Football Opponent Preview: Texas A&M

Stephen McGee is an option QB suddenly asked to run a West Coast/Pro Style offense

Last Season

@Miami 34 Texas A&M 17

Dennis Franchione came to Texas A&M with huge expectations. In his second season, A&M appeared to be ready to breakthrough in the Big XII South, but it never happened. Two consecutive wins over arch rival Texas were not enough to save Coach Fran's job and now Mike Sherman the former Green Bay Packers Head Coach who made the playoffs four times as an NFL Head Coach is the man in charge.

Sherman is dumping A&M's option attack. QB Stephen McGee ran for almost 900 yards last season but is a decent passer, but is he good enough to run a pro style attack. Sherman has moved Jarvorskie Lane to Fullback so Mike Goodson will start at Tailback. Texas A&M has weak receivers but Miami's defensive backs are so suspect it will be interesting to see if playing Miami becomes a breakthrough matchup for A&M's passing attack.

The Aggies defense will be tougher and more aggressive no doubt under Joe Kines, a veteran defensive coordinator of many SEC and ACC programs. The Kines hire was critical for Sherman after Reggie Herring bailed for the NFL. Teams ran all over A&M last year including the Hurricanes whose early season rushing performance in last year's Thursday Night matchup had most of us fooled as to how effective Miami would be running the ball in ACC play. Linebacker Jordon Pugh is good in pass coverage but the A&M secondary has also been suspect recently.

This game will be critical for the Hurricanes. Following a likely loss at Florida, a win on the road against a BCS opponent in one of the most venerable and hostile atmospheres in College Football would speak volumes about Miami's long term prospects. Another road loss will have us wondering how bad 2008 could be.