I am still amazed at the stats in ND/Alabama game. If the only information you had was the box score you would think it must have been a close game. Instead it was the opposite, outcome never in doubt.
I'm shocked Don, UNC was short players just like Florida was and A&M was at or close to full strength. Not to mention that they had a lot of motivation to show that they belonged in the CFP. I thought for sure that they would beat them by 3 or 4 TD'S. They may still win of course.
A&M took control at the end but unexpectedly good game. I thought they were going to rout Carolina but called that one wrong.
Another great run by the young back, pretty much wraps it up for the Aggies. Not exactly the statement win expected. I really thought it was going to be like Florida /OU. 41 - 27 still a good win.
UNC was down a lot of talent, but we were playing two true freshman corners, our best (Miles Jones) was out with a foot injury and best Defensive end Michael Clemons was injured as well. Not a great recipe for preventing the big play, and Howell made us pay. Also... I have #9 on my back line. He can make a great play, then look like a total bone head the next. He was true to form tonight... If you see a WR running wide open... #9 is usually going over to get "instruction" from the coaches. I just wanted to win... don't care for any statements. Take the W, that's what will be remembered.
Congratulations on the win Scott, I did not think your Aggies were going to through until late in the 4th quarter.
I have been tough on Brian Kelly in the past; deservedly so early on when sideline meltdowns were on weekly display. I still think he has a tendency to swing momentum to his opponent by ill timed and needless play selection but that has largely subsided as well. What can you say about a coach who wins ten games per year but can never close the deal? That he is simply outgunned. He is like Crockett at the Alamo. He has two players that we are aware of that appear to be top shelf, could play for anyone type players; Michael Mayer and Kyle Hamilton. The rest are very good players but no game changers. When you get down to the wire that is simply not enough. Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson are loaded with 5 star, NFL bound talent. They will be next year as well and into the foreseeable future. The rest of college football, the 127 other teams in the FBS are competing for that fourth slot and the likely fate of being the first team out.
George... baby steps my man, baby steps. You guys have gotten to the table... you just need to keep adding pieces. Clemson is the best example - they weren't born where they are. They built it over time. Nothing lasts forever... even tho it may seem like it with Bama (kp rolls eyes). New teams will rotate in as they build up. I see a lot of talent being collected by my own team. It wasn't enough this year. Will it be soon? I have hope, which is why we keep coming back. (BTW... that kid who scored our last two touchdowns was only a 4 star. Seems like a game changer to me!)
Again, Mac Jones was a 3 Star recruit. Having said that, I think Notre Dame had everything they needed this year except for wide receivers. Their tight ends are very good but they will not score a 60 yd strike multiple times a game. That is what seems to be standard equipment for the other top teams in the last couple of years.
If one is looking for a team to jump up into the Ala, Clem, and OSU elite team club, A&M is a solid candidate. Jimbo already has a NC to his credit and A&M is located in fertile recruiting ground and has the financial resources and administrative intent to compete with the big boys. In looking at coaching hires the past few years, A&M’s hiring of Fischer seems to reflect well on those who oversee the football program as although they spent big money to get the coach they wanted, that coach does have a track record of success at the highest level. Hiring a head coach is always a gamble but in this case it looks like A&M was pretty shrewd in their calculations. One potential danger though is the possibility that Nick Saban is a vampire and will coach Bama for 1000 years