Texas A&M @ New Mexico preview

Aggies look to get Sherman's first win against Lobos

The Texas A&M Aggies will try to heal their bruised confidence Saturday. They play the University of New Mexico Lobos in University Stadium in Albuquerque.

The Aggies are 0-1 coming off an 18-14 loss to Arkansas State last week at home. The Lobos, members of the Mountain West Conference, were thumped 26-3 by TCU. They are 0-1.

It’s a sure bet that one team will come out a winner. The Aggies went into the season clouded with question marks. They open Saturday with a team and coaching staff shrouded in doubts and more questions. The opening game showed the Aggies were a team confused and dispirited. The coaching edge must go to New Mexico Coach Rocky Long who has a 54-46 record since 2000.

The Aggie players did not trust the plays, Coach Mike Sherman told a news conference this week. Sherman said he saw doubts in the eyes of the players during the disastrous second half in which the Arkansas State team came from behind to win.

Sherman has had a spring and summer camp working with these players. He has not gained their confidence or gotten them to buy into his scheme. He faces a formidable task to get into the players heads with a game against the rejuvenated University of Miami team coming in two weeks.

More doubts surround Sherman running backs. Massive over-weight fullback Jorvorskie Lane played in only two plays. He was not available when the Aggies were second down and goal on the two. His backup Anthony Vela did carry the ball or receive a pass.

Tailback Mike Goodson had a good first half. He finished with 124 yards rushing, mostly in the first half. Goodson coughed up an untimely fumble in the second half.

Quarterback Stephen McGee passed for 170 yards, but he had 2 interceptions and was sacked four times.

More doubts concern the Aggie receivers. Backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill led the receivers with 5 catches for 60 yards. QB Jerrod Johnson had 1 catch for 36 yards. Goodson caught six passes for 30 yards.

The Aggies’s offense ranks No. 65 among major colleges. The Aggie defense ranks 84 th.. The offensive line ranks No. 94 in sacks allowed.

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One bright spot last week was the 16 tackles made by middle linebacker Matt Featherston. He ranks No. 1 in the Big 12.

Both coaches have replaced Dennis Franchione, who was at UNM from 1992 to 1997. The Aggies are 5-1 against Mountain West teams. This will be the second meeting between UNM and TAMU. Legendary Aggie Coach D.X. Bible beat the Lobos in 1926, 63-0.

The Aggies will be trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 1996 when it lost to Brigham Young and Southwest Louisiana. They went 6-6 that year.

The biggest hole the Aggies must crawl out is the perception of being a big loser. ESPN was so unimpressed with the Aggies, it placed them No. 4 in the Bottom 10 among major colleges.

The game will start at 4 p.m. CDT. It will be broadcast on the Versus TV network. Sirius Satellite radio will carry the game on channel 127.

By Jay Goode
Big 12 Fans Texas A&M Correspondent

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