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I don't mean to burst bubbles, but I am concerned about our run defense. TCU seemed to have no problem running and Baylor eventually wore the team down with their backs. Courtney Richardson is a very good back and A&M have giants on their line of scrimmage. Its going to be a huge challenge. If I were Coach B, when the Ponies have the ball, let the play clock run down as much as possible to keep the defense off the field.

Isn't coach Fran a pony-killer from the days when he was with TCU and New Mexico ? I think his reputation is somewhat tarnished since those days, be we still will need a huge effort. I'd still like to see more of Massey along with you-know-who in the backfield....

actually I think he has a losing record 3-4 against SMU.

Stallion wrote:actually I think he has a losing record 3-4 against SMU.

Then let's keep it going, I say

That (3-4) surprises me, but I guess it makes sense. More so than his "I want to retire here" statements he's made at every coaching stop....

One thing that is a legitimate concern is that TCU's starting back Lonta Hobbs was injured in the first quarter. TCU does split time among two backs, but Robert Merrill did rush for 99 yards on 20 carries. Patterson referenced that Merrill got tired at the end. This may have made our run defense look better than it was. On the flip side, it seemed we were doing a better job of rotating D-linemen in the second half. And again, the offense looked a little better against TCU and stayed on the field longer and the defense was fresher as a result.

a couple of those losses were when he was and Univ. NM

SMU Football Blog wrote:One thing that is a legitimate concern is that TCU's starting back Lonta Hobbs was injured in the first quarter. TCU does split time among two backs, but Robert Merrill did rush for 99 yards on 20 carries. Patterson referenced that Merrill got tired at the end. This may have made our run defense look better than it was. On the flip side, it seemed we were doing a better job of rotating D-linemen in the second half. And again, the offense looked a little better against TCU and stayed on the field longer and the defense was fresher as a result.

All of that is true. If the Aggie RB is a big guy, like Mosley at Baylor, we could be in for a long afternoon.

he's not. Texas A&M is not a bulldozing team anymore. He's a great athlete but these days they get most of their yards through the air and from McNeal either scrambling or throwing.

Seen this in a couple of threads...so A&M runningbacks:

TBs:
1) Courtney Lewis 6'0'' 204lbs JR. (17 for 78 yards against Clemson)
2) Samson Taylor 6'0'' 205lbs RS FR (0 for 0)
3) Jorvorskie Lane 5'11'' 235 FR (0 for 0)

FBs:
1) Chris Alexander 5'11'' 235 So (3 for 43)
2) Quinlin Germany 6'2'' 277 (0 for 0 but is listed as the 5th string TE)

Just as a point of reference...Mosley went 6'3'' 230

Lane looked about 260 in the HS All-Star Game but is he even in the line-up yet.

A&M has a massive size advantage on the line, and if they power run, they will run us into the ground. It will be interesting to see what Francione does, because they typically like to pass to set up the run and don't have a grind it out, pounding running game. If they pass first, it really helps us out. At some point in the game, they will go to a power running game, and will grind out a lot of running yardage. That is why it is so important that we establish a running game and eat up some clock time.