After an impressive defeat of the Gamecocks, Texas A&M plays its first "nothing game" of the 2014 season this Saturday. That's "nothing" as in "nothing to be gained by playing it."
If the Aggies win by 70 points, they're running up the score on a cupcake. If they win by 40, they've met minimum expectations, but if they win by less than 40, they haven't met them. If they lose, it pretty much kills the season as far as national prestige is concerned.
Then, there's always the chance that one or more key A&M players will sustain serious injuries.
Ideally, A&M will be ahead by five TDs at halftime, and Sumlin will turn the game over to his backups in the second half. The second-teamers get valuable experience, and everyone is healthy when the game ends. When the opponent is Lamar, that's good enough.
Added 3:50 PM on 5 September: As of Friday morning, the point spread is Lamar plus 49. The Aggies will need to win by 50 points, not 40, to meet minimum expectations. Bleacher Report predicts the Aggies will cover (70-10), and Rant Sports predicts a push (62-13).
Added 8:12 PM on 6 September: The game is being delayed due to lightning (no rain). No idea when or if the game against Lamar will be played. Fucking Texas weather.
Added 10:29 PM on 6 September: The game finally started about 8:45 and the Aggies are ahead 31-3 at the half. The Aggies have been a little more ragged than I hoped, with some sloppy play ending potential opportunities. Kyle Allen got into the game late in the 2nd quarter. His single possession ended with an interception. If he plays the entire second half, the Aggies may have a hard time covering the spread.
On the radio, they just announced this score: Brigham Young 41 Texas 7. Dem longhorns be comin' on strong.
Added 12:19 AM Sunday: I thought the game would never end. The Aggies won 73-3, in spite of the sloppy play in the second and third quarters. Kyle Allen showed more in the second half, but Kenny Hill played long enough in the 3rd quarter to pad the lead by two touchdowns. The defense looked formidable. The best part is, I'm pretty sure nobody got hurt.
If the Aggies win by 70 points, they're running up the score on a cupcake. If they win by 40, they've met minimum expectations, but if they win by less than 40, they haven't met them. If they lose, it pretty much kills the season as far as national prestige is concerned.
Then, there's always the chance that one or more key A&M players will sustain serious injuries.
Ideally, A&M will be ahead by five TDs at halftime, and Sumlin will turn the game over to his backups in the second half. The second-teamers get valuable experience, and everyone is healthy when the game ends. When the opponent is Lamar, that's good enough.
Added 3:50 PM on 5 September: As of Friday morning, the point spread is Lamar plus 49. The Aggies will need to win by 50 points, not 40, to meet minimum expectations. Bleacher Report predicts the Aggies will cover (70-10), and Rant Sports predicts a push (62-13).
Added 8:12 PM on 6 September: The game is being delayed due to lightning (no rain). No idea when or if the game against Lamar will be played. Fucking Texas weather.
Added 10:29 PM on 6 September: The game finally started about 8:45 and the Aggies are ahead 31-3 at the half. The Aggies have been a little more ragged than I hoped, with some sloppy play ending potential opportunities. Kyle Allen got into the game late in the 2nd quarter. His single possession ended with an interception. If he plays the entire second half, the Aggies may have a hard time covering the spread.
On the radio, they just announced this score: Brigham Young 41 Texas 7. Dem longhorns be comin' on strong.
Added 12:19 AM Sunday: I thought the game would never end. The Aggies won 73-3, in spite of the sloppy play in the second and third quarters. Kyle Allen showed more in the second half, but Kenny Hill played long enough in the 3rd quarter to pad the lead by two touchdowns. The defense looked formidable. The best part is, I'm pretty sure nobody got hurt.
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