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Head Coach Mike Sherman has made it clear that Mike Goodson and the running attack will carry the load in the fall, but there are other questions to be answered. Battalion columnist Mike Teague answers some of the lingering questions.

New faces, same questions

Franchione is out, Sherman is in. With new coaches and new expectations, columnist Mike Teague reports what they're looking for in 2008

By: Mike Teague

Posted: 7/2/08

Recruiting and the offensive line are vital to the Texas A&M football team, says Mike Teague, whose take on the team focuses on Aggie personnel. Teague says the backfield, secondary and 12th Man must perform well to have a successful season.

In just a few short months, the Mike Sherman era will officially begin at Texas A&M. Aggie nation is full of excitement and anticipation as it waits for Arkansas State to come to town. Every one of them is wondering the same the thing: "How will Sherman do?"

"Whenever you make a change, people get excited because they weren't having as much fun and success as we had previously," said Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne, who said he is among the excited Aggies.

Coach Sherman returns to Aggieland after spending the previous 11 seasons in the NFL. The Aggies enjoyed success while Sherman served as offensive line coach from 1989-93 and 1995-96 including three straight Southwest Conference titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

One of the factors in hiring Sherman was his work experience at A&M and within the Lone Star State. Byrne said he knows the importance of recruiting Texas well.

"We start by recruiting within the state of Texas." Byrne said. "That's our home, that's what we're going to defend, that's where a lion's share of our athletes are going to come from. It's essential that all the coaches we bring here have ties to the state of Texas and coach Sherman certainly had that."

Sherman's expertise with the offensive line was also an attraction in hiring him. The performance of A&M's offensive line may be the determining factor in how much success the Aggies have this season.

"Winning and losing games starts up front," Byrne said. Sherman inherits an inexperienced group that will miss center Cody Wallace and tackle Corey Clark, both drafted into the NFL this summer.

The Aggies struggled desperately a year ago with their pass attack. Led by quarterback Stephen McGee, A&M averaged 185.4 yards passing a game in 2007. At times, McGee looked indecisive in the pocket and struggled downfield.

Shoulder surgery in the off-season should refresh the throwing ability that McGee possessed in high school. If not, sophomore sensation Jerrod Johnson is anxiously waiting in the wings.

A significant change that Sherman has already made was moving running back Jorvorskie Lane to fullback. This will allow both thunder - Lane - and lightning - running back Mike Goodson - to be in the backfield at the same time. Lane struggled at times in 2007 when it was obvious that the ball was going to him.

Another area of concern for A&M will be their secondary. Pass defense was consistently A&M's Achilles' heel under Dennis Franchione. The Aggies were 92nd in the nation in pass defense giving up 254.85 yards a game through the air. in 2007.

Former defensive coordinators Carl Torbush and Gary Darnell utilized a read-and-react defensive strategy, which fell apart against short-passing offenses like Texas Tech. New defensive coordinator Joe Kines looks to correct this with a more proactive approach to the defensive side of the ball.

The introduction of Mike Sherman to the Big 12 comes at a time the conference is at its peak. Oklahoma and Kansas are coming off BCS bowl appearances while Texas compiled its seventh consecutive 10-win season.

Texas Tech has also built up a great deal of excitement around its football program this year. Some prognosticators have the Red Raiders as a dark horse to win the Big 12 South this season.

One advantage Sherman and the Aggies will have this season is their home schedule. Power opponents Miami, Texas Tech and Oklahoma will visit Kyle Field this year.

"The home field advantage we have this year will be one of our saving graces," Byrne said. "One of the things that makes us good is the 12th Man. It absolutely makes a difference."