KEEP HOPE ALIVE
Here's why Aggies season is still alive despite catastrophic setback
Sep 14, 2022, 9:41 am
KEEP HOPE ALIVE
In a shocking, unexpected, and flat-out unacceptable turn of events, the Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC lost to Appalachian State of the Sun Belt Conference 17-14 at Kyle Field last Saturday. It had been 15 years since the Mountaineers shocked the college football world in 2007 by upsetting the Michigan Wolverines at The Big House. Even though App State did not pull off any upset since that win in 2007, the small school in North Carolina has developed a reputation for being David, always ready to knock off Goliath. We saw it come true on Saturday at Kyle Field once again.
Early in the season, I wanted to focus on the three things that I thought would be most important to the Ags’ success in 2022. That being quarterback play, freshman impact, and DJ Durkin's first year as Defensive Coordinator. All three of those things failed the Aggies Saturday as well as many other factors.
Trends and storylines for the Aggies be damned for the 2022 season, no one saw this one coming. The Aggies were less than impressive against Sam Houston in week one but still took care of business handly with a 31-0 win. The Aggies had a prime-time matchup on the horizon against Miami in week three to look forward to, but it was up to Coach Jimbo Fisher to get his men ready for a scrappy and experienced Appalachian State team. He did not succeed as the Mountaineers were more physical, more energized, and just flat-out more determined than the Aggies last Saturday and the scoreboard reflects that.
For a program trying to reach the levels of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson, something like this cannot happen. Teams with superior talent and skill do not lose to lower levels of competition. These seem like obvious statements but it all comes into play when a program wanting to become a powerhouse loses to a group of five opponents. As a graduate of Texas A&M writing this article is not fun, plenty of jokes have been made, and lots of ridicule from family and friends, but the eternal optimist in me says that the season is far from lost, and here’s why.
Texas A&M welcomes the 13th-ranked Miami Hurricanes to town this Saturday for a prime-time matchup at Kyle Field. The Aggies are a 5.5-point favorite at the time of writing this and will have a packed stadium of anxious fans behind them. If the Maroon and White can flip the script and pull off the big win, it will not only completely rebuild the teams’ confidence heading into SEC play, but it will reinstill confidence in Jimbo Fisher. Fisher has had plenty of big wins in his time at A&M to earn some grace, even after such an embarrassing defeat. Beating Miami would tally another win of that caliber on his resume and set up the Aggies well heading into their first SEC matchup against Arkansas in Dallas.
Make no mistake, Jimbo Fisher and his Aggies took an uppercut to the jaw from App State last Saturday, they are dazed but it's still early in the fight. If the Ags’ can get up off of the mat this Saturday and fight angry against the Hurricanes, then the season might not be lost just yet… The Aggies win 28-24.
The World Series is in full swing and as we wait to see which team brings home the hardware, odds have already been released for the 2025 season.
According to Draft Kings and Fan Duel, the Astros have the sixth-best odds to win the championship next season. So while many in the national media are burying the Astros and saying the window is closed, the oddsmakers don't agree.
Of course, these odds have been released before free agency, so things will change based on the moves made this offseason.
For Houston, Alex Bregman's future with the team is up in the air. So that could have a big impact on their chances in 2025. Something else to monitor heading into the offseason is if the club would consider trading either Framber Valdez or Kyle Tucker.
If Breggy leaves, it's hard to imagine Houston moving on from Tucker. They can't afford to lose two of their best bats, and the team clearly has more depth in the rotation than they do in the outfield.
Trading Framber could clear about $18 million off the books and bring some top prospects into the farm system. And if Bregman is off the books as well, perhaps the team could afford to re-sign Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi would be significantly cheaper than signing Valdez to a long-term deal.
This could change the market
Another thing to consider this offseason is super agent Scott Boras, who also happens to represent Bregman. Boras was unable to secure blockbuster contracts for several of his clients last offseason. Many had to settle for shorter prove it deals.
It's fair to wonder if his clients will be more willing to take the first deal they are offered that they view as acceptable. As opposed to rolling the dice on what Boras is promising.
Maybe this could be a good thing for Bregman's chances of returning, if the Astros are willing to give him a reasonable offer.
Finally, Yankee GM Brian Cashman is still blaming the Astros for not being in a World Series over the last 15 years. We thought we were past this, but if he wants to go there again, we're more than happy to put him in his place!
Don't miss the video above for the full conversation!
*The Astros are always in season for discussion. Our Stone Cold ‘Stros podcasts drop Mondays!
_______________
Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Find out more about it here.