College Football 2015 Preview No. 14: Texas A&M Aggies

Regular Season Records: 7-5, 8-4, 10-2, 6-6

SRS Rankings: 29, 19, 3, 14

Talking Point: Quarterback battle. Kyle Allen looks like one of the nation’s top up and coming passers. He still has not won the job, with five-star recruit Kyler Murray breathing down his neck. When Kevin Sumlin has had an impact-making quarterback, things have gone well for him.

Why To Like Them: Kevin Sumlin’s recruits get a year wiser. Whoever quarterbacks Texas A&M will have an awesome receiving corps. They can score points. A number of SEC teams may struggle with that. John Chavis moves over from LSU to take over the defense. He has some quality pieces to work with on the defensive line, notable TBL Top 50 defensive end Myles Garrett.

Why Not To Like Them: The Aggies inherited a wealth of NFL offensive line talent. Those players are gone. Last year’s crew struggled pass protecting and establishing the run. On the other side, the back end of the defense has collapsed under Sumlin. Even if John Chavis improves the defense, it may not be very good.

Schedule: A&M has a favorable schedule. They play Alabama and Auburn in College Station. They leave Texas once before Nov. 21. Their road draw from the East was Vanderbilt. Possibly tricky opener against Arizona State.

Throwing Darts: Texas A&M’s combination of potential and schedule is intriguing. Not sure they have the requisite “Aggie Swag” to make a run at the SEC title. But, it’s not out of the question. We’ll go bullish and say 9-3, clearing the over-under and ending any Kevin Sumlin-Brady Hoke comparisons.

Random Alum: Lyle Lovett

[via USAT]