College Football Countdown: 99 Days

Nov 5, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk (3) carries the ball during a play that would result in a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

One day down, 99 to go. We’re a day closer to the start of the college football season.

With 99 days remaining in Southbound and Down’s College Football Countdown, we break down the significance of the number 99.

Number of receptions Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk needs to tie the SEC record for career receptions.

Previous: No. 100

Next: No. 98

Christian Kirk is currently no. 36 on the list of career receptions with 163. Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt) currently holds the career receptions record with 262.

Kirk caught 80 passes as a freshman in 2015, then caught 83 as a sophomore. If he simply repeats his 2016 performance and catches 83 balls again in 2017, that will be good enough for second most all-time.

Alabama’s Calvin Ridley is right behind Kirk, with 161 career receptions. Ridley had a down year in 2016. After recording 89 receptions for 1,045 yards in 2015, he managed just 72 catches for 769 yards in 2016.

If the Aggies can find an answer at quarterback, Kirk could add his name to the SEC record books by season’s end.