Introduction to Texas College Football
On the scale of signature Texas A&M wins, the Aggies’ wildly entertaining 41-40 upset of Notre Dame in front of Touchdown Jesus and everyone doesn’t carry the same weight as Johnny Football’s come-to-Jesus moment in Tuscaloosa in 2012. But the message is the same.
The Aggies look ready to do a little world-shaking.
Marcel Reed is no Johnny Manziel, but he’s got a little magic in him, and Mario Craver and KC Concepcion pair up for a nice Mike Evans impression.
Add the power running of Le’Veon Moss, and the Aggies’ balanced offense is their best since Johnny ran rings around Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
Just two caveats: First, the Aggies haven’t even played an SEC game yet, and second, they started league play 5-0 in Mike Elko’s debut before finishing 5-3. So their staying power still remains in question.
But at least they’ve avenged last year’s loss to the Fighting Irish at Kyle Field. They’ve got a few things to clean up — 13 penalties for 86 yards, including two in the red zone on the winning drive, and Reed’s accuracy must improve — but they proved they had the resolve to overcome their self-inflicted wounds in a tough environment.
Best news of the night: After the game, Elko said “all signs are positive” for Bryce Anderson, the senior safety from Beaumont, who suffered a head or neck injury late in the first half. He flashed a thumbs-up sign to fans as he was carted off the field.
Texas College Football Rankings
In other Best in Texas news, Arch Manning is proving Steve Sarkisian was right to keep Quinn Ewers at quarterback last year, the Iron Skillet heats up for the last time this week, and Joey McGuire has to wonder if God likes his Red Raiders as much as we do after his second lightning delay in three games.
1. Texas A&M (3-0)
Are Craver and Concepcion the best pair of receivers in the state?
Last game: 41-40 win over Notre Dame.
Next game: Auburn on Sept. 27.
2. Texas (2-1)
Clearly it’s been too early for Arch Madness, begging the question: Is this ranking too high?
Last game: 27-10 win over UTEP.
Next game: Sam Houston on Saturday.
3. Texas Tech (3-0)
Behren Morton gaining on Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson for best QB in Texas after throwing four TDs.
Last game: 45-14 win over Oregon State.
Next game: at Utah on Saturday.
4. Baylor (2-1)
Dave Aranda on his players putting on a “bear coat” after a takeaway: “That just doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Last game: 42-7 win over Samford.
Next game: Arizona State on Saturday.
5. TCU (2-0)
Frogs give Sonny Dykes his 100th career win; can they give him the Iron Skillet for keeps?
Last game: 42-21 win over Abilene Christian.
Next: SMU on Saturday.
6. Houston (3-0)
Willie Fritz’s 3-0 start had Deion Sanders complaining about “getting our butts kicked.”
Last game: 36-20 win over Colorado.
Next game: at Oregon State on Sept. 26.
7. SMU (2-1)
Was the sluggish win a hangover from Baylor loss, or a sign of something worse?
Last game: 28-10 win over Missouri State.
Next game: at TCU on Saturday.
8. UNT (3-0)
Think the Mean Green was mad about not getting a Pac-12 invite?
Last game: 59-10 win over Washington State.
Next game: at Army on Saturday.
9. Texas State (2-1)
Good thing they’re going to the Pac-12 and not Big 12.
Last game: 34-15 loss to Arizona State.
Next game: Nicholls on Saturday.
10. UTSA (1-2)
Roadrunners take care of business with crosstown rival, remember the Alamo only vaguely.
Last game: 48-20 win over Incarnate Word.
Next game: at Colorado State on Saturday.
11. UTEP (1-2)
The Miners get points for making Texas look bad in the process of winning.
Last game: 27-10 loss to Texas.
Next game: Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.
12. Rice (2-1)
Now that the Owls are soaring, can they avoid Charlotte’s web?
Last game: 38-17 win over Prairie View A&M.
Next game: at Charlotte on Thursday.
13. Sam Houston (0-3)
Texas’ last public sacrifice before the Longhorns hit the SEC.
Last game: idle.
Next game: at Texas on Saturday.
