Wilson, Georgia C: Darryl Williams, Mississippi State DEFENSE DL: Nick Coe, Auburn DL: Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M DL: Marlon Davidson, Auburn DL: Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina LB: Cale Garrett, Missouri LB: De’Jon Harris, Arkansas

AP photo Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown stops Alabama State running back Tallesin Farmer on Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.

LB: David Reese II, Florida DB: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama DB: Xavier McKinney, Alabama DB: Kristian Fulton, LSU DB: Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State SPECIALISTS P: Tommy Townsend, Florida PK: Anders Carlson, Auburn Returner: Marquez Callaway, Tennessee All-purpose: Kadarius Toney, Florida THIRD TEAM OFFENSE QB: Joe Burrow, LSU RB: Larry Rountree III, Missouri RB: JaTarvious Whitlow, Auburn WR: Justin Jefferson, LSU WR: Bryan Edwards, South Carolina TE (tie): Miller Forristall, Alabama, and Charlie Woerner, Georgia OL: Deonte Brown, Alabama OL: Ben Cleveland, Georgia

OL: Logan Stenberg, Kentucky OL: Matt Womack, Alabama C: Drake Jackson, Kentucky DEFENSE DL: LaBryan Ray, Alabama DL: McTelvin Agim, Arkansas DL: Chauncey Rivers, Mississippi State DL: Tyler Clark, Georgia LB: Terrell Lewis, Alabama LB: Jacob Phillips, LSU LB: Kash Daniel, Kentucky DB: DeMarkus Acy, Missouri DB: Shyheim Carter, Alabama DB: Richard LeCounte III, Georgia DB: Daniel Thomas, Auburn SPECIALISTS P: Arryn Siposs, Auburn PK: Evan McPherson, Florida Returner: Jashaun Corbin, Texas A&M All-purpose: Lynn Bowden, Kentucky

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

This year’s crop of fun and interesting SEC monikers

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com There is always a slew of great names among players in the Southeastern Conference. Previous winners of our annual AllName Team include Mister Cobble, Thaddeus Snodgrass, Adonis Thomas, Tommy Champion and last year’s victor, Smoke Monday.

Let’s take a look at the SEC rosters. Alliteration is always popular. A few favorites this year: Zach Zimos (Arkansas), Tariquious Tisdale (Ole Miss), Nathan Niehaus (Tennessee), Grayson Gunter (Arkansas), Darrian Dalcourt (Alabama), Shawn Shamburger (Tennessee), Shilo Sanders (South Carolina), Tyrone Truesdell (Auburn), Coleman Crozier (Florida), Wardrick Wilson (Florida), Peter Parrish (LSU), Cade Comeaux (LSU) and Barrett Banister (Missouri).

Some SEC players with famous names: author Stephen King (LSU), former baseball slugger Will Clark (Vanderbilt), fantasy

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football guru and College Station’s own Matt Berry (Arkansas), rock star Jack White (Ole Miss), Rocky and Bullwinkle creator Jay Ward (LSU), and Ghostbusters singer Ray Parker (LSU).

A Jerry Reed tribute that needs to happen: Photographers should keep an eye on the Alabama sidelines in hopes of getting a backof-the-jersey photo of tight end Giles Amos standing next to linebacker Dylan Moses.

Those two could hunt alligator for a living, and just knock ’em in the head with a stump.

Call them Ishmael: Ishmael Burdine (Missouri) can meet up with Ishmael Sopsher (Alabama) to talk Herman Melville and/or whaling in the 1840s.

Here’s a strong starting NBA squad, at least by first name: Iverson Clement (Florida), Akeem Hayes (Kentucky), Kobe Jones (Mississippi State), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) and Zion Sales (Missouri). But they’re no competition for Michael Jordan fans, as nine SEC players have Jordan as their first name.

Perhaps a height competition is in order for Jared Small (LSU), Seth Small (Texas A&M), Desmond Little (LSU) and Joshua Short (Mississippi State).

As the All-Name Team rules dictate, players are only eligible for one year. So we bid a fond farewell to last year’s Top 20: Smoke Monday (Auburn), Greedy Williams (LSU), Bumper Pool (Arkansas), Fabien Lovett (Mississippi State), Big Kat Bryant (Auburn), Rutger Reitmaier (Vanderbilt), Jake VanRonzelen (Ole Miss), Rip Kirk (Mississippi State), Riley Ridley (Georgia), Micah Baskerville (LSU), Summie Carlay (South Carolina), Powers Warren (Mississippi State), Major Tennison (Alabama), Jacob vonEschenbach (Auburn), Ameer Speed (Georgia), Vernon Dasher (Ole Miss), Slade Bolden (Alabama), Shaun Shivers (Auburn), Will Register (South Carolina) and LaTrell Bumphus (Tennessee).

Check out this year’s top 20 names on the next page.

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

1 Keon Zipperer 2 Florida Chris Bobo 3 Auburn SEC Rowdy Garza Alabama ALL-NAME 4 Kenneth Horsey 5 Kentucky TEAM Scooby Carter Here are our 20 6 Alabama selections for this Pierce Quick year’s team. All are 7 Alabama shown just as they are Chance Poore listed in the teams’ 8 Kentucky media guides.

Kavosiey Smoke 9 Kentucky Stetson Bennett 10 Georgia Tripp Slyman Alabama

11 Miles Battle 12 Ole Miss Karch Gardiner 13 Arkansas Ollie Lane 14 Tennessee Miles Miccichi 15 Georgia Sellers Shy 16 Ole Miss Snoop Conner 17 Ole Miss Rodricus Fitten 18 South Carolina Jay Shoop 19 Tennessee Justice Shelton-Mosley 20 Vanderbilt Xavier Legette South Carolina

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mix tape

AP photos

Taylor Swift (left), George Strait and Bjork.

Songs in the key of the SEC

By ROB CLARK rob.clark@theeagle.com

work / And if you complain once more / You’ll meet an army of me.”

There’s beer flowing at Kyle Field, sore fans in Baton Rouge and a Texas quarterback under an odd attack. Here’s a playlist of songs that relate to A&M, an old rival and the SEC.

LSU fans I’m Down by The Beatles (1965): Aggie fans are well-versed in heartbreaking losses. That’s what made the 74-72 seven-overtime win over LSU so gratifying. So we can sympathize, Tiger fans. That was a tough one. (A bonus connection to this Beatles tune: “I’m down” could also refer to Kellen Mond’s knee, which hit the ground before he threw an interception with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The drive continued, and the Aggies scored with no time remaining and tied the game to begin the long overtime odyssey.)

Lyrics: “I’m down (I’m really down) / I’m down (down on the ground) / I’m down (I’m really down) / How can you laugh when you know I’m down?”

Jimbo Fisher The Auctioneer by Leroy Van Dyke (1956): Not many of us knew prior to Jimbo Fisher’s arrival at Texas A&M just how fast he talks.

He can fly, and that impressive speed may be unmatched among football coaches. He probably could have made one hell of an auctioneer. (Good call, Coach.)

Lyrics: “He’d stand and listen carefully / Then pretty soon he began to see / How the auctioneer could talk so rapidly / He said, ‘Oh my, it’s do or die / I’ve got to learn that auction cry / Gotta make my mark and be an auctioneer’ / ... And the people came from miles around / Just to hear him make that rhythmic sound / That filled their hearts with such a happy cheer.”

Ross Bjork Army of Me by Bjork (1995): Sure, it’s a smidge obvious, but the name similarity between the A&M athletic director and the avant-garde Icelandic singer is a bit unusual.

This great driving track could be considered a tough motivation tune from the new Aggie boss. Heck, play it at Kyle Field each week. It’s better than If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).

Lyrics: “You’re all right / There’s nothing wrong / Self-sufficient, please / And get to

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Sam Ehlinger Mean by Taylor Swift (2010): It must have been strange for the Texas quarterback to get word that he had been dissed by a Hall of Famer. In June, NFL commentator Terry Bradshaw lashed out at Texas stacking up toprated quarterback recruits. (Bradshaw’s alma mater, Louisiana Tech, takes on Texas to start the season.) “He ain’t that good,” Bradshaw said of Ehlinger, though he didn’t call him by name. “You watch them throw the football and you go, man alive — like they go there and they can’t throw the football.” Defending Longhorn players is an unfamiliar feeling, but that’s a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary cattiness.

Lyrics: “And I can see you years from now in a bar / Talking over a football game / With that

same big loud opinion / But nobody’s listening / Washed up and ranting / About the same old bitter things / … But all you are is mean.”

Alcohol at Kyle Field Ready for the End of the World by George Strait (2005): The grand experiment of beer and wine being served through much of Kyle Field is upon us. Maybe the critics are right, and it will be a disaster. Maybe it will discourage binge-drinking at tailgate parties and booze-smuggling into the stadium. Or maybe it’s much ado about nothing, and we should all take a deep breath.

Lyrics: “I know the end is near / I’ve seen the warning signs / Been preparin’ myself / Layin’ in supplies / I bought a case of Jack / A box set of Merle / I’m gettin’ ready / Ready for the end of the world.”

Texas Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by Backstreet Boys (1997): “Texas is back, folks!”

That’s what ESPN’s Joe Tessitore breathlessly declared after the Longhorns beat Notre Dame in 2016. Yep, back to a 5-7 record by the end of the year, which was enough to send coach Charlie Strong packing. To the Longhorns’ credit, their 10-4 record in 2018 was their best since 2009, back when Mack Brown was in charge. Are the Longhorns truly back? Like back-with-Mack back? Or just Backstreet’s-back back? Let’s just picture Tom Herman lip-syncing this in the mirror.

Lyrics: “Oh my God, we’re back again / Brothers, sisters, everybody sing / Gonna bring the flavor, show you how / Got a question for you, better answer now / … Everybody / Rock your body right / Backstreet’s back, all right.”

SEC 2019 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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