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SEC 2 2 higher ground

Kellen Mond looks to lead Texas A&M to contender status

Photo by Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics

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SUPPORT SYSTEM Passing records in reach, but Mond needs help for a banner season

K

ellen Mond will leave Texas A&M with plenty of records, but not the respect that should go with them unless he has a banner season.

Barring an injury or games getting canceled, Mond will become the school’s career leader in passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdown passes. A&M’s not known for great quarterbacks, but Jerrod Johnson, Johnny Manziel, Stephen McGee, Kevin Murray, Reggie McNeal and Ryan Tannehill all had their moments. So topping them is impressive.

But if A&M struggles, Mond won’t be considered by most as even one of the program’s top five quarterbacks, let alone the ROBERT best. Heck, a few old-timers would say put Edd Hargett or Bucky Richardson under cenCESSNA ter this year and A&M wins the Southeastern Conference. That’s far-fetched, but Hargett and Richardson did win conference championships, something Mond hasn’t come close to accomplishing.

Championships and respect go hand in hand. Individual accomplishments don’t carry as much weight. Considering Mond is 4-9 against ranked teams, many of his numbers mean little to Aggie fans.

His best victory was the 74-72, seven-overtime win over eighth-ranked LSU in 2018. Mond threw a game-tying touchdown pass on the last play of regulation, then he threw four more TD passes in OT along with a touchdown run. A&M and Mond, though, caught a huge break when an official’s review showed Mond’s knee was down with 36 seconds to go in regulation, nullifying what would have been a game-ending interception.

Can you imagine if A&M had lost that game? The first victory over LSU since joining the SEC had Aggie fans ecstatic.

Adding a 52-13 blowout victory over North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl made 2018 a darn good season. The future appeared bright. But if that LSU call hadn’t been changed, you’re looking at back-to-back 8-5 seasons.

That’s a what-if that becomes worse the longer it’s considered, because A&M and Mond did little last season to build on that 9-4 season. The Aggies were competitive in four losses to Top 10 teams and ended by beating 25th-ranked Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl. But the bottom line remains they settled for another 8-5 year.

There were a couple nice games and some solid stats for Mond, including a career-best 61.6 completion percentage. But he was no better than the fourth-best quarterback in the SEC. You’re not going to make the College Football Playoff with the league’s fourth-best quarterback.

Mond has to be better, but so do those around him, especially the offensive line. Mond has yet to play behind an all-conference lineman. Seven of those eight previously mentioned Aggie quarterbacks played behind multiple all-conference linemen. Stephen McGee had only one, but he was a good one: Cody Wallace.

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Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Kellen Mond is the SEC’s most experienced quarterback. He enters his fourth year at Texas A&M, the third as a starter under Jimbo Fisher.

Erik McCoy, who started every game for the New Orleans Saints last season as an NFL rookie, was on the line during Mond’s freshman and sophomore years. But he wasn’t good enough to earn All-SEC honors. The SEC is just stacked with talent at the line of scrimmage.

You don’t win in the conference without it. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow had a heck of a season last year, winning the Heisman Trophy despite starting the year regarded as the league’s fourth- or fifth-best quarterback. Burrow had three all-conference linemen along with All-SEC players at running back and wide receiver. The linemen were arguably more important.

A&M’s line didn’t have a player anywhere near All-SEC caliber last year. Junior tackles Dan Moore Jr. and Carson Green failed to build on solid sophomore seasons, though Green played hurt. Center Colton Prater, who played because projected starter Ryan McCollum wasn’t 100% healthy, was hurt as well.

And if the iffy line wasn’t enough, the running game had to be overhauled after projected starter Jashaun Corbin injured his hamstring in the second game.

So maybe an 8-5 record, including a 4-4 SEC effort, was OK considering A&M played a trio of top-ranked teams. But break-

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

even in the SEC this year won’t be OK. Mond is the league’s most experienced quarterback. The offensive line will start four seniors and sophomore Kenyon Green, who has NFL potential. Sophomore tight end Jalen Wydermyer is a budding star. And the defense should be A&M’s best since Jimbo Fisher took over as head coach in 2018.

On paper, the Aggies are good enough to become one of the league’s elite teams. They could take a step similar to what Georgia took in 2017, going from 8-5 to 13-2 and winning the Rose Bowl, or what Florida did in 2018, going from 4-7 to 10-3 and winning the Peach Bowl.

The improvement has to start with Mond and the line, because offense wins big games these days, even in the SEC. Offense also is Fisher’s expertise — calling plays and molding quarterbacks is what he does best. Fisher didn’t recruit Mond, but he’s groomed him, teaching him how to handle every possible situation. Mond has been a sponge, becoming the team’s best player and the face of A&M football.

No one respects how far Mond has come more than his teammates. Now it’s up to them to step up and help him have a senior season that will reflect all those records.

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BUILDING ON EXPERIENCE Mond aims to take a big step forward in his fourth year at QB

By TRAVIS L. BROWN travis.brown@theeagle.com

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Kellen Mond has thrown for 7,379 yards in his career at Texas A&M, 631 behind Jerrod Johnson’s school record.

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It’s been 10 years since a fourthyear starting quarterback has taken the field for Texas A&M. Jerrod Johnson was in that position in 2010, his fourth year in Aggieland, third as a starter. While he played in seven games that season, his fewest since his freshman year, he managed to claim A&M’s career records in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completions.

For the first time since joining the SEC, A&M will have a returning senior starter under center in Kellen Mond. As would be expected for someone with Mond’s tenure, he has a chance to leave Aggieland with most of Johnson’s quarterbacking records.

“He’s having an outstanding camp right now, and having a fouryear starter, who knows how you think and what you want — now he’s finishing a lot of my sentences and the things we want,” head coach Jimbo Fisher said.

The 2020 season marks Mond’s third under Fisher and third as A&M’s outright starter. Mond saw action in 11 games his freshman year, battling with Nick Starkel, who suffered an ankle injury during the first game. Under Fisher’s tutelage the past two seasons, Mond has thrown for 6,004 yards and 44 touchdowns, while completing 496 of 834 passes.

Continuity should play a role in taking his individual play up a notch for his senior season, Mond said.

“Last year, you can look at maybe one play from each game and some plays more in certain games, where certain throws are not very accurate, because I didn’t really trust the receiver,” Mond said. “I didn’t trust myself on making the throw.”

Should he see action in all 10 regular season games in this

shortened season, Mond will have played 47 games. Corey Pullig played in 44 from 1992 to 1995, according to Texas A&M Athletics.

With 7,379 career passing yards, Mond sits 632 behind Johnson’s school career record. He would also pass Johnny Manziel’s 7,820 mark en route to that record.

With 16 touchdowns, Mond would claim the school passing touchdown record, held by Johnson, and he needs 48 completions to break Johnson’s record career mark.

All are milestones his teammates want to see him achieve.

“I feel like that’s very important,” A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green said. “As an offensive line, we need to protect him so he can throw the ball and get those yards. For him to even be in that run, it’s motivating us to push more so we can be a part of that legacy with him.”

Mond has also been in the spotlight for another reason this summer, becoming involved in the discussion about changing the university’s legacy when it comes to diversity and inclusion. After months as an outspoken activist against racial injustices occurring around the country, Mond participated in a march against the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue on campus.

Ross was a Confederate general and a Texas governor who is credited for saving a financially unstable A&M in the late 1800s. To those protesting for the removal of the statue, Ross represents slavery and the killing of Native Americans while he served as a Texas Ranger.

“I’m a Black man,” Mond said during the protest earlier this summer. “I’m a human before I’m a football player. I want to express myself and help this university be Continued on Page 8

2017

2018

2019

Eagle photos by Laura McKenzie

• Played in 11 games, starting eight.

• Threw for 1,375 yards on 117-227 passing with eight touchdowns and six interceptions.

• Rushed for 340 yards on 89 attempts, scoring three touchdowns.

• A&M’s record: 7-6 (4-4 in conference). Lost to Wake Forest 55-52 in Belk Bowl.

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• Started 13 games.

• Threw for 3,107 yards on 238-415 passing with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

• Rushed for 544 yards on 149 attempts, scoring seven touchdowns.

• A&M’s record: 9-4 (5-3 in conference). Beat N.C. State 52-13 in the Gator Bowl.

• Started 13 games.

• Threw for 2,897 yards on 258-419 passing with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

• Rushed for 500 yards on 126 attempts, scoring eight touchdowns.

• A&M’s record: 8-5 (4-4 in conference). Beat No. 25 Oklahoma State 24-21 in the Texas Bowl.

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Continued from Page 6 the best university and the most inclusive university.�

As a result of his activism, Mond was named to A&M President Michael K. Young’s committee on diversity, equity and inclusion, which will spend the fall examining the university’s commitment to those efforts. “It was truly a blessing to be appointed to that,� Mond said. “Even with my conversations with President Young before that, I think we had great conversations. With him, I think he understands that certain changes need to be made within the university. He knows that he wants what’s best for the whole student body and not just myself.�

Mond’s longevity has played a role in his on-field leadership. In 20 years as a Power Five offensive coordinator or head coach, Jimbo Fisher had four starting quarterbacks that stayed with the program for four years: Marcus Randall, Christian Ponder, E.J. Manuel and Drew Weatherford. All but Weatherford played in the NFL. Should Mond reach 7,742 yards, he would pass Manuel for the most passing yards out of the five. “He’s really taking some great steps,�

Fisher said. “Hopefully, it will show on the field — his leadership, his execution, his

comfort level with what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. And the guys around him are exciting, which is really helping too. “Having Kellen there has been huge and I think he’s doing a tremendous, tremendous job right now,� he continued.

With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling spring practice and minimizing workouts throughout the summer, on-field work has been hard to come by. Mond said the factor that will separate his game this season from the previous three lies above his shoulders. “Where I’m at mentally, I don’t think I’ve been at this mind stage in a really long time,� Mond said. “I think this team is kind of feeding off my mentality right now and I think we’re in a really good state.�

To wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon, Mond’s roommate who opted out of the 2020 season on Sept. 13, Mond has come into his own in preparation for his senior campaign. “This offseason for Kellen has been a big step in his growth,� Ausbon said. “Kellen is 20, just turned 21. He’s growing up and you’re seeing him really become a man. He had to come in here freshman year and play his first year. What people saw this offseason and what I saw this offseason was him just finding out more and more who he was and what he wanted to stand for. And it’s having a direct translation onto the field.�

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said in the summer that Kellen Mond is “really taking great steps.�

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KEY RETURNING PLAYERS ON OFFENSE Isaiah Spiller

Sophomore running back

Spiller had to learn on the fly as a freshman, taking over as the Aggies’ starting running back in Week 3 after Jashaun Corbin suffered a season-ending injury. Spiller’s game improved week after week, and he rushed for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns by season’s end. Now Spiller is the veteran at the position after a slew of transfers, including Corbin, depleted A&M’s depth.

Ainias Smith

Sophomore running back

Smith served as a dynamic playmaker on offense for the Aggies last season, earning three starts at receiver in addition to returning kicks. Smith moved to running back before A&M’s bowl game to provide depth and has stayed there since. He gives A&M a solid tandem alongside Spiller, and his receiving skills can still be used out of the backfield.

Jalen Wydermyer Sophomore tight end

One of the biggest surprises for the Aggies in 2019 was the emergence of Wydermyer, who led the team in touchdown receptions (6) as a freshman. A&M had a void at tight

end to begin the season due to Jace Sternberger’s departure and Baylor Cupp’s injury, and Wydermyer stepped up in a big way. Now the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Wydermyer enters his second season as a proven passing threat.

Kenyon Green

Sophomore right guard

As a true freshman, Green started in all 13 games at right guard, was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team and named A&M’s top offensive newcomer. Green is one of four returning starters along A&M’s offensive line.

There is a chance the former five-star prospect could challenge seniors Carson Green and Dan Moore Jr. for a coveted tackle spot.

Dan Moore Jr. Senior left tackle

Moore enters his third season as the Aggies’ starting left tackle, and the veteran hopes to help create better protection for quarterback Kellen Mond after A&M allowed 33 sacks last year. A&M’s trajectory on offense will likely be dependent on the offensive line taking a step forward this season, and Moore is a pivotal piece to that puzzle.

— Alex Miller

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Jalen Wydermyer was named to the SEC all-freshman team after 32 catches and six touchdowns in 2019.

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ARKANSAS (2019 RECORD: 2-10) Sam Pittman (first season as a head coach) • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)

LONGTIME ASSISTANT PITTMAN GETS HIS SHOT AT THE TOP SPOT

KEY PLAYERS RB Rakeem Boyd, right (1,133 yards, 6.2 avg., 8 TDs), LB Bumper Pool (94 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5 PD), WR Treylon Burks (29 receptions, 475 yards), QB Feleipe Franks (at Florida: 54-for-71, 698 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs), S Joseph Foucha (87 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PD), WR Mike Woods (33 receptions, 423 yards, 4 TDs), WR Trey Knox (28 receptions, 385 yards, 3 TDs), DB Jarques McClellion (34 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PD)

Razorbacks have challenges ahead to break conference losing streak

QUOTABLE I can feel the passion for the program and the passion of the Arkansas fans wanting this team to be respectable and to be talked about in a respectable way. Is there pressure with that?

Probably, but I don’t know how you put pressure on a guy that puts pressure on himself. I love this place, and I want it to be what it should be. It’s gonna take a lot of work. Our players are playing hard, and as long as they do that we’re going to improve.

Sam Pittman, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Sam Pittman and his wife cried when he was offered the Arkansas job. The 58-year-old longtime offensive line assistant was elated to finally be a head coach.

He takes over a team whose fan base has been doing a lot of crying recently. Arkansas has lost 24 of its last 25 Southeastern Conference games, including the last 19. Pittman, who was an assistant at Arkansas from 2013-15, is confident he can change that.

“I’m humbled to be your coach,” Pittman said at his introductory press conference. “We’ll do our best for you.

We’re going to work our butt off for this university. We’re going to get it done.”

He’s got plenty to do. Arkansas went 2-10 last year, allowing 36.8 points per game to rank 124th in the country, last among Power Five conference teams.

Arkansas returns six defensive starters led by junior linebacker Bumper Pool, who had 94 tackles last season. The Razorbacks had a tough time pressuring offenses, averaging 1.75 sacks per game to rank 94th in the country. They also managed just six interceptions to rank 113th.

Pittman hired former Missouri head coach Barry Odom as his defensive coordinator. Odom got fired after going 25-25 in four seasons with the Tigers, but he had good defenses.

Missouri allowed only 312 yards and 19.4 points per game last year to rank

14th and 16th in the country, respectively.

“I felt like I needed a guy on my staff who had been a head coach, one that I could lean on and talk to,” Pittman said of Odom on the Paul Finebaum Show.

Pittman’s offensive coordinator is Kendal Briles, son of former Baylor head coach Art Briles. The younger Briles has been OC at Florida State, Houston, Florida Atlantic and Baylor.

Arkansas does have some offensive playmakers. RunRunning back Rakeem Boyd rushed for 1,133 yards last season. He’ll be running behind the SEC’s secondmost experienced offensive line, which according to Pro Football Focus returns playplay ers who took 79% of last season’s snaps, trailing only Texas A&M’s returners (82%).

Tackles Myron Cunningham and Dalton Wagner, center Ty Clary and guard Ricky Stomberg combined for 45 starts last year.

The Razorbacks also return leading receiver Mike Woods (33 receptions, 423 yards).

MIKE WOODS AP photos

SCHEDULE 9/26 vs. Georgia Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

OL Shawn Andrews was a two-time consensus All-American and a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy in 2003.

10/3 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

10/10 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/31 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/14 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/28 vs. Missouri Faurot Field

10/17 vs. Ole Miss

11/7 vs. Tennessee

11/21 vs. LSU

12/5 vs. Alabama

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

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ALABAMA (2019 RECORD: 11-2) Nick Saban (248-65-1; 157-23 in 13 seasons at Alabama) • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

CRIMSON TIDE SHOOTS FOR RETURN TO PLAYOFF AFTER TWO-LOSS 2019

KEY PLAYERS RB Najee Harris, right (1,224 yards, 5.9 avg., 13 TDs), WR DeVonta Smith (68 receptions, 1,256 yards, 14 TDs), WR Jaylen Waddle (33 receptions, 560 yards, 6 TDs), LB Shane Lee (86 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks), LB Dylan Moses (2018: 86 tackles, 10 TFL, 3.5 sacks), LB Christian Harris (61 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1 FR), OL Alex Leatherwood (35 games played), CB Patrick Surtain II (42 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 PD)

Offense returns several standouts; Jones to take quarterback reins

QUOTABLE I do not think last year’s team reflected the culture of what we’re trying to develop here, what has made this program be as successful over time that it has been. There’s no question that we’re trying to emphasize that fact. We want to make sure we reestablish that culture, and it comes from the buy-in of every player to believe and trust in the things we’re asking them to do is going to help them have success, individually as well as collectively as a team.

Nick Saban, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Alabama had one of its most prolific offenses in school history last year, averaging 47.2 points and 510.8 yards per game, but the Crimson Tide missed the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014.

Alabama (11-2) fell in shootouts against LSU (46-41) and Auburn (48-45) to lose multiple games for the first time in five years. The Crimson Tide allowed 324.4 yards per game to rank 20th, good for most but not Alabama.

“We didn’t execute very well last year,” Alabama coach Nick Saban told 247Sports’ Josh Pate. “There’s a price to pay for winning. There’s a price to pay for being a leader. You have to push people to get them to do things they may not want to do, make them uncomfortable.”

It’s an approach that’s helped the no-nonsense Saban win six national championships.

“Some people use that against us in recruiting sometimes,” Saban said. “I’ve heard, ‘You don’t have any fun at Alabama.’ Well, we have fun here. I mean the structure that we have is so that the players don’t have too much fun. But at the same time, we create a culture of accountability where the players have the best chance to develop the kind of habits that are going to help them be successful in life and in their future.”

Alabama is in position to have a

lot of fun this year, despite losing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills and wide receivers Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy, all of whom were taken in the top 15 of the NFL draft.

The Crimson Tide still had six players make the Walter Camp Preseason All-American Team with wide receiver DeVonta Smith (68 receptions, 1,256 yards, 14 TDs) on the first team and runrun ning back Najee Harris (1,224 yards, 13 TDs; 27 receptions, 304 yards, 7 TDs), offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, defensive tackle Patrick Surtain II, linebacker Dylan Moses and wide receiver/returner Jaylen Waddle on the second team.

Alabama’s offense should roll along behind quarterback Mac Jones (1,503 yards passing, 14 TDs, 3 INTs). Besides throwing a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns against Auburn, Jones played well after Tagovailoa was hurt.

JAYLEN WADDLE

AP photos

SCHEDULE Photo courtesy of Alabama

OG John Hannah was an All-American in 1971 and 1972 while playing under Bear Bryant in Tuscaloosa. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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9/26 at Missouri Faurot Field

10/10 at Ole Miss

10/3 vs. Texas A&M Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/17 vs. Georgia Bryant-Denny Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/24 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

11/14 at LSU Tiger Stadium

11/28 vs. Auburn Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/31 vs. Mississippi State

11/21 vs. Kentucky Bryant-Denny Stadium

12/5 at Arkansas

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

AUBURN (2019 RECORD: 9-4) Gus Malzahn (71-34; 62-31 in seven seasons at Auburn) • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

KEY PLAYERS DL Big Kat Bryant, right (16 tackles, 1.5 sacks), QB Bo Nix (217-of-377, 2,542 yards, 16 TDs), WR Seth Williams (59 receptions, 830 yards, 8 TDs), WR Anthony Schwartz (41 receptions, 440 yards), LB KJ Britt (69 tackles, 10 TFL, 2.5 sacks), RB DJ Williams (400 yards, 4.8 avg., 2 TDs), DL Tyrone Truesdell (31 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks), DB Smoke Monday (20 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack)

QUOTABLE I appreciate being able to coach the players we have and being around the players. That’s what’s fun for coaches, is to coach the players on the field. Put a plan together, have a dream together and try to achieve that dream and that plan. So that’s what we love to do. …

You go through adversity, which we all have done, and you get to this point and you have a way of looking back and appreciating things even more than you used to.

Gus Malzahn, head coach

HALL OF FAME

QB NIX’S GROWTH KEY FOR TIGERS UNDER NEW COORDINATOR MORRIS Returning linebackers, Bryant should star for Auburn defense Bo Nix’s outstanding freshman season ended with a 31-24 loss to Minnesota in the Outback Bowl, but Auburn coach Gus Malzahn believes the best is yet to come for his young quarterback.

“He’s going to win a championship for us before he gets out of here,” Malzahn said after the game. “He went up against the toughest schedule in football as a true freshman.

He learned. He’s going to be a great quarterback for us. More than that, I think he’s going to be a great leader for us. Those are my expectations.”

Nix threw for 2,542 yards and 16 touchdowns. He beat a trio of ranked teams including fifth-ranked Alabama 48-45. He also beat 11th-ranked Oregon in the opener, throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams with 9 seconds left for a 27-21 victory. And in his first Southeastern Conference road game, Nix had an error-free effort in a 28-20 victory at 17th-ranked Texas A&M. But Nix had his struggles. He completed only 11 of 27 passes with three interceptions in a 24-13 loss at Florida. Auburn played eventual national champ LSU the best, but Nix was only 15 of 35 for 157 yards with an interception in the 30-23 loss.

Overall, Nix completed only 57.6% of his passes to rank 11th among the 14 SEC quarterbacks with at least 150 attempts. He had a passing efficiency of 125.0 to rank 84th nationally.

Malzahn hired Chad Morris as offensive coordinator to help Nix. Fired after two seasons as Arkansas’ head coach, Morris was offensive coordinator at Clemson when the program took off, and he worked for three seasons with All-America quarterback Tajh Boyd as the Tigers went 32-8 over that period.

“I just hired in my opinion the best offensive coordinator in college football,” MalMal zahn said. “I love calling plays. I’ve said that numerous times, but when you’ve got a chance to hire Chad Morris ... he’s not just good. He’s special good in my opinion.”

Morris will be the fourth offensive coordinator for Malzahn, who is in his ninth season at Auburn.

Auburn lost defensive linemen Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson to the NFL and all of its starters in the secondary, but it returns all three starting linebackers led by All-SEC performer K.J. Britt. Expectations are also big for 6-foot-5, 247-pound defensive tackle Big Kat Bryant.

BO NIX

AP photos

SCHEDULE 9/26 vs. Kentucky Jordan-Hare Stadium

WR Terry Beasley, an All-American in 1970 and 1971, collected 2,507 yards and 29 touchdowns on 141 receptions, holding the school 10/3 at Georgia career records for yards and touchdowns.

Sanford Stadium

10/10 vs. Arkansas Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/24 at Ole Miss

11/14 at Mississippi State

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Davis Wade Stadium

11/28 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/17 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

10/31 vs. LSU Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/21 vs. Tennessee Jordan-Hare Stadium

12/5 vs. Texas A&M Jordan-Hare Stadium

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LSU (2019 RECORD: 15-0)

SEASON OUTLOOK Ed Orgeron (56-36; 40-9 in four seasons at LSU) • Tiger Stadium (102,321)

TIGERS HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL FOLLOWING PERFECT 15-0 SEASON

KEY PLAYERS DB Derek Stingley, right (38 tackles, 6 INTs, 15 PD), DB JaCoby Stevens (92 tackles, 3 INTs, 5 sacks), WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (46 receptions, 671 yards, 13 TDs), QB Myles Brennan (24-of-40, 353 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), RB Tyrion Davis-Price (295 yards, 4.6 avg., 6 TDs), OL Austin Deculus (24 career starts), LB Jabril Cox (at North Dakota State: 92 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks)

New faces, roles in Baton Rouge: quarterback, both coordinators

QUOTABLE I think everybody watches a leader.

You have a tendency to slow down a little bit. We can’t do that. There is no way. We’ve got to speed up. There is a new team, new leadership. We got a lot of new coaches. We have to set the standard of performance here. That’s on me. I’m the energy guy. I set the standard and I can’t let it slip. I’m staying in the office longer, working longer, just improving my leadership.

Ed Orgeron, head coach

HALL OF FAME

LSU is looking ahead, but that’s hard coming off an unbeaten national championship season.

“I do believe it would be a fault to keep talking about last year,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “We’ve got to turn the page. This is a new team.”

What Orgeron wants this year’s team to look back on is all the sacrifices last year’s players made to be at voluntary 9 a.m. Saturday spring and summer practices. They were led by Joe Burrow, who wasn’t one of the Southeastern Conference coaches’ top preseason quarterbacks but won the Heisman Trophy.

“We can fall back on some of those things, but I can’t expect this team to be last year’s team,” Orgeron said. “It’s a new team, but we still have high expectations.”

The high bar was set by 14 players who were drafted into the NFL this spring, including 10 in the first three rounds — both SEC records.

LSU averaged 568.4 yards and 48.4 points per game last season to lead the country in both categories.

But the Tigers also lost passing game coordinator Joe Brady, the former New Orleans Saints assistant, who returned to the NFL as Carolina’s offensive coordinator after one season at LSU. The spotlight now is on junior quarterback Myles Brennan, who played in garbage time last season.

“I expect Myles to explode,” Orgeron said. “I expect him to do all

the things that he needs to do to be a great quarterback. I think we are going to have one heck of a player.

I’ve always believed in Myles. I believe he is a championship quarterback.”

The offense took a hit when Biletnikoff winner Ja’Marr Chase (84 receprecep tions, 1,780 yards, 20 TDs) opted out of the season in August, though Terrace Mar Marshall (46671-13) returns.

The defense had six players drafted and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda was hired as Baylor’s head coach. LSU brought back Bo Pelini, who was Les Miles’ DC in 2007 when the Tigers won the national championchampion ship. Pelini does have a pair of playmakers in the secondary in cornerback Derek Stingley (6 interceptions) and JaCoby Stevens (92 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 intercepintercep tions).

JACOBY STEVENS AP photos

SCHEDULE Photo courtesy of LSU

DB Tommy Casanova was a three-time All-American from 1969 to 1971. In three seasons, he intercepted seven passes, rushed for 203 yards and five touchdowns, while also returning punts and kickoffs for a combined 851 yards.

14

9/26 vs. Mississippi State Tiger Stadium

10/10 vs. Missouri Tiger Stadium

10/24 vs. South Carolina Tiger Stadium

11/14 vs. Alabama Tiger Stadium

11/28 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/3 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

10/17 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/31 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/21 at Arkansas

12/5 vs. Ole Miss Tiger Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

OLE MISS (2019 RECORD: 4-8) Lane Kiffin (61-34; first season at Ole Miss) • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)

‘LIGHTNING ROD’ KIFFIN BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO REBELS’ REBUILD

KEY PLAYERS RB Jerrion Ealy, right (722 yards, 6.9 avg., 6 TDs), QB John Rhys Plumlee (79-of150, 910 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs), QB Matt Corral (105of-178, 1,362 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs), LB MoMo Sanogo (in 2018: 112 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack), LB Sam Williams (38 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 6 sacks), LB Lakia Henry (88 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack), LB Jacquez Jones (71 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 sacks), WR Elijah Moore (67 receptions, 850 yards, 6 TDs)

Skill position players should help team in need of veteran leadership

QUOTABLE I’ve said it before: There’s football, and there’s the SEC. No matter where you go, no matter where you coach, there is nothing like it. Being away from it for three years, sometimes when you leave something you realize what it really is. We had a great three years down at Florida Atlantic winning two conference championships, two 10and 11-win seasons, but there was something missing.

Lane Kiffin, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Flamboyant Lane Kiffin was the homerun hire Ole Miss sought, and the maturity he’s gained in 11 years since he last was a head coach in the Southeastern Conference is a much-needed added bonus for the youthful Rebels.

“I used to coach thinking that my job was to win games and get players to the NFL, and that was it,” Kiffin said at his introductory press conference. “And now I understand it’s developing the players off the field, developing relationships with them and chemistry with them so that we’re helping them way beyond just football.”

Kiffin takes over a 4-8 team that needs veteran leadership. The Rebels played 37 freshmen last season, the second most in the country behind Clemson (48). They showed promise but made mistakes, including a huge gaffe to end the season.

Sophomore wide receiver Elijah Moore caught a 2-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left to pull the Rebels within 21-20 of rival Mississippi State.

Moore opted to celebrate by mimicking a dog urinating on a fire hydrant. Ole Miss was penalized 15 yards and the Rebels missed the extra point to lose.

“That’s not who we are,” said head coach Matt Luke, who was fired three days later.

Moore, who had 67 receptions for 850 yards with six touchdowns, remains and will be a big part of the offense. Running back Jerrion Ealy (20 receptions, 172 yards) was the secondleading receiver. He also was a big part of the SEC’s second-best rushing attack

with 722 yards, averaging 6.9 yards a carry. Ealy complemented freshfresh man quarterback John Rhys PlumPlum lee (154 carries, 1,023 yards, 12 TDs), and Matt Corral threw for 1,362 yards while sharing time with Plumlee.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby takes over the Rebel offense after serving in the same position at Central Florida last season. The Knights averaged 540.5 yards per game to rank second in the nation and 43.4 points per game to rank fifth.

Lebby might call the plays, but it’ll be the Kiffin show.

“Coach Kiffin is a lightning rod,” Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter said. “As you have seen, his prespres ence alone can generate confidence, energy and swagger that can inspire student-athletes to reach their full potential while galvanizing Rebel nana tion.”

JOHN RHYS PLUMLEE AP photos

SCHEDULE

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss

In 1936, OT Bruiser Kinard was the first player from any school in Mississippi to earn a first-team All-America nod.

9/26 vs. Florida

10/10 vs. Alabama

10/24 vs. Auburn

11/14 vs. South Carolina

11/28 vs. Mississippi State

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/3 at Kentucky Kroger Field

10/17 at Arkansas

10/31 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

11/21 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

12/5 at LSU Tiger Stadium

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

15

MISSISSIPPI STATE (2019 RECORD: 6-7) Mike Leach (139-90; first season at Mississippi State) • Davis Wade Stadium (61,337)

OUTLOOK ON OFFENSE RISES AS LEACH ERA BEGINS IN STARKVILLE

KEY PLAYERS LB Erroll Thompson, right (84 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 PD), RB Kylin Hill (1,350 yards, 5.6 avg., 10 TDs), DL Nathan Pickering (11 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks), QB K.J. Costello (at Stanford: 102-of-167, 1,038 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs), QB Garrett Shrader (88-of153, 1,170 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs), WR Osirus Mitchell (29 receptions, 430 yards, 6 TDs), DB Marcus Murphy Jr. (26 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PD)

Former Stanford QB Costello, RB Hill among playmakers

QUOTABLE I don’t know how to describe it … there’s a unique independence that exists with Mississippi State that doesn’t exist other places. They are very direct, very down to earth and independent in the way they do their stuff. Everybody’s not running around in linen suits even when it’s their casual time. There’s a gritty toughness here, too, that I think exists and allows achievement and people to get things done.

Mike Leach, head coach

HALL OF FAME

It’s taken more than two decades, but Mike Leach’s vaunted passing game is getting a second chance in the Southeastern Conference.

Now the head coach at Mississippi State, Leach has arguably perfected his “Air Raid” offense. His teams have led the country in passing 10 times — six at Texas Tech and four at Washington State. The knock has been he accomplished that in offensive-minded conferences, the Big 12 and Pac-12, and experts wonder if it will work in the SEC, which had 30 defensive players taken in this year’s NFL draft.

Leach was Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 1997 and ’98 under Hal Mumme, one of the first to employ the Air Raid offense. With Tim Couch at quarterback and Mumme and Leach running the offense, the Wildcats averaged the second-most passing yards in the nation in 1997-98, but Kentucky finished only fourth and fifth in the SEC East.

“I think conferences and teams will go kind of in cycles,” Leach said. “We threw it a lot there, and I thought it elevated things there at the University of Kentucky for the two years I had the opportunity to be there. You had Florida throwing quite a bit then, too.”

Leach, who was Mumme’s offensive coordinator for 10 seasons at three schools, has fine-tuned his version of the Air Raid offense in 18 seasons as a head coach.

“The biggest thing as an offensive coach is, as we used to refer to it, build a better mousetrap,” Leach said. “How can we build the mousetrap better? We used to say stuff like, ‘Well, if we run a post on that play, that’ll help the mousetrap.’ We spend most of our time talking about how we’re going to practice and how we are

going to duplicate those things. We also talk quite a bit about how we’re going to find ways to attack space.”

Leach believes he can build his best mousetrap yet, because of the quality of high school recruits available within 300 miles of Starkville, Mississippi.

Leach inherited several playmakers off a 6-7 team that averaged 400.1 yards per game to rank 70th in the country. RunRun ning back Kylin Hill rushed for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Leach has a hishis tory of having quarquar terbacks post phephe nomenal statistics in just one year in the system, and he landed Stanford graduate transfer K.J. Costello in hopes of doing it again.

Costello threw for 6,151 yards in 29 games for the Cardinal, completing 62.6% of his passes with 49 touchtouch downs and 18 interinter ceptions.

KYLIN HILL

AP photos

SCHEDULE Photo courtesy of Mississippi State

QB Jackie Parker was a two-time All-SEC player in 1952 and 1953.

He holds the school records for single season rushing touchdowns (16) and sits sixth all-time for career rushing touchdowns (24).

16

9/26 at LSU Tiger Stadium 10/3 vs. Arkansas Davis Wade Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

10/10 at Kentucky Kroger Field

10/31 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/14 vs. Auburn Davis Wade Stadium

11/28 at Ole Miss

10/17 vs. Texas A&M Davis Wade Stadium

11/7 vs. Vanderbilt Davis Wade Stadium

11/21 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

12/5 vs. Missouri Davis Wade Stadium

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

TEXAS A&M (2019 RECORD: 8-5) Jimbo Fisher (100-32; 17-9 in two seasons at Texas A&M) • Kyle Field (102,733)

EXPERIENCE AND YOUTH HAVE A&M AIMING TO MOVE UP IN SEC WEST

KEY PLAYERS TE Jalen Wydermyer, right (32 receptions, 447 yards, 6 TDs), QB Kellen Mond (258-of419, 2,897 yards, 20 TDs, 9 INTs), RB Isaiah Spiller (946 yards, 5.4 avg., 10 TDs), RB Ainias Smith (22 receptions, 248 yards, 3 TDs), LB Buddy Johnson (77 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 1 sack), LB Anthony Hines III (73 tackles, 10.5 TFL), DE DeMarvin Leal (38 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks), DT Bobby Brown (21 tackles, 2 TFL)

A slightly lighter schedule awaits after Aggies’ grueling 2019 gauntlet

QUOTABLE Two things affect the game right now more than anything. First is turnovers, creating them and not giving them up. And two is big plays. ... The ability to hit that deep ball, go and catch a short pass and break a big run. Or create the interception on defense. Stopping big plays and creating big plays. And you’ve got to have athletic speed guys to be able to do that. So hopefully [our team speed] will help greatly.

Jimbo Fisher, head coach

HALL OF FAME

it together, but this is a special team.”

A&M has a veteran offensive line with four returning starters and tight end Jalen WyderWyder myer, who had 32 receptions for 447 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman.

Isaiah Spiller, another true freshman, rushed for 946 yards last season. He’s joined in the backfield by concon verted receiver Ainias Smith, who should provide some excitement. The Aggies will be dependent on a young receivreceiv ing corps after senior Jhamon Ausbon opted out of the season on Sept. 13.

A&M returns eight starters on defense and has quality depth on that side of the ball. Senior safety Keldrick Carper started only four games last season but ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 51. Returning linebacklineback ers Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines III, who both started every game, led the team in tackles with 77 and 73, respectively.

Texas A&M has a blend of veterans and talented youngsters that’s created optimism around the program.

The Aggies have six returning starters with at least 21 career starts each and nine more with at least 10 starts. A&M also played 30 freshmen last season, including 19 true freshmen, seven of them who earned starts.

“It’s great to have young players with talent if they learn and get better and have an urgency to be great,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said.

They saw what it takes to be a champion last year as the Aggies played five Top 10 teams, including Clemson, Alabama and LSU, which were each ranked first at the time. A&M didn’t earn an upset, but it was competitive against the Top 10 save for a 50-7 loss to LSU, which steamrolled its way to a national title.

A&M bounced back from the loss at LSU to beat Oklahoma State 24-21 in the Texas Bowl to cap an 8-5 season.

“You have to knock your way in,” said Fisher, who won a national championship at Florida State and had three other Top 10 teams. “They don’t let you eat at the table unless you take a chair.

You’ve got to be so hungry you’re willing to work, run over them and kick anybody out of there you’ve got to. It comes down to grit.”

A&M’s leadership starts with senior quarterback Kellen Mond, who leads the team in career starts with 34.

“We’re all excited around here, plenty of experience, plenty of talent,” Mond said. “We’ve got to figure how to mold

ISAIAH SPILLER AP photos

SCHEDULE Eagle file photo

LB Dat Nguyen was a consensus All-American and the Bednarik Award winner in 1998. He holds the Texas A&M record for career tackles with 517.

9/26 vs. Vanderbilt Kyle Field

10/10 vs. Florida Kyle Field

10/31 vs. Arkansas Kyle Field

11/14 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

11/28 vs. LSU Kyle Field

10/3 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/17 at Mississippi State

11/7 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

11/21 vs. Ole Miss Kyle Field

12/5 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

Davis Wade Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

17

FLORIDA (2019 RECORD: 11-2)

Dan Mullen (90-51; 21-5 in two seasons at Florida) • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)

GATORS THINKING PLAYOFF BERTH AFTER IMPRESSIVE 2019 SEASON

KEY PLAYERS QB Kyle Trask, right (237-of354, 2,941 yards, 25 TDs, 7 INTs), TE Kyle Pitts (54 receptions, 649 yards, 5 TDs), DB Kaiir Elam (11 tackles, 3 INTs, 4 PD), DL Zachary Carter (31 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.5 sacks), DB Marco Wilson (36 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 PD), WR Trevon Grimes (33 receptions, 491 yards, 3 TDs), OL Stewart Reese (at Mississippi State: 37 games played), RB Dameon Pierce (305 yards, 5.6 avg., 4 TDs)

QB Trask can lean on TE Pitts in balanced offense attack

QUOTABLE I think we have the potential to go compete for a championship and be a championship team. Obviously, there are a lot of things that go into that, but I think we have that potential, which is really good and it’s really exciting. Like I said, being on those [past championship] teams, a lot of things have to happen for it to play out that way, for it to end up being a championship team.

Dan Mullen, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Dan Mullen has the Florida Gators thinking big after leading them to 10 or more victories in back-to-back seasons.

“Ever since Coach Mullen’s gotten here, we’ve been to two New Year’s Six bowls,” senior quarterback Kyle Trask said. “So we definitely feel pretty strongly that we have a good shot at [the College Football Playoff] this year.”

Trask is a big reason for Florida’s high expectations. He blossomed last season after starting quarterback Feleipe Franks suffered a season-ending injury.

Trask completed 237 of 354 passes for 2,941 yards and 25 touchdowns with seven interceptions. His 156.09 passer rating was ninth best in school history.

Trask, who played at Manvel High School, was buried on the depth chart until Franks fractured his ankle in the third game of the season. Trask redshirted in 2016, then dealt with injuries that limited him to 22 attempts over the next two seasons.

“That is pretty crazy just from where I started the season to where it ended,” Trask said. “It’s a pretty crazy ride for me. And I’m just hoping we can improve on that.”

Trask did a great job distributing the football with eight players having at least 20 receptions, led

by Kyle Pitts, one of the nation’s best tight ends coming off a 54-catch season. Trevon Grimes

(33 receptions, 491 yards) and Jacob Copeland (21-273) are the top returning receivers.

Florida is revamping its running game with Dameon Pierce (305 yards, 5.6 average) and Miami transfer Lorenzo Lingard after Lamical Perine was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Jets. Perine rushed for a team-high 675 yards and caught 40 passes.

The Gators averaged only 129.8 yards rushing per game to rank next to last in the SEC and 107th in the country, but they should be better with four starting linemen returning. Brett Heggie is the group’s leader and will move from guard to center.

Florida’s defense was statistically betbet ter than its offense, allowing 304.8 yards per game to rank ninth in the country. The Gators had 49 sacks to lead the SEC and their 16 intercepintercep tions were one behind Alabama and LSU. KYLE PITTS

AP photos

SCHEDULE 9/26 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

QB Tim Tebow was the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and finished his career ranked fourth in Florida history in passing yards with 9,287.

18

10/3 vs. South Carolina Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

10/10 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/24 vs. Missouri Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/14 vs. Arkansas Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/28 vs. Kentucky Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/17 vs. LSU Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/7 vs. Georgia

11/21 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

12/5 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville

GEORGIA (2019 RECORD: 12-2) Kirby Smart (44-12; 44-12 in four years at Georgia) • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

BULLDOGS TACKLE OFFENSE WITH NEW COORDINATOR, QUARTERBACK

KEY PLAYERS RB Zamir White, right (408 yards, 5.2 avg., 3 TDs), DB Richard LeCounte (61 tackles, 4 INTs, 3 FR), WR George Pickens (49 receptions, 727 yards, 8 TDs), DE Malik Herring (26 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 PD), LB Monty Rice (89 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PD), QB J.T. Daniels (at USC in 2018: 2,672 yards, 14 TDs, 10 INT), LB Azeez Ojulari (36 tackles, 6 TFL, 5.5 sacks), CB Eric Stokes (38 tackles, 1 sack, 9 PD)

Key players return on defense, which may be Smart’s best

QUOTABLE Adaptability is going to be one of the most important factors of this team, and the teams that handle it best will probably be at an advantage. We always talk about our camp being about mental and physical toughness. One of the most important things about this team is going to be mentally being able to handle change, and fast change, because we’ve seen in the last five months things change, especially when you’re dealing with COVID. Kirby Smart, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has built a championship defense in four years at Georgia. Now he’s trying to do the same on offense, adding a new coordinator and quarterback.

Georgia’s offense was decent last season, averaging 435.3 yards per game to rank 32nd nationally. But the defense has led the program over the last three seasons, allowing only 295 yards and 16.1 points per game over that stretch while helping Georgia reach the College Football Playoff twice. Georgia’s defense last year allowed a paltry 12.6 points per game to lead the country and 275.7 yards per game to rank third. Yet the BullBull dogs didn’t make the CFP. The culprit was the ofof fense. Georgia scored more than 27 points only once in its last nine games. It was held under 340 yards six times, and the Bulldogs converted 41.2% of their third downs to rank 51st. Those aren’t the numbers you expect from a unit that had six players drafted into the NFL, including a pair of linemen in the first round.

So Smart brought in veteran offensive coor-dinator Todd Monken.

“He has a history of establishing explosive offenses at each and every stop in his impressive career in both the National

Football League and at major college football programs,” Smart said.

Monken, the former Southern Miss head coach, was an NFL offensive coordinator with Tampa Bay and Cleveland.

He called plays for Oklahoma State in 2011 and 2012 nationalwhen the Cowboys ranked third and fourth national ly in total offense, averaging more than 545 yards per game each season.

Monken will be working with quarterback J.T. Daniels, a graduate transfer from Southern Cal, or D’wan Mathis, a redshirt freshman, after expected starter Jamie Newman, a graduate transfer from Wake Forest, opted out of the season.

Georgia’s leading receiver returns in George Pickens (49 receptions, 727 yards, eight touchdowns). He had 12 catches for 175 yards in the 26-14 Sugar Bowl victory over Baylor.

What could be Smart’s best dede fense will give the new offense time to gel. The Bulldogs lost Tae Crowder, the team’s second-leading tackler, and All-SEC safety J.R. Reed.

But Georgia returns eight of its top 10 tacklers from last season including safety Richard LeCounte, who had 61 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

RICHARD LeCOUNTE AP photos

SCHEDULE

RB Charley Trippi was the 1946 Maxwell Award winner after 800 yards rushing and 120 yards receiving during his senior season.

9/26 at Arkansas

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

10/10 vs. Tennessee Sanford Stadium

10/24 at Kentucky Kroger Field

11/14 at Missouri Faurot Field

11/28 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

10/3 vs. Auburn Sanford Stadium

10/17 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/7 vs. Florida

11/21 vs. Mississippi State

TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville

Sanford Stadium

12/5 vs. Vanderbilt Sanford Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

19

KENTUCKY (2019 RECORD: 8-5) Mark Stoops (44-44; 44-44 in seven seasons at Kentucky) • Kroger Field (61,000)

DEFENSE, RUN GAME RELIABLE FOR SURGING WILDCAT PROGRAM

KEY PLAYERS QB Terry Wilson, right (33of-52, 360 yards, 2 TDs), LB Jamar Watson (36 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks), DB Yusuf Corker (74 tackles, 1 INT, 2 FR), OL Drake Jackson (33 starts at center), OL Landon Young (36 games played), OL Darian Kinnard (22 games played), RB Asim Rose (826 yards, 5.5 avg., 6 TDs), WR Josh Ali (23 receptions, 233 yards, 3 TDs), P Max Duffy (49 punts, 48.1 avg.)

Stoops can reach lofty territory with fifth straight winning season

QUOTABLE I’d like to believe [team maturity] helps. Our team, we’ve worked hard the last seven years at developing leadership in our program. This is another example of a program that I want to be player-led. This group of guys that are older have certainly set the tone and hopefully that will continue to trickle down to the rest of our team. It does help that we have a veteran group and they are anxious to play.

Mark Stoops, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops has a video promoting the program pinned on his Twitter page titled “When people ask, ‘Why Kentucky?’ we say, ‘Why not?’”

The question is more relevant with the Wildcats shooting for a fifth straight bowl game. Stoops had three straight losing seasons after becoming a head coach, including a 2-10 start. He’s turned it around to reach 44-44, and can become the first Wildcat coach to have five straight winning seasons since Paul “Bear” Bryant, who had eight in a row (1946-53) before leaving for Texas A&M. Kentucky returns 15 starters along with quality depth from a surprising 8-5 team. Last season was supposed to be a big dropoff after losing several key performers from a 10-win team.

But instead the Wildcats earned their second-most victories under Stoops.

Kentucky, which started 0-3, finished strong despite losing quarterback Terry Wilson to a knee injury. Junior wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. moved to quarterback and led the SEC in rushing, then opted to leave for the NFL. The Wildcats are hopeful Wilson is fully recovered to jump-start the SEC’s worst passing game over the last two seasons. Kentucky averaged only 113.7 yards passing per game last year to rank 127th out of 130 FBS teams.

Kentucky should have another strong running game. Running back Asim Rose had 826 yards rushing,

while Kavosiey Smoke added 616 and Christian Rodriguez had 533, with each averaging at least 5.5 yards per carry.

Kentucky also rere turns four starters on the offensive line, led by senior center Drake Jackson.

And defensive playmakers return on every level of the unit. The three-man line is anchored by 6-foot-4, 367-pound nose guard Quinton Bohanna.

Disruptive senior strongside linebacker Jamar “Boo“Boo gie” Watson had 11.5 tackles for loss and seven quarterback pressures last season. Brandin Echols (54 tackles, 9 pass breakups) and Cedrick Dort return at cornerback. Dort is rated the nation’s best cover cornerback, allowing only a 30% completion rate, according to Pro Football Focus.

The defense is complemented by punter Max Duffy, the Ray Guy Award winner, who had 22 punts of at least 50 yards and 24 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line last season.

ASIM ROSE AP photos

SCHEDULE Photo courtesy of Kentucky

LB Jim Kovach holds the record for career tackles with 521 and played his senior season in 1978 while working through his first year of medical school.

20

9/26 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/10 vs. Mississippi State

10/24 vs. Georgia Kroger Field

11/14 vs. Vanderbilt Kroger Field

11/28 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/3 vs. Ole Miss Kroger Field

10/17 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

10/31 at Missouri Faurot Field

11/21 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

12/5 vs. South Carolina Kroger Field

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

Kroger Field

MISSOURI (2019 RECORD: 6-6) Eliah Drinkwitz (12-1; first season at Missouri) • Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field (61,620)

DRINKWITZ TAKES THE TIGER REINS AND AIMS FOR OFFENSIVE BOOST

KEY PLAYERS RB Larry Rountree, right (829 yards, 4.5 avg., 9 TDs), LB Nick Bolton (107 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 INTs), DL Kobie Whiteside (27 tackles, 7 TFL, 7 sacks), WR Tyler Badie (32 receptions, 356 yards, 5 TDs), DB Tyree Gillespie (50 tackles, 4 TFL, 10 PD), DB Joshuah Bledsoe (49 tackles, 4 TFL, 10 PD), WR Jalen Knox (19 receptions, 307 yards, 1 TD), WR Damon Hazelton (at Virginia Tech: 31 receptions, 527 yards, 8 TDs)

Former Appalachian State coach is among youngest in Power Five

QUOTABLE What drives me is to try to accomplish something at a university or institution that has never been accomplished before. So we’ll find those targets and we’ll set those tasks and goals and we’ll go to work every single day to accomplish those. … We’ve got to make ourselves better every single day.

We’ve got to push to do that. It’s going to be a competitive spirit. And that drive is what is going to drive Mizzou football to the next level.

Eliah Drinkwitz, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Missouri showed defensive-minded head coach Barry Odom the door after a promising season faded with a five-game losing streak. The Tigers are gambling Eliah Drinkwitz will have the offense consistently lighting up the scoreboard.

The Tigers were ranked 22nd last year after a 5-1 start while averaging 38.8 points per game, but Missouri scored 14 or less points four times during the losing streak. Missouri ended the season by averaging 374.3 yards and 25.3 points, which both ranked 93rd.

Points were no problem for Drinkwitz at Appalachian State, which averaged 38.8 points per game to rank ninth in the country last season. That helped the 37-year-old become one of the nation’s youngest Power Five conference head coaches despite just one season as a head coach.

The disciple of Auburn’s Gus Malzahn did that at Appalachian State. His team beat North Carolina and South Carolina to become the first Sun Belt Conference squad to beat a pair of Power Five teams in the league’s 19-year existence.

Doing something novel at Missouri will be tougher. The Tigers won three Big 12 North titles and two Southeastern Conference West titles under Gary Pinkel, but they haven’t won an overall conference title since 1969.

Missouri lost quarterback Kelly Bryant, All-America tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, leading receiver Jonathan Nance and three starting offensive linemen, but still has playmakers in senior Larry Rountree and transfer wide receiver Damon Hazelton.

Rountree rushed for 829 yards and nine touchdowns on 186 carries last season, while Hazelton had 82 catchcatch es for 1,329 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons at Virginia Tech. Junior Tyler Badie, Rountree’s backup, added 457 yards on 108 carries and three touchdowns along with 32 receptions for 356 yards and five touchdowns.

TCU transfer quarterback Shawn Robinson fits Drinkwitz’s pro-tempo offense. Robinson, who threw for 1,334 yards and nine touchdowns in seven games in 2018, will have to beat out ConCon nor Bazleak, who made a start last year down the stretch.

Missouri had a competitive defense under Odom, who was a defensive coordinator under Pinkel, as the Tigers allowed 312 yards per game to rank third in the SEC and 19.4 points per game to rank fifth. But Missouri ranked last in sacks, 10th in interceptions and ninth against the run.

Missouri returns eight starters led by junior linebacker Nick Bolton, who had 107 tackles, 74 of them solos. Safeties Tyree Gillespie and Joshuah Bledsoe combined for 99 tackles last season.

JOSHUAH BLEDSOE AP photos

SCHEDULE

QB Brad Smith was the second FBS player in history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 during his sophomore season. Smith holds the Tiger record for career rushing yards with 4,193.

9/26 vs. Alabama Faurot Field

10/10 at LSU Tiger Stadium

10/24 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/14 vs. Georgia Faurot Field

11/28 vs. Arkansas Faurot Field

10/3 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

10/17 vs. Vanderbilt Faurot Field

10/31 vs. Kentucky Faurot Field

11/21 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

12/5 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

21

SOUTH CAROLINA (2019 RECORD: 4-8) Will Muschamp (54-46; 26-25 in four years at South Carolina) • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

MUSCHAMP LOOKS TO NEW VOICES ON STAFF AFTER LACKLUSTER 2019

KEY PLAYERS WR Shi Smith, right (43 receptions, 489 yards, 2 TDs), QB Ryan Hilinski (236of-406, 2,357 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs), DL Aaron Sterling (40 tackles, 10 TFL, 6 sacks), DB Israel Mukuamu (59 tackles, 4 INTs, 9 PD), DB Jaycee Horn (40 tackles, 2 TFL, 9 PD), LB Ernest Jones (97 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 INTs), OL Sadarius Hutcherson (35 games played), DL Jordan Burch (incoming freshman)

Bobo returns to conference to revamp struggling offense

QUOTABLE Our guys want to play. At the end of the day, our guys want to play. They want to be safe, and we want them to be safe and we’re gonna be safe.

And then we want to play, as long as it is safe. We’re making sure of that as we continue to work through this. …

As they continue to move forward and there’s an end in sight of games, of opponents, those things make our guys really excited.

Will Muschamp, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Will Muschamp has been good at cleaning up someone else’s mess. Now he’s got to fix what he broke.

South Carolina lost five of its last six games last season and was outscored 68-9 in back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Clem-son to end the year. The collapse was reminis-cent of 2015, when South Carolina started 2-4, prompting Steve Spur Spurrier to resign.

Muschamp tidied things up, making three straight bowl trips including a 26-19 victory over Michigan in the Outback Bowl for a 9-4 record in 2017. Muschamp started his run at South Carolina with a 2217 record, earning the most wins in program history by a coach in his first three seasons.

Last year, South Carolina beat Georgia in double overtime when the Bulldogs were ranked third. It meant little by season’s end as the Gamecocks finished at 4-8.

Some expected Muschamp to get fired.

He stayed, but he also hired four new assistants including offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, a longtime Georgia assistant who had been head coach at Colorado State for the last five seasons.

“When you have some influx of new staff, you do get some new ideas about different ways to do things,” Muschamp said. “And obviously Mike being a head coach, I’ve asked him a lot of quesques

tions about some different things that they’ve done. It all goes back to fitting what’s best for your players and what’s going to help us win games.”

Bobo looks to improve a woeful offense that averaged 22.4 points (104th in the country) and 371.9 yards (96th) per game. He did get a few spring practices to work with quarterquarter back Ryan Hilinski before the coronavirus shut down college sports. Hilinski threw for 2,357 yards as a freshman after taking over when veteran Jake Bentley suffered a season-ending injury on the last play of the opener.

Hilinski is in a late quarterback battle with Collin Hill, a graduate transfer from Colorado State, who followed Bobo to Columbia.

The quarterbacks have the luxury of working behind four returning starters on the ofof fensive line, but the skill posiposi tion players lack experience other than wide receiver Shi Smith, who had 43 catches for 489 yards last year.

The back end of South Carolina’s defense is strong with five returning starters.

Expectations are high for 6-foot-5, 265-pound freshfresh man defensive lineman Jordan Burch, a hometown player who was ranked the nation’s eighth-best recruit by 247sports.com, the highestranked recruit signed by the Gamecocks since Jadeveon Clowney was No. 1 in 2011.

RYAN HILINSKI AP photos

SCHEDULE

RB Marcus Lattimore owns the Gamecock record for career rushing touchdowns with 38, which ranks 18th all-time in the SEC.

22

9/26 vs. Tennessee

Williams-Brice Stadium

10/10 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

10/24 at LSU Tiger Stadium

11/14 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/28 vs. Georgia Sanford Stadium

10/3 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/17 vs. Auburn Williams-Brice Stadium

11/7 vs. Texas A&M Williams-Brice Stadium

11/21 vs. Missouri Williams-Brice Stadium

12/5 at Kentucky Kroger Field

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

TENNESSEE (2019 RECORD: 8-5) Jeremy Pruitt (13-12; 13-12 in two seasons at Tennessee) • Neyland Stadium (102,455)

LATE-SEASON WINNING STREAK GIVES VOL FANS HOPE FOR 2020

KEY PLAYERS OL Trey Smith, right (32 games played), RB Eric Gray (539 yards, 5.3 avg., 4 TDs), QB Jarrett Guarantano (152-of-257, 2,158 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs), LB Henry To’o To’o (72 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 FR), DB Bryce Thompson (32 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 sack), WR Josh Palmer (34 receptions, 457 yards, 1 TD), DL Kivon Bennett (27 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks), OL Wanya Morris (13 games), K Brent Cimaglia (23-of-27 FG, 35-of-35 XP)

Pruitt emphasizes the need to create turnovers on defense

QUOTABLE The unique thing about our league is that anybody can beat anybody any week, so it will be a tough 10 games.

You have to be prepared every week.

You have to be at your best every week. You have to sustain and stay healthy. Obviously, this will be the first time that any of us have ever experienced it. It’ll be a great challenge and something that we’re looking forward to.

Jeremy Pruitt, head coach

HALL OF FAME

be a focus for us.”

The Vols recovered four fumbles to tie for 118th in the country.

Tennessee expects improvement on offense with eight starters returning.

The Vols settled on Jarrett GuarGuar antano as the starting quarterback for the last two games of the season after he came off the bench to beat Mississippi State, South Carolina, Alabama-BirAlabama-Bir mingham and Kentucky.

Tennessee should be better at running the football with its two leadlead ing rushers returning in Ty Chandler and Eric Gray, who combined for 1,194 yards and 5.1 yards per carry. Senior ofof fensive guard Trey Smith leads a veteran group up front that has 79 career starts.

Tennessee’s Jeremy Pruitt has Volunteer fans feverishly singing Rocky Top after the program almost hit rock bottom.

Pruitt looked like a bad coaching hire when the Vols opened last season with a 38-30 loss to Georgia State, the school’s first victory over a Power Five conference team. Things got worse as the Vols started 1-4 with the lone victory over Chattanooga, an FCS team. But Tennessee turned things around by winning seven of eight, including a six-game winning streak to end the season capped by a come-from-behind 23-22 victory over Indiana in the Gator Bowl.

Defense keyed the turnaround.

Pruitt, who was a defensive coordinator at Florida State and Alabama, took over a unit in 2017 that allowed 412.9 yards and 29.1 points per game to rank 81st and 83rd, respectively. The Vols improved to 377.5 yards (49th) and 27.9 points (77th) per game in Pruitt’s first season and jumped to 334.5 yards (23rd) and 21.7 points (29th) per game last season.

Tennessee has to replace only three defensive starters, and middle linebacker Daniel Bituli and safety Nigel Warrior return after combining for 158 tackles.

Tennessee put pressure on offenses with 34 sacks, which ranked third in the SEC, but the Vols ranked only 10th in turnover margin.

“We’ve got to get more turnovers on defense, especially when you talk about fumbles,” Pruitt said. “We did not get nearly enough last year, so that’s got to

JARRETT GUARANTANO AP photos

SCHEDULE Photo courtesy of Tennessee

DE Reggie White was a consensus All-American in 1983, and his single-season sack mark from that season (15) remains the school record.

9/26 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

10/10 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

10/24 vs. Alabama Neyland Stadium

11/14 vs. Texas A&M Neyland Stadium

11/28 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

10/3 vs. Missouri Neyland Stadium

10/17 vs. Kentucky Neyland Stadium

11/7 at Arkansas

11/21 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

12/5 vs. Florida Neyland Stadium

Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

23

VANDERBILT (2019 RECORD: 3-9)

Derek Mason (27-47; 27-47 in seven seasons at Vanderbilt) • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)

DEFENSE LOOKS TO BE A STRENGTH FOR STRUGGLING VANDY PROGRAM

KEY PLAYERS LB Dimitri Moore, right (99 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 PD), DL Dayo Odeyingbo (45 tackles, 12 TFL, 1.5 sacks), WR Cam Johnson (30 receptions, 316 yards, 3 TDs), DB Allan George (39 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks), DB Tae Daley (57 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 PD), RB Keyon Henry-Brooks (252 yards, 4.5 avg., 1 TD), DB Dashaun Jenkins (58 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 PD), DB Brendon Harris (51 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PD)

Mason overhauled coaching staff after going 3-9 last year

QUOTABLE It’s a new defense but it’s full of guys who played a year ago ... and I think that’s gonna help this defensive group mature. It’s not necessarily about the scheme. It’s really about fundamentals. So in order for us to play fast, physical and be good in terms of getting off the field, it’s gonna take a united focus by everybody to make sure that we can play the type of ball that Coach [Ted] Roof wants these guys to play.

Derek Mason, head coach

HALL OF FAME

Vanderbilt has a ton of unknowns, leaving head coach Derek Mason in a precarious position.

Mason was brought back for a seventh season after a 3-9 record, which equaled his worst since he took over in Nashville in 2014. The Commodores were outscored 152-44 by Southeastern Conference East rivals Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Vanderbilt also lost 34-10 at home to 4-8 UNLV. “When you look at where we are, that’s not where we want to be,” Mason said. “Our standards are higher, and we understand that.”

Mason overhauled his coaching staff by bringing in Todd Fitch to run the ofof fense and Ted Roof the defense. offen-Fitch, who is Mason’s fourth offen sive coordinator at Vanderbilt, comes from Louisiana Tech, which averaged 32.5 points per game last season. His job was made tougher when the coronacorona virus pandemic shut down spring drills, cutting short his chance to work with unun proven quarterbacks — junior college transfer Jeremy Moussa and freshman Ken Seals.

No drills was somewhat good news for Moussa, who was limited this spring by a lower leg injury. He averaged 353 yards passing per game at San Bernardino Valley College and was named Mountain Conference co-offensive player of the year.

“We had a team meeting and they told us spring ball was going to get postponed, so the first thing in my mind was that it’s going to be good for me because it gives me more time to rehab and get back to full speed,” Moussa said.

Along with possibly starting a quarterback who hasn’t taken

a snap at Vandy, the offense also lost its top three playmakers in 1,000-yard rusher Ke’Shawn Vaughn, leading wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb and tight end Jared Pinkney, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons. And offensive tackle Devin Cochran, who started 32 games, transferred to Georgia Tech.

The rebuilding process starts with sophomore wide receiver Cam Johnson, who started the last nine games and finished with 30 receptions for 316 yards. Sophomore running back Keyon Henry-Brooks showed promise with 70 yards rushing on 13 carries along with five receptions for 34 yards in a loss to Tennessee.

The inexperienced offense could get bailed out by the defense, which returns last season’s top 10 tacklers led by linebacker Dimitri Moore (99 tackles, 48 solos).

“I’m as excited about this opportunity as any opportunity I’ve had,” said Roof, who came from Appalachian State and has been a coordinator for 16 seasons at Power Five conference schools, including Auburn.

CAM JOHNSON AP photos

SCHEDULE Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt

WR Boo Mitchell was a third-team All-American in 1988 and sits second in school history for receiving yards with 2,964, which ranks eighth all-time in the SEC.

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9/26 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/10 vs. South Carolina Vanderbilt Stadium

10/31 vs. Ole Miss Vanderbilt Stadium

10/3 vs. LSU Vanderbilt Stadium

10/17 at Missouri Faurot Field

11/7 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

11/14 at Kentucky Kroger Field

11/28 vs. Tennessee Vanderbilt Stadium

11/21 vs. Florida Vanderbilt Stadium

12/5 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

Injuries sustained during Friday night games can’t always wait until Monday.

Saturday morning clinics were created to make sure our area athletes are treated sooner to get them back to playing the sports they love. Athletes are invited to arrive at 8:30am each Saturday, where we provide concussion and injury evaluations for free.* 3121 University Dr. East Ste 100 Bryan TX, 77802 Phone: 979-776-0169

For additional services such as bracing or casting, we will bill the student’s insurance, so please bring a student accident form and insurance card for the visit.

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

25

TURNOVERS IN FOCUS

Aggie defense needs more takeaways in Elko’s third year

By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com Texas A&M’s defense has made significant strides under coordinator Mike Elko. But for it to earn the Wrecking Crew title again, it has to get much better at taking the football away.

In its nine losses under Elko, A&M forced only two turnovers, both interceptions. But the Aggies weren’t much better in the other games, either, totaling 14 turnovers last season to rank 107th in the country. That was an improvement from 2018, when they had 11 to rank 120th.

A&M has a chance to force more turnovers this year because of experience — both the system and the players — along with more talent and depth. This is the third year for Elko’s 4-2-5 base alignment, a slight departure from the 4-3 base defenses run by previous coordinators John Chavis and Mark Snyder under Kevin Sumlin.

“The first thing about being a third year in a system is you’ve recruited a couple classes,” A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said.

“So hopefully, you’ve gotten guys that you feel that fit into your defense.”

A&M has budding sophomore playmakers in defensive end DeMarvin Leal and safety Demani Richardson. They are part of a promising group of underclassmen from back-to-back Top 10 recruiting classes, many of whom are sure to see the field.

The veteran players understand better what they should be doing and the coaches have a better feel for how and where they should be playing, Fisher said.

“More importantly, they understand what the coaches are trying to coach and do,” Fisher said.

The defense has eight players with at least 10 career starts and six more players with starting experience.

The most experience is at linebacker, where senior Buddy Johnson and junior Anthony Hines III have combined for 35 starts. They were the team’s top tacklers last season, combining for 150 stops, including 20 for losses along with seven quarterback pressures.

“We view ourselves as a championship defense,” Johnson said. “This defense, guys are flying around, there’s a lot of energy, a lot of competitiveness out there. The energy is contagious.

The guys are just playing fast. It’s just so fun to be around. It’s the ‘want-to’ that Coach Fisher always talks about.”

Johnson and Hines are among nine returning defensive starters from the 24-21 Texas Bowl victory over Oklahoma State, the team’s lone win over a ranked team last year. Johnson and Hines should be able to create more havoc behind a line anchored by veteran tackles Bobby Brown III and Jayden Peevy, while ends Micheal Clemons, Tyree Johnson and Leal have combined for 23 starts. Junior Josh Rogers and redshirt freshman Derick Hunter are tackles expected to be in the line’s rotation along with end Jeremiah Martin.

“I mean, Clemons has been outstanding,” Fisher said. “He’s physical, big and is in great shape. Tyree has been doing really good and [6-foot-5, 262-pound] Jeremiah Martin has grown into

26

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Texas A&M’s Anthony Hines III, left, and Keldrick Carper tackle South Carolina’s Chad Terrell at Kyle Field in November 2019. his body.”

Leal made seven starts last year, getting 38 tackles, 5.5 of them for losses, showing flashes of greatness.

“DeMarvin Leal has been outstanding; I mean the guy can play inside and outside,” Fisher said. “He’s just a natural football player and leader.”

If the line paves the way, the Aggies will have a successful season, Hines said.

“I think they’re really up for that task,” Hines said. “You know, they’ve been really working super hard since offseason, it’s really just starting to see them buy into not only scheme, but shoot, the effort stuff. When you see a defensive lineman running 60 yards down the field to tackle a receiver, that’s when you start to have your turnovers.”

A&M is fortunate to have experience in the secondary, despite losing two potential starting cornerbacks. Debione Renfro declared for the NFL draft instead of returning for his senior season and senior Elijah Blades opted not to play this year. Senior cornerback Myles Jones is a three-year starter and safeties Leon O’Neal Jr. and Richardson have combined for 21 starts.

Safety Keldrick Carper and nickel back Clifford Chattman have combined to play in 59 games, and freshman Jaylon Jones and junior transfer Brian George top a handful of newcomers who will see the field.

“I love the athleticism,” Fisher said. “I think we have excel-

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

lent ball skills in the secondary, and I think that makes a big difference, not just in covering, but being able to judge the football — playing the football in the air, and when you get chances to get turnovers, do that, or cover fumbles.”

A&M didn’t force many turnovers in Elko’s first two seasons, but Fisher was pleased with the unit’s play. Elko, who was pried away from Notre Dame after only one season, inherited a defense that ranked poorly in rushing defense (70th), total defense (78th), passing yards (85th) and scoring (87th).

A&M allowed only 340.2 yards per game last season to rank 29th in the country. The Aggies gave up 22.5 points per game to rank 37th, and A&M allowed opponents to convert only 31.8% of their third downs to rank 15th, an improvement of 70 spots from the 2017 squad.

“We’ve had some good numbers on defense, but didn’t create the turnovers,” Fisher said. “Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t. But we need to do that, and put an emphasis on it, and we are. But at the same time, you’ve got to stay fundamentally sound in what you do.”

A&M, for the first time under Fisher and Elko, has the depth and talent on the line and in the secondary to expand the rotation, keeping players fresh and, they hope, applying more pressure. ”I think all those things will matter,” Fisher said.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS ON DEFENSE Buddy Johnson Senior linebacker

Johnson anchored the A&M defense in 2019 and led the team in tackles with 77.

Johnson’s biggest play of the season was a 62-yard fumble recovery scoop-and-score touchdown against Ole Miss. He enters his second year as a full-time starter and is one of the team captains.

DeMarvin Leal

Sophomore defensive lineman

Leal emerged as a starter at defensive end for the Aggies as a true freshman in 2019, getting the nod in seven games. In the Texas Bowl, Leal played defensive tackle and had a seamless transition, notching five tackles. It’s uncertain whether Leal will play end or tackle, but he is primed to be a strong part of the starting rotation.

Demani Richardson Sophomore safety

Richardson made an instant impact in the Aggies’ secondary as a true freshman in 2019 and was named A&M’s top defensive newcomer. Starting in 11 games, Richardson was third on the team in tackles and

was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team.

In a secondary depleted by juniors leaving early and players opting out, Richardson will play a crucial role.

Anthony Hines III

Redshirt junior linebacker

After returning from injury, Hines stayed healthy in 2019. He started in all 13 games for the Aggies, and was second on the team in tackles with 73. Hines helps form an experienced duo with Johnson at linebacker.

He has a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage, totaling 10.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries last season.

Tyree Johnson

Redshirt junior defensive end

Johnson’s role increased in 2019, going from key backup to a starter in 10 games.

Johnson is the Aggies’ top returning defensive lineman after recording four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss last season. A&M will need Johnson to make more steps forward in the pass rush after losing standout defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to the NFL. — Alex Miller

Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

Demani Richardson, left, celebrates after an interception against Alabama at Kyle Field in October 2019.

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

27

EXPERT PREDICTIONS Writers share how they think the season will go for Texas A&M KIRK BOHLS Austin American-Statesman

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

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

Florida; 3. Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt How many regular-season games will Texas A&M play? 10.

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-2.

Summarize Texas A&M’s season: This figured to be the Aggies’ breakout season under Jimbo Fisher with a senior quarterback, a veteran offensive line led by Kenyon Green and an emerging defense. Dates with Alabama and Florida two of the first three weeks could tell the tale.

Where does Kellen Mond rate among SEC quarterbacks? He’d better be the best of them and tops Jamie Newman, the equally athletic transfer from Wake Forest now at Georgia who then opted out of the season.

28

With the league’s elite quarterbacks gone to the NFL, Mond could even lap the field if he harnesses his huge potential as a gifted runner who should run more and a passer who continues to improve his accuracy.

How did the coronavirus affect A&M? I would say it galvanized the Aggie locker room, and probably splintered the conservative fan base who didn’t look kindly on Mond’s and teammates’ efforts to lobby the removal of the statue of former A&M president and savior Sul Ross.

This will be Jimbo Fisher’s best season at A&M if ... The defense plays more like an SEC defense with a sturdy line and athletic linebackers that can stop the run and force more turnovers.

This will be Jimbo’s Fisher’s worst season at A&M if ... Mond’s passing percentage dips back into the 50s, and Jhamon Ausbon, the expected top target and biggest playmaker, can’t be replaced.

Who is A&M’s most pivotal player for success and why? Kellen Mond without

SEC 2020 • The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

question. But linebacker Anthony Hines is almost as critical a key.

DENNIS DODD CBS Sports

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

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

Georgia; 3. South Carolina; 4. Tennessee; 5.

Kentucky; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt How many regular-season games will Texas A&M play? Nine.

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-2.

Where does Kellen Mond rate among SEC quarterbacks? Second behind Kyle Trask.

How did the coronavirus affect A&M? I don’t know. That story has yet to be written.

Like everyone else, it impacted the program on a mental level. I don’t know enough about recruiting to assess that impact.

This will be Jimbo Fisher’s best season

at A&M if ... It can challenge for the SEC West title. That means having it in play on the last weekend.

This will be Jimbo’s Fisher’s worst season at A&M if ... If the Aggies don’t make a quantum leap in Year 3. With 18 starters back that means challenging for, if not winning, the West. Anything lower than a second-place finish is going to bring the critics out of the woodwork.

Who is A&M’s most pivotal player for success and why? Kellen Mond. If not Trask, Mond is the best QB in the SEC. In an age when if you’ve got a QB, you’ve got a chance, this is a no-brainer.

BRENT ZWERNEMAN Houston Chronicle

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

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

Georgia; 3.Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. Mis-

souri; 6. South Carolina; 7.Vanderbilt How many regular-season games will Texas A&M play? 10 Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-3 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: 2020 was the year Aggies had long pointed to, with their most forgiving schedule since joining the SEC. The pandemic changed all of that, but the Aggies can still compete for their first SEC West title. I just won’t hold my breath (unless I’m in public these days).

Where does Kellen Mond rate among SEC quarterbacks? Of the top five passing yards leaders in the SEC last season, only Mond (third) and Florida’s Kyle Trask (second) return. Stats are only as good as your record, however, and Mond still has plenty to prove entering his senior season — primarily can he hit receivers downfield with any consistency.

How did the coronavirus affect A&M? Jimbo Fisher is a grinder who gets a ton done in spring drills and in the offseason with his players far from the spotlight, so the pandemic negatively impacted his program, no doubt, perhaps to the point of meaning one or two more losses in the regular season.

This will be Jimbo Fisher’s best season at A&M if ... Receiver Demond Demas and defensive back Jaylon Jones make instant

impacts on each side of the ball, much of the rest should take care of itself based on multiple veteran units.

This will be Jimbo’s Fisher’s worst season at A&M if ... Defenders decide they’re more into reflecting than deflecting. That is likely a good thing off the field — not so much on it.

Who is A&M’s most pivotal player for success and why? The person who supplies the masks Sundays through Fridays (PSA: WEAR YOUR MASK!) ROBERT CESSNA The Eagle

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

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

Georgia; 3. Kentucky; 4. Tennessee; 5. South Carolina; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt How many regular-season games will Texas A&M play? Nine Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 6-3 Summarize Texas A&M’s season: A&M will recover from back-to-back losses to Alabama and Florida by winning out except for Auburn. The Aggies will miss a game at Kyle Field because an opponent can’t make the trip because of the coronavirus, probably

Arkansas. You figure the way 2020 has been, the Aggies lose the home game they gained.

Where does Kellen Mond rate among SEC quarterbacks? He’ll be third behind Florida’s Kyle Trask and Mississippi State’s K.J. Costello, but will it be a close or distant third? Losing Jhamon Ausbon, who is his best receiver and roommate, was a killer, but having tight ends Baylor Cupp and Blake Smith have season-ending injuries might prove just as costly.

How did the coronavirus affect A&M? The revamped schedule gaining Florida and Tennessee added at least another loss. And playing Alabama and Florida back-to-back leaves A&M with a distinct possibility of being 1-2, which would lead to many fans predicting doom and gloom.

This will be Jimbo Fisher’s best season at A&M if ... The offensive line has to play up to its potential and Mond needs to have the kind of season that had him ranked as the fourth-best quarterback for the 2021 NFL Draft last month by ESPN’s Todd McShay.

This will be Jimbo’s Fisher’s worst season at A&M if … Injuries continue to mount, the offensive line is only so-so and the Aggies lose the big games on the road — Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee — along with another loss along the way.

Who is A&M’s most pivotal player for success and why? Mond. His name is becoming a four-letter word that makes some Aggie cringe when mentioned, but if the Aggies finish second or higher in the SEC West, his name will be synonymous with “hero.”

OLIN BUCHANAN TexAgs.com

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

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

Florida; 3. Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt How many regular-season games will A&M play? 10.

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-2.

Summarize Texas A&M’s season: I think it will be a very good year. I believe the game at Alabama will be very competitive, but I have to expect an Alabama victory until the Aggies prove they can beat higher-level opponents. A&M will bounce back to beat Florida to start a winning streak. Though a 9-1 finish is possible, maintaining a high level of play every week in 10 conference Continued on Page 30

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games is unlikely. Stumbling once more is a probability, though not sure when it would occur. Most would say at Auburn or the finale against LSU. A trip to South Carolina could be dangerous. And need I remind anyone about A&M’s history in Starkville?

Where does Kellen Mond rate among SEC quarterbacks? Going into the season I’d rank Kellen Mond as the SEC’s best quarterback because of his ability to run and pass. A better offensive line, more team speed and Mond’s own experience will result in the best year of his career, I believe. That might be enough for him to be the SEC’s QB. Maybe not. I’d expect he’ll be at least among the top three.

How did the coronavirus affect A&M? Who knows about COVID? So far A&M has done a good job keeping it under control within the team. This team seems to be focused and determined. There’s a lot of senior leadership. Therefore, the COVID effects will probably be minimal — whatever minimal is.

This will be Jimbo Fisher’s best season at A&M if ... Injuries don’t become a major factor, the offensive line shows improvement and the pass rush is bolstered. Mond must

also reduce his turnover total.

This will be Jimbo’s Fisher’s worst season at A&M if ... It will be a bad year if injuries mount and A&M becomes turnover prone.

I think A&M’s talent is as good as anyone except perhaps Alabama. Take care of the football and the Aggies will avoid a bad year.

A lot of that falls on Kellen Mond, but the line must protect him.

Who is A&M’s most pivotal player for success and why? The most pivotal player for success is Mond. He’s been very good at times. He’s struggled at times. Sometimes he’s been good and struggled in the same game (Texas Bowl, for example). If Mond reduces his turnover numbers and is willing to use his running ability more frequently, he could have an excellent year. In fact, I think A&M’s season will be defined by Mond’s season. If Mond has a great year, A&M has a great year. If Mond has a good year, A&M has a good year. And so on.

TRAVIS L. BROWN The Eagle

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

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

Georgia; 3. Tennessee; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Missouri; 7. Vanderbilt How many regular-season games will Texas A&M play? 10 Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-2.

Summarize Texas A&M’s season: In a season that could rely a little more on veteran savvy than deep game-planning, A&M has an edge with one of the conference’s oldest teams. The one sure loss will be at Alabama in Week 2, ending any hope of taking the SEC West, but A&M could have a shot at running the rest of the table. While LSU is the obvious choice for another Aggie test in the West, give me A&M’s first shot at Mike Leach and Mississippi State, as well as the season finale against Auburn, as the two most likely West slip-ups in what could be a special A&M season. Florida also has eyes on an SEC crown, but A&M has every claim to that cross-division matchup at this point.

Where does Kellen Mond rate among SEC quarterbacks? Entering the season, Mond has the most upside of any quarterback in the conference. If his offensive line can show real improvement from last season, Mond has the tools he needs to manage an offense that could win A&M plenty of games this season. When it’s all said and done, the SEC’s best could likely be Florida’s

Kyle Trask and Mississippi State’s K.J. Costello, who transferred in this season from Stanford.

How did the coronavirus affect A&M? A&M’s honeymoon with its sweetheart schedule came to a crashing end with the addition of Florida and Tennessee to the gauntlet of the SEC West. On an individual level, the thought of potentially losing a season has created a higher level of buy-in from those players that have opted in, which could make for a very fun next few months.

This will be Jimbo Fisher’s best season at A&M if ... The offensive line can give Kellen Mond enough time to progress through his reads and keep his body off the turf.

This will be Jimbo’s Fisher’s worst season at A&M if ... A&M’s players don’t take weekly body maintenance seriously and the grind of an all-SEC schedule breaks down A&M’s depth. This is a season that could be won in the training room.

Who is A&M’s most pivotal player for success and why? The offensive line as a unit.

Too frequently last season A&M’s offense remained stagnant due to the line’s inability to get a push both in run and pass blocking.

If Mond takes the kind of hits he took last season without weeks to rest, it could make for a difficult season all around.

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