Texas A&M

hey guys, I'm an aggie and I just wanted to check in with ya'll and give a little insight to things on the other side.  

The Season

The ags this year had a very dissapointing season (what year isn't).  We were a dark horse to win the big 12 and were finally stacked with coach fran's recruiting classes.  everything crumbled after that nationally televised miami game.  after the blowout, the A&M former students(not alumni) were so outraged that one of the major donors revealed the "VIP Newsletter" to the media.  This was it for fran.  Ags are pretty serious about their treasured honor code, and fran broke it.  Not to mention lying to his boss, the AD.
 After a mediocre season, we ended very strong by dominating our biggest game of the year vs. Texas.  We played in that game the way we should have played all year; balanced offense, aggressive defense.  It was magical.  The new coach(which no one is too pleased about) will not coach the bowl game.  

Good Things:
So what should you know about this team?  It is a run happy team with a dying pass game.  j-train(290 tailback) will knock anyone down and is our most dangerous player.  But he is not just a short down back(although he is like 90% on 3rd and 4th downs).  He usually averages 5+ on the ground, at least for a while.  Splitting his carries is Mike Goodson.  A star sophomore.  He's basically your typical fast guy.  

What not to worry about:
  The pass game.  Stephen Mcgee is very inconsistent.  He was recruited as a pocket passer but now is our third rusher.  Expect lots of keepers, options, triple options.  He is a threat on the ground though, make no mistake.  Our receivers are hardly standouts.

And the school?
  A&M is rich with tradition.  Above it, it prides itself on it's military history and deep rooted traditions.  The 12th man, Yell Practice, etc.  if a student sits down at a football game, or attempts to leave, regardless of the score or conditions, he will be yelled at and called a "2%er".  

San Antonio

Texas is a great state.  San Antonio is a tourist attraction.  I'm assuming with the 60,000 extra visitors over the break, it will be just magical.  Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting place.  Check out the Alamo, the site of a Mexican led defeat over the Texans.  The river-walk is a great place for dinner or a stroll.  If you don't eat Tex-Mex for every meal while you're here, you're just crazy.  I'm not from San Antonio, but check out some places online and go to the.  But basically, anywhere will probably be good.  Also, there are some very nice golf courses around if you're staying for a while.  Just a thought.  If you're going to the game, expect to see a lot of aggies.    Last time this same bowl match-up was done, there was an attendance record, and I'm assuming it wasn't a ton of PSU travelers.  If you can, you should consider coming to the Midnight Yell Practice.  You can find out online where it will be.  It's a very fun thing to be a part of.  Feel free to wear your colors, just be respectful.  It's the traditions thing.  This is your best way to see the yell leaders, the yells, and the A&M spirit.  You should check it out. It's only about 45 minutes or so then you can hit the bars on the riverwalk.  Also, aggies pride themselves on being friendly.  If you come to tailgate (which you must) don't be afraid to find a big barbecue and introduce yourself.  

The Game

I don't really know a whole bunch about Penn State this year or in general.  if the aggies play like they can, they can be very competitive.  No one really knows because Fran is gone.  Our pass defense is pretty awful.  If you can pass on us, it shouldn't be too hard.  We like to control the clock.  We like to run the big guy.  We like to play old school option offense.  We don't fumble, and we don't cause fumbles.  It could be interesting.

Aggies wanted the bowl that game them the best chance of winning.  This probably isn't it, but it could be worse.  Hopefully it's not the blowout like last time.

Gig 'em