Texas A&M Football: 2016 Contender or Pretender

If you’ve read our first few “2016 Contender or Pretender” articles, then you know how this goes. Contender doesn’t mean to be better than last year. When using the term contender, we are referencing a realistic ability to contend for the SEC crown. Now, there will be many disagreements this year leading into the season because of so much uncertainty amidst the conference, specifically in regards to quarterback. If my brother John were to write this article, I bet there’s a good chance we come to different conclusions, and that is what makes debates so much fun.

So, Texas A&M football: contender or pretender?

Argument for 2016 Pretender

Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin watches warm ups prior to a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

For all the accolades Kevin Sumlin has gotten for being an offensive genius, his offense sure has sputtered against stiff SEC competition. The exception, of course, is Johnny Manziel. Since Manziel’s departure, the Texas A&M offense has looked great against weaker opponents, and been stonewalled against the better defenses. Frustration got so high, Sumlin lost Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen to transfers. Both were former 5-star recruits, and both of them leaving is a sign of some troubling things going on behind the scenes. The frustration of the season cost former offensive coordinator Jake Spatival and offensive line coach Dave Christensen their jobs.

With that much change on the offensive side of the ball, it is a toss up as to who will play quarterback. Texas A&M does get Trevor Knight as a senior transfer from Oklahoma, but I know Sumlin probably feels the trade of Murray for Knight seems to be a bit one sided in the favor of his opposition. Trevor Knight was beaten out of the starting job by Baker Mayfield. It is way too easy to compare Texas A&M and Trevor Knight, with last year’s Georgia and Greyson Lambert.

The other option at quarterback is Jake Hubenak. We’ve seen Jake Hubenak play at Texas A&M. Let’s just say that if Jake Hubenak is labeled the starting quarterback, Texas A&M will be a pretender no matter what I say the rest of the article. Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure he’s a fine kid, and many teams would gladly take him off of Texas A&M’s hands, but he’s not navigating a 2016 gauntlet of Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and out-of-conference UCLA with Jake Hubenak. I mean, not successfully anyways.

Apr 5, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive coordinator John Chavis during the 2014 spring game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

John Chavis came in and Texas A&M still ranked outside the top 50 in total defense. Ok, they were ranked 51st, but still. Come on. When has LSU, Alabama, or anyone else in the SEC West won their division with a total defense ranking outside the top 50, or even close to 50th? With an offense that struggled last year, the Texas A&M defense was able to keep the Aggies in most games. However, they lost to the aforementioned Ole Miss, Alabama and LSU teams plus Auburn, all by double digits. That is worth reiterating: Texas A&M lost to Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU and Auburn by a combined 66 points, that is an average of 16.5 points per game.

Argument for 2016 Contender

Earlier, I said that it is too easy to compare Texas A&M and Trevor Knight to Georgia and Greyson Lambert. Seeing that from the argument of contender, you feel a bit better about it. Trevor Knight is a proven commodity, and he proved at Oklahoma he could win the big games. After an average 2013 season, he went on to win the Orange Bowl and be named the game’s MVP against a very good Alabama defense. The pessimist would say Alabama wasn’t motivated, but Alabama forced Oklahoma to put the ball in the hands of Trevor Knight, betting he couldn’t beat them, and he did. He beat them real good.

Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Trevor Knight (9) passes the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Trevor Knight was everything Aggies’ fans wanted to see during the spring game. He completed 25-of-36 passes for 2 touchdowns and 282 yards. A cause for concern is Knight’s tendency to throw interceptions, but if he only throws 1 per 36 attempts, like he did in the spring game, Texas A&M could probably live with that ratio. Aggies fans have to love the 11.28 yards per completion and the 2-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio. Kevin Sumlin love it too, apparently. He named Trevor Knight the starter on Monday.

We didn’t mention the wide receivers in the pretend portion of the column, because there is nothing pretend about them. Sophomore Christian Kirk and company are the real deal. Christian Kirk and Speedy Noil create separation and space using their tremendous speed and go up to get the ball with their superb athleticism. Both are listed by Texas A&M as standing 5’11”, but size is no issue for this group. On Texas A&M’s spring roster, they had 6 wide receivers standing 6’2″ or taller, and 4 standing taller than 6’4″. If the new (returning) offensive line coach Jim Turner can get Trevor Knight some time, it’ll be interesting to see if new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone can take advantage of the weapons he has on the outside.

Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk (3) salutes after returning a punt for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Earlier, I asked if you could name an SEC West Champion with a total defense outside the top 50. Well, the last do be crowned SEC West Champion and be outside the top 50 in total defense was the 2013 Auburn team that ranked 87th. Remember, they pulled off 2 miracle plays during the season to finish as champion, because in all honesty they should’ve had lost to Alabama and Georgia that year. I said that to say, this Texas A&M defense won’t be ranked outside the top 50 this year. They lost a few good players this past season, but their recruiting has landed some exceptional talent on that side of the ball the last 2 recruiting seasons. John Chavis being there will continue to improve the Texas A&M defense and I think they rank inside the top 30 this year in total defense.

Are the 2016 Texas A&M Aggies contenders or pretenders?

More from Southbound and Down

I typed Texas A&M football is a contender and deleted it. I typed Texas A&M Football is a pretender and I deleted it. I’m torn on this because I do believe in Trevor Knight. I also believe in John Chavis and an improved defense. I’m just reminded of the offensive woes they’ve had against good opposition and that reminds me of the offensive woes UCLA would face when Noel Mazzone was offensive coordinator there.

The x-factor for me is Christian Kirk. I am all-in on this kid. I think the Texas A&M offense shows drastic improvement in consistency this season with a season vet like Trevor Knight, who is no stranger to the spot light. I believe Kirk has an SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award-type season, and the defense actually wins a game for them this year. Give me the Aggies as contenders.

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