Aggie fans, you out there?

[BESCo91A&M]

Gotcha ....

Frankly, 90% of A&M fans were scared sh-tless prior to the season about our OL.
Thus far, they have over-performed & exceeded expectations.
Knight pulling the ball on the zone read & option has been very effective this year.
I've seen Dobbs run that to perfection as well.

 

[Vol_in_NC_1999]

I will say that my favorite local BBQ is Judge Bean's in Brentwood, which is a Texas style place.

I moved back to TN (grew up in Knoxville) from Raleigh, NC after living there 15 years. I will say the East NC barbeque is to die for. It's a matter of personal preference which is better so it's all about what you like. I will say I literally work 5 minutes from Judge Beans and their bbq is fantastic!

I worked in Dallas and Houston for a bit and their food and people are great as well. Looking forward to a great game between two great teams with incredible traditions and fan bases! :hi:

 

[Air_Force_Vol27]

I have always rooted for the Vols ..... just have for many years.
I can tell you that Aggies are nervous about this game too!
I think the two teams are very similar.
Both need (require) their QB to be a difference with his legs.

I believe it will come down too if Tennessee can play 4 quarters or not and if we don't the Aggies are a team we can't afford to let jump ahead.

 

[SingleMaltAggie]

FYI, for those of you coming, Gameday will be in Spence Park, where a large swatch of tailgating is located.

 

[Lester Freamon]

Yall's weakness on defense, before the season, was stopping the run. While Chavis has improved that area slightly, I feel like Dobbs, Hurd, and Kamara could churn out a lot of yards on the ground in this one, and that would allow UT to control the clock on the road, which would be huge. Question. Are all four of Garrett, Noil, Seals-Jones, and the big tackle who were out verse USCe, expected to play against UT?

To answer your question about injuries, I think all four play. Garrett finished the game against Arky and from all accounts could have gone this week. Noil and Jermaine Elumenor seem to both have been in concussion protocol this week and should be good to go Saturday. Good chance RSJ suits up but is somewhere around 75% and heavily taped/braced. I'm most worried about Garrett being 100% as well as any lingering bumps from USCe (Trayveon was limping a little towards the end and Keith Ford didnt carry the ball after the first half IIRC).

The depth at DT has really proven its worth this year. This is the first time we've been able to roll 5 deep at DT with mature 4-5* level players (thank God for Sumlin's recruiting). Also, the LB corps is ages better in their second year in Chavis' system. Seems like we still really miss our run fills at least 1x per game and get gashed with a big run (see RWIII's 60+ yarder when we played Arky and Turner getting loose for 75 last week against USCe). Claude George is a 2 to play 2 JUCO transfer who, in his senior year, has really come along and plays like a thumper in the middle. As mentioned above, having Alaka fully healthy for the first time since he's been on campus has been huge and Shaan Washington has come out of nowhere as a senior to really lead this unit from the SAM position. The Pro Football Focus (PFF) guy that scores A&M games has had Shaan as one of his top 5 LB's to this point in the season.

As for how we match up with y'all, I don't know enough about Butch Jones' system to make any sort of educated guess here. I am certain that your backfield of Hurd/Kamara is the most talented RB we have faced since Fournette/Guice last November. Will be interested to see how our front 7 fares against your big uglies and those two. If you can get a push on 1st and 2nd down it can keep Dobbs from being under too much heat to make plays early. Where our guys have excelled this year is when we can stymie teams and put them in 2nd/3rd and long and force the pass. The center field duo of Evans and Watts are incredibly disruptive and it also gives Myles and Daeshon a chance to do what they do best.

I will reiterate a lot of the points earlier on in the thread in that our corners are by far our weakest link and you have some great threats at WR. Conversely, I'm hoping that Reynolds/Kirk can get free on your secondary. I'm expecting RSJ be limited and Speedy, while explosive, is a major disappointment to this point in his career. Trevor is Trevor. He always seems to make plays that leave you shaking your head, sometimes in a bad way, sometimes in a good way. He has been that player since his soph year at OU and this isn't changing. 99% of A&M football fans appreciate him for the great leader and above average talent he is, as well as for the stability and chemistry he has brought to the locker room, but don't necessarily expect him to put the team on his back and win games for us.

Lastly, just wanted to say thanks for having me on the board. I actually came over here to see if there was any injury updates on Reeves-Maybin, Kirkland and potentially Hurd. Saw plenty of rational conversation happening, made my way to this thread and felt compelled to offer my two cents and welcome all y'all who have the opportunity to attend the game to Texas A&M. As has been mentioned already, do not hesitate to stop by any tailgates, introduce yourself and have a beer or three. No such thing as a stranger in College Station (unless you're wearing the baby crap orange of the fake UT). Fanbases like y'all are one of the reasons why we were so pumped to join the SEC.

 

[Vol_in_NC_1999]

It is pointless to argue with Tx folks about BBQ. I don't like the TX style sauce and I prefer pork to beef but them are fightin words down here.

Brisket can be good too so, if you get the chance, everyone should try it. One thing most will have at a proper tailgate though is some damn good red beans.

Of course it's pointless. The TX and NC bbq are completely different styles. It's like asking would you rather have steak or lasagna? They're that different to me but I love both styles. Just depends what I'm in the mood for.

 

[BESCo91A&M]

Is Reeves-Maybin available for y'all on Saturday?
Kid is helluva linebacker.

What about Cameron Sutton?

 

[malinoisvol]

Thanks, TAMU, for the General.

 

[vtvol98]

To answer your question about injuries, I think all four play. Garrett finished the game against Arky and from all accounts could have gone this week. Noil and Jermaine Elumenor seem to both have been in concussion protocol this week and should be good to go Saturday. Good chance RSJ suits up but is somewhere around 75% and heavily taped/braced. I'm most worried about Garrett being 100% as well as any lingering bumps from USCe (Trayveon was limping a little towards the end and Keith Ford didnt carry the ball after the first half IIRC).

The depth at DT has really proven its worth this year. This is the first time we've been able to roll 5 deep at DT with mature 4-5* level players (thank God for Sumlin's recruiting). Also, the LB corps is ages better in their second year in Chavis' system. Seems like we still really miss our run fills at least 1x per game and get gashed with a big run (see RWIII's 60+ yarder when we played Arky and Turner getting loose for 75 last week against USCe). Claude George is a 2 to play 2 JUCO transfer who, in his senior year, has really come along and plays like a thumper in the middle. As mentioned above, having Alaka fully healthy for the first time since he's been on campus has been huge and Shaan Washington has come out of nowhere as a senior to really lead this unit from the SAM position. The Pro Football Focus (PFF) guy that scores A&M games has had Shaan as one of his top 5 LB's to this point in the season.

As for how we match up with y'all, I don't know enough about Butch Jones' system to make any sort of educated guess here. I am certain that your backfield of Hurd/Kamara is the most talented RB we have faced since Fournette/Guice last November. Will be interested to see how our front 7 fares against your big uglies and those two. If you can get a push on 1st and 2nd down it can keep Dobbs from being under too much heat to make plays early. Where our guys have excelled this year is when we can stymie teams and put them in 2nd/3rd and long and force the pass. The center field duo of Evans and Watts are incredibly disruptive and it also gives Myles and Daeshon a chance to do what they do best.

I will reiterate a lot of the points earlier on in the thread in that our corners are by far our weakest link and you have some great threats at WR. Conversely, I'm hoping that Reynolds/Kirk can get free on your secondary. I'm expecting RSJ be limited and Speedy, while explosive, is a major disappointment to this point in his career. Trevor is Trevor. He always seems to make plays that leave you shaking your head, sometimes in a bad way, sometimes in a good way. He has been that player since his soph year at OU and this isn't changing. 99% of A&M football fans appreciate him for the great leader and above average talent he is, as well as for the stability and chemistry he has brought to the locker room, but don't necessarily expect him to put the team on his back and win games for us.

Lastly, just wanted to say thanks for having me on the board. I actually came over here to see if there was any injury updates on Reeves-Maybin, Kirkland and potentially Hurd. Saw plenty of rational conversation happening, made my way to this thread and felt compelled to offer my two cents and welcome all y'all who have the opportunity to attend the game to Texas A&M. As has been mentioned already, do not hesitate to stop by any tailgates, introduce yourself and have a beer or three. No such thing as a stranger in College Station (unless you're wearing the baby crap orange of the fake UT). Fanbases like y'all are one of the reasons why we were so pumped to join the SEC.

Very informative thread. Thanks for the info. Welcome to the board.

 

[VolStrom]

It is pointless to argue with Tx folks about BBQ. I don't like the TX style sauce and I prefer pork to beef but them are fightin words down here.

Brisket can be good too so, if you get the chance, everyone should try it. One thing most will have at a proper tailgate though is some damn good red beans.

Yuk, that's as nasty as that stuff they eat in Louisiana.

 

[vtvol98]

Is Reeves-Maybin available for y'all on Saturday?
Kid is helluva linebacker.

What about Cameron Sutton?

Sutton, JRM, and Darrin Kirkland are all out for this game.

 

[VolTx]

It is pointless to argue with Tx folks about BBQ. I don't like the TX style sauce and I prefer pork to beef but them are fightin words down here.

Brisket can be good too so, if you get the chance, everyone should try it. One thing most will have at a proper tailgate though is some damn good red beans.

I lived my first 22 years in Tennessee
I've lived my past 27 years in Texas

Tennessee pork bbq wins hands down.
After trying it for the first time, my native Texan wife agreed as well

 

[vtvol98]

Eastern NC BBQ rocks!

 

[BESCo91A&M]

Oh ..... I should have said much earlier ..... this will be A&M's toughest opponent thus far, by quite a bit, IMO.

The Vols have many playmakers all over the field, and it's obvious that they play excellent team ball.

Who knows ..... 4 quarter slugfest with someone winning by 3-7 pts.

 

[RieBee]

The thing Im most worried about is if we do in fact get ahead in the first half, we have a tendency to let up and play conservatively to keep the lead, instead of trying to extend it further. Tennessee has proven this year to make great halftime adjustments and to come back to win their games..

 

[txbo]

Eastern NC BBQ rocks!

Yea, i love the vinegar based pulled pork served w/ hush puppies.

 

[bmaultbay]

Oh ..... I should have said much earlier ..... this will be A&M's toughest opponent thus far, by quite a bit, IMO.

The Vols have many playmakers all over the field, and it's obvious that they play excellent team ball.

Who knows ..... 4 quarter slugfest with someone winning by 3-7 pts.

Same for UT. The Florida monkey was nice to shake and I am hoping for a 4 qtr slugfest as well. Can't play half a game against the likes of A&M and Bama. However, if the half they do play is like the 2nd half of the FL game...

 

[txbo]

I lived my first 22 years in Tennessee
I've lived my past 27 years in Texas

Tennessee pork bbq wins hands down.
After trying it for the first time, my native Texan wife agreed as well

I smoke my TN style pork butts using native TX pecan wood.

It's heaven my hillbilly friends.

 

[Pacer92]

Oh ..... I should have said much earlier ..... this will be A&M's toughest opponent thus far, by quite a bit, IMO.

The Vols have many playmakers all over the field, and it's obvious that they play excellent team ball.

Who knows ..... 4 quarter slugfest with someone winning by 3-7 pts.

Haven't read much of this thread and sorry if this has been asked...how are your special teams, in your opinion?

 

[BeecherVol]

Is Reeves-Maybin available for y'all on Saturday?
Kid is helluva linebacker.

What about Cameron Sutton?

Maybin is questionable to doubtful.
Sutton is out.

 

[Lester Freamon]

Haven't read much of this thread and sorry if this has been asked...how are your special teams, in your opinion?

Special teams are good, but not great.

LaCamera and Tripucka (P & PK duo) are both in their first year of duty. Lacamera has been nails this year. Missed once early on against UCLA in his first game as a fish from about 40. Since then, he's missed once all year. He actually was 5/5 with a long of 46 in Auburn and was the difference in that game.

Tripucka has been solid but not great. Think he's averaging somewhere between 40-45 this year in punt yardage. We have been spoiled the last few years with Drew Kaser who consistently went 50+ and is punting for San Diego in the league now.

Kick returns have been nothing to write home about this year. Christian Kirk hasn't made an appearance at KR yet and he's the single most dangerous guy with the ball in his hand on our team. We usually trot out 2 of Speedy/Keith Ford/James White/Justin Evans and they haven't been anything special.

PR has been very frustrating. Kirk averaged about 25 per last year including housing punts against AZ St and Bama, then teams quit kicking to him. He would have led the nation in return average IIRC if he would have had something like 5 more returnable punts. This year has been more of the same. He's returned a handful but has not had a chance to break one off. If you want to have a bad time, you can start with punting to Kirk.

Our kick and punt coverage units have been absolutely excellent since Sumlin has been here, and especially over the last three years under the tutelage of Jeff Banks. He is one of our best recruiters and an absolute monster of an ST coach. I consider myself a very very serious A&M football fan and can't remember the last time someone got loose on a PR/KR against us. Maybe Guice last year for 30-40 yards, but besides that I'm pretty sure no one has. This year, we've hardly had any kicks returned because true fish Braden Mann (kickoff specialist) has booted the majority of kicks out of the EZ.

 

[Pacer92]

Special teams are good, but not great.

LaCamera and Tripucka (P & PK duo) are both in their first year of duty. Lacamera has been nails this year. Missed once early on against UCLA in his first game as a fish from about 40. Since then, he's missed once all year. He actually was 5/5 with a long of 46 in Auburn and was the difference in that game.

Tripucka has been solid but not great. Think he's averaging somewhere between 40-45 this year in punt yardage. We have been spoiled the last few years with Drew Kaser who consistently went 50+ and is punting for San Diego in the league now.

Kick returns have been nothing to write home about this year. Christian Kirk hasn't made an appearance at KR yet and he's the single most dangerous guy with the ball in his hand on our team. We usually trot out 2 of Speedy/Keith Ford/James White/Justin Evans and they haven't been anything special.

PR has been very frustrating. Kirk averaged about 25 per last year including housing punts against AZ St and Bama, then teams quit kicking to him. He would have led the nation in return average IIRC if he would have had something like 5 more returnable punts. This year has been more of the same. He's returned a handful but has not had a chance to break one off. If you want to have a bad time, you can start with punting to Kirk.

Our kick and punt coverage units have been absolutely excellent since Sumlin has been here, and especially over the last three years under the tutelage of Jeff Banks. He is one of our best recruiters and an absolute monster of an ST coach. I consider myself a very very serious A&M football fan and can't remember the last time someone got loose on a PR/KR against us. Maybe Guice last year for 30-40 yards, but besides that I'm pretty sure no one has. This year, we've hardly had any kicks returned because true fish Braden Mann (kickoff specialist) has booted the majority of kicks out of the EZ.

Thanks for the info..:hi:

 

[Forever151]

Special teams are good, but not great.

LaCamera and Tripucka (P & PK duo) are both in their first year of duty. Lacamera has been nails this year. Missed once early on against UCLA in his first game as a fish from about 40. Since then, he's missed once all year. He actually was 5/5 with a long of 46 in Auburn and was the difference in that game.

Tripucka has been solid but not great. Think he's averaging somewhere between 40-45 this year in punt yardage. We have been spoiled the last few years with Drew Kaser who consistently went 50+ and is punting for San Diego in the league now.

Kick returns have been nothing to write home about this year. Christian Kirk hasn't made an appearance at KR yet and he's the single most dangerous guy with the ball in his hand on our team. We usually trot out 2 of Speedy/Keith Ford/James White/Justin Evans and they haven't been anything special.

PR has been very frustrating. Kirk averaged about 25 per last year including housing punts against AZ St and Bama, then teams quit kicking to him. He would have led the nation in return average IIRC if he would have had something like 5 more returnable punts. This year has been more of the same. He's returned a handful but has not had a chance to break one off. If you want to have a bad time, you can start with punting to Kirk.

Our kick and punt coverage units have been absolutely excellent since Sumlin has been here, and especially over the last three years under the tutelage of Jeff Banks. He is one of our best recruiters and an absolute monster of an ST coach. I consider myself a very very serious A&M football fan and can't remember the last time someone got loose on a PR/KR against us. Maybe Guice last year for 30-40 yards, but besides that I'm pretty sure no one has. This year, we've hardly had any kicks returned because true fish Braden Mann (kickoff specialist) has booted the majority of kicks out of the EZ.

Kick it to Evan Berry . He is really slow and has no field vision . Worst kick returner in the SEC

 

[LittleVol]

We will have our own smoked brisket, red beans, potato salad, bacon mac n cheese and this is our annual moonshine tailgate.

I'm finishing a batch of apple pie and may do a lightning batch of peach or cherry.

You throwin down man lol!

Dang that sounds good.

All of it!

 

[LittleVol]

The thing Im most worried about is if we do in fact get ahead in the first half, we have a tendency to let up and play conservatively to keep the lead, instead of trying to extend it further. Tennessee has proven this year to make great halftime adjustments and to come back to win their games..

Throw each teams tendencies out the window for this matchup.

Theyre both gonna go all out for this game.

This is a championship type game.