No. 24 Tennessee | Top 25
No. 25: Texas A&M
Last Season: 8-5 (3-5 SEC West)
Aggies expect big improvement on defense
John Chavis isn't one to do a lot of grinning. A stone-faced, mustache-lined scowl has become the trademark of the man they call Chief during his two decades as an SEC defensive coordinator, first at Tennessee and most recently at LSU. But there has been a noticeable pep in his 58-year-old step since moving to College Station over the winter. Why? Because it has been a looong time since he has gotten the kind of scoreboard titling help he should be receiving from Kevin Sumlin's offense, led by wunderkind QB Kyle Allen and backed by a running game that has been revamped by former Wyoming head coach/Utah offensive coordinator Dave Christensen. "We know we have talent on defense," said Sumlin, looking to curb a three-year downward trending 11/9/8-win total. "If there's anyone in the nation who can spark that talent, it's John Chavis."-- Ryan McGee
After the Aggies reached No. 6 in the nation at 5-0 last year, the wheels fell off their bandwagon. A&M finished 8-5-no cause for shame but a disappointment after that start. This year A&M returns 16 starters, led by QB Kyle Allen (16 pass TDs last year) and perhaps the SEC's best WR group, including Josh Reynolds (842 yards). Decorated D-coordinator John Chavis comes aboard from LSU to lead a unit replete with raw talent; there is cause for optimism in College Station.
Texas A&M's chances to win each game
09.05 vs. Arizona State: 65.4%
09.12 vs. Ball State: 95.1%
09.19 vs. Nevada: 97.6%
09.26 vs. Arkansas: 51.6%
10.03 vs. Mississippi State: 79.6%
10.17 vs. Alabama: 51.7%
10.24 @ Ole Miss: 42.9%
10.31 vs. South Carolina: 84%
11.07 vs. Auburn: 67.2%
11.14 vs. Western Carolina: 99.9%
11.21 @ Vanderbilt: 80.9%
11.28 @ LSU 38.2%*
*BROCK HUARD, ESPN analyst: Kevin Sumlin is 0-3 in this matchup, and unfortunately for him, his team is tangling with an even better LSU squad this year.
SHARON KATZ, ESPN Stats & Info: If the Aggies' D can pull closer to the level of its offense, ranked first in the SEC, this game becomes far less of a long shot.
We know the offense -- regardless of who's behind center -- will be one of the SEC's best, but with so many questions still looming on defense, the Aggies are in for an 8-4 season. -- Edward Aschoff
The brutal reality in the SEC West is that while every team is talented, somebody has to lose -- and although Kevin Sumlin's team will still reach the postseason, 6-6 is a possibility as the Aggies replenish their defensive depth chart and new coordinator John Chavis works to plug holes in a leaky defense. -- David Ching
A season-opening win over Arizona State sets the tone for another fast start; an improved defense under John Chavis coupled with a high-scoring offense and favorable schedule helps the Aggies avoid falling completely flat midseason and finish 9-3. --Sam Khan Jr.
How much better will Texas A&M's defense be? We'll find out Week 1 (vs. Arizona State), but steady improvement from that unit and the Aggies can go 9-3. -- Greg Ostendorf
The defense will be only marginally better, but that will be enough for the Aggies' high-flying offense to come out on the better end of shootouts and surprise everyone by finishing 9-3. -- Alex Scarborough