Originally Posted by AggieSigmaNu361
Ok, I had a nice long researched reply that I clicked submit too that was lost to stupid internet issues, so here we go.
A&M is one of the top 5 largest universities in the nation, in arguably the most talent rich state in the country, with top notch facilities and fan support, and more Alumni Donation $$ than the University of Texas.
A&M has a stunted history because for the first 90 years of our existence we were an all-men's military school. When Corps membership became voluntary and the school became CoEd in the 70's, we finally began to take our place as one of the two Flagship institutions in the state of Texas. Since the 70's our record vs. Texas has been pretty much equal, indicating that the dominance of Texas over us in the overall record has more to do with us being a school more complimentary to West Point or the Citadel from the 1940's til the 1970's (coincidentally the last glory years of Texas football prior to Mack Brown). We were the better program from the mid-80's til 2000.
In Fran's four years, the Ags are 25-22 overall with a 15-17 conference record. His tenure has seen our first losing season (03) since 1982, our most losses in a season (8) since 1972, our worst ever loss (OU '03), and our worst ever bowl loss (Cotton '05, Tenn). We have never finished a season under Fran ranked in the top 25. Fran, additionally, is 2-10 vs. Tech, OU and Texas.
His predecessor, RC Slocum was 124-47-2 in 14 seasons, with 11 bowl games, 10 seasons ranked in the final top 25 and 3 rankings in the top 10, a 7-7 record vs. UT (which, in my opinion is where we should be, equal), and a Big XII title.
What do I honestly expect year in and year out? To compete as an equal with Texas and Oklahoma for Big XII south titles annually, winning a Big XII title every 3-5 years, finishing with no worse than 3-4 losses with those losses coming from the likes of Texas, OU, or NU and occasionally one out in Lubbock because that place is a black hole of Aggie Athletics. Why do I expect this? Because of the quality of our facilities, the donations of our Alumni and the talent pool that exists in the state of Texas.
Fran went 5-3 in conference last season, with all 3 losses coming at home. To me that is unacceptable. We outplayed all 3 of those teams, Tech, NU, and OU and I personally believe that those losses are attributible to some questionable game planning and play calling from Franchione.
This is his 5th season and when I say that win in Austin may have bought him some time I mean this. That is the first big road win in his tenure. Prior to that we would go on the road and look completely lost (Norman and Lubbock in '03). I expect us now to be competitive and maybe even steal a couple games on the road, which is where we will be a lot this season, with games in Lincoln, Lubbock, Norman and Miami(Fl.). An 0-fer in those games or bad showings will HOPEFULLY signal the end of the Franchione era.
Kitso
KS 361
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