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03 Oct 2011

ESPN: A&M Will Struggle In SEC

Now, we're not saying that Texas A&M is going to struggle to make a bowl or anything, but the SEC schedule isn't going to help the Aggies' win-loss record either. We ran retrodictive projections of Texas A&M against every SEC schedule, and found that even the strongest Aggies teams would be likely to win one fewer game per year in their new conference than they would in the Big 12.

Posted by: Brian Fremeau on 03 Oct 2011

5 comments, Last at 05 Oct 2011, 12:11am by dub_rex

Comments

1
by justme_cd :: Tue, 10/04/2011 - 1:06am

Meh, with ESPN tied to UT, I've already reached my fill of their anti-A&M slant.

2
by zlionsfan :: Tue, 10/04/2011 - 8:06am

The link above may not work for some people who are already Insiders: ESPN's site brings up the login box even though I'm already logged in. This link should work.

3
by TV_Pete (not verified) :: Tue, 10/04/2011 - 10:11am

I believe that A&M will struggle initially in the SEC.

However, I think that the Aggies' recruiting will benefit and they will come back and be competitive within 2-5 years, leaving them as a stronger team. It will still be tough to face Arkansas, LSU, Alabama, and Auburn every year.

I wonder who they would face from the East every year and if they will maintain a constant non-SEC matchup (like Georgia-Georgia Tech, Florida-Florida State, South Carolina-Clemson) and if so, who they would keep? Texas Tech or Texas? Or maybe, TCU?

5
by dub_rex (not verified) :: Wed, 10/05/2011 - 12:11am

Why will aTm benefit in recruiting? They'll still be competing with UT and OU for Texas HS recruits, regardless of their conference. If recruits want to play in the SEC, aTm will have to compete with nearby schools LSU and Arkansas (Bobby Petrino is a jackass, but he can recruit, no?)
As far as non-SEC matchups, I wouldn't count on UT or TTU in the near future. I would guess a non-BCS Texas team, such as TCU, SMU or UH; no need to make their new schedule any harder, the SEC-West is a monster and I don't see it letting up any time soon.

4
by JIPanick :: Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:15pm

I figure a loss of one win per year is a very conservative estimate. I also think that the SEC name brand is not worth the likely hit to the record in terms of recruiting, and A&M will likely be mediocre for years to come.

Moreover, A&M's non-revenue sports have been excellent to dominant in the Big XII. I'm worried this might disrupt that. Overall, we're shooting ourselves in the foot to no end other than to spite whichever idiots are behind the Longhorn Network - not worth it.

Pete, if we keep one non-SEC rival there is no way it will be anyone but texas. TCU? We don't play them every year even now.