There aren't many interesting games on the tube this afternoon, although I'll probably watch the second half of LSU vs. Georgia later. Tonight the Aggies make their season TV debut on one of the ESPN channels -- it'll be my first chance to see them in widescreen HD. I haven't seen an A&M game on the tube in a long time; I got fed up with their inexcusable incompetence early in Franchione's final season as head coach and stopped watching. Last year, the team got off to a horrible start under Sherman (August 30th, lost 18-14 to Arkansas State), and I swore off televised football altogether for all intents and purposes.
TAMU has jumped out to a 3-0 record, but anything less would have been unacceptable considering who they were playing. Arkansas will be a whole different level of ballgame from what Aggies are accustomed to in 2009, so I'll watch to see for myself if they're up to the challenge. It's been so long since I saw a competitive A&M game against a good opponent that I can't remember what one looks like. The upset of Texas in 2007 would have counted, but I didn't see it.
The last time I watched A&M play football, they were routinely self-destructing with penalties, turnovers, and missed field goals. If they haven't shaken those tendencies, it'll be a short night and I'll be switching channels to see what else is on. With luck, they'll play enough good football to keep me watching.
Added 6:22 pm, same day: Well, I'm not off to a good start. Based on my formula, I was pulling for Georgia to knock off LSU, and when they scored with under two minutes left, I thought I was gonna win one. But the Bulldogs were penalized for excessive celebration, a lucky break for LSU, who took advantage and got a TD to win 20-13. I don't have any use for LSU, dating back to when they were a regular non-conference opponent for TAMU, so I was sorry to see 'em win today. The bad omen is that Arkansas is another traditional A&M rival from the SWC years. It'll be tough if LSU and the hogs both finish the day as winners.
Added 7:48 pm: Aggie luck. Trailing 14-10 mid-second quarter, Aggies punt, then recover a muff inside the Arkansas 20. Ready to regain the lead at 17-14, the A&M quarterback is sacked and fumbles. A hog picks up the loose ball and rumbles 85 yards for a TD. On a fumble return. What looked like 17-14 Aggies ends up 21-10 Arkansas. Aggie luck. Ugh.
Added 8:26 pm: The wheels came completely off. Arkansas added a FG and another TD (missed the PAT) and leads at halftime, 30-10. That's 30 unanswered points, as the play-by-play man kept reminding me. Aggies spent three weeks filling up on creampuffs and cupcakes, and tonight they look like they can't wait to go to the bathroom. I've seen this movie too many times before.
Added 11:00 pm: Final score 47-19. Reality check ? Looking at the bright side, A&M was only outscored 17-9 after halftime.
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