Rising In The SEC

More than ever recruiting in college football is as competitive as it has ever been and the symbol of that is the Southeastern Conference which has produced 10 of the last 12 national champions. And due to the competitive nature of business in the SEC, it is very easy to get lost in the shuffle there. The Texas A&M Aggies made the jump from the Big 12 Conference in 2012 in favor of the SEC. The Aggies found immediate success in their new conference which saw them go 11-2 and defeat the eventual national champions in the Alabama Crimson Tide that year. But the last three years have not been as promising for A&M as they entered 2016 fresh off of consecutive 8-win campaigns which is good for most programs; just not the Aggies who’ve recently spent roughly $450 million for renovations to Kyle Field.

Kevin Sumlin has been Texas A&M’s head football coach for their entire journey in the Southeastern Conference and he has compiled a record 40-16 during his time at College Station. But with the Aggies finishing sixth in the competitive SEC West in 2014, and fifth last year, he came into this college football season on the hot seat as the powers to be at Texas A&M didn’t want to see their team get lost in shuffle in the same fashion that they did in the Big 12 Conference behind the likes of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. However so far in 2016, Sumlin’s Aggies have been up for the challenge as they are 4-0 with a trip to Atlanta and the SEC Championship Game in December being a distinct possibility.

What hurt the Aggies the last two years has been a strength for them so far in 2016 which is the quarterback position. The last two years have seen a revolving door at quarterback for A&M, but this time around Sumlin has settled on senior quarterback Trevor Knight.

Knight’s collegiate journey began in the Big 12 Conference at Oklahoma and it was highlighted by him helping the Sooners upset the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2014 Sugar Bowl as he would named the game’s MVP. But Knight would lose his starting at Oklahoma to Baker Mayfield and he packed up and found a new home at A&M.

In four games with the Aggies, Knight has provided Sumlin with some stability at the quarterback position along with veteran leadership which has helped Texas A&M score a home victory over the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference, along with conference wins against the Auburn Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks.

Overall the Aggies offense is rolling as led by freshman running back Trayveon Williams they are averaging seven yards per carry and he along with the other A&M ball carriers are running behind an offensive line that has returned three starters from last season.

John Chavis is in his second year as Texas A&M defensive coordinator and he is beginning to really put his touch on things there. Prior to joining Sumlin’s staff, Chavis was the defensive coordinator of the LSU Tigers where he coached numerous players that have gone on to the National Football League such as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson. In Chavis’ first year with Texas A&M, the Aggies reduced their points per game average by six, and they are showing signs here in 2016 that they can be even better.

Defensively the Aggies have 13 sacks through four games and they have one of best players in the country leading the way. All-American junior defensive end Myles Garrett is arguably the best pass rusher in the nation and he could be the first overall pick of next year’s National Football League Draft. Last year Garrett had 12.5 sacks and he is in the mix for similar production here in 2016 as he has already amassed 3 sacks. Chavis knows a thing or two about making life tough for opposing offenses in the Southeastern Conference, and 2016 appears to be no different as his unit will be vital for the Aggies to win the conference crown.

As A&M has gotten off to their fast start, the game to circle on the calendar is their meeting with Alabama on October 22. The Crimson Tide are the defending national champions and when they clash with the Aggies, the implications will be huge as the winner of this game will more than likely get to Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference Title Game, while also having an inside track to make the field of four for the College Football Playoff.

When Sumlin was hired by Texas A&M, he was brought to College Station to win big games and keep the Aggies relevant on the national scene. The Aggies facilities are second to none in the nation as they have what it takes to compete in the brutal Western Division of the Southeastern Conference.

The eyes of Texas are definitely on the Aggies as this could be a very special year for them in the Southeastern Conference.