Top 25 College Football Teams Who Exceeded Expectations the Past 10 Years
Dec 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) speaks with head coach Kevin Sumlin during the second quarter against the Duke Blue Devils in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
With Kevin Sumlin’s brilliance, Texas A&M navigated through the SEC with no problem.
Johnny Manziel initially struggled in the second half in losses against the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers, but they scored a major victory against Mississippi State and then on the road against the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, the only loss for the eventual national champions.
Manziel won the Heisman that year, and the Aggies destroyed the Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 in the Cotton Bowl to finish off the season at No. 6, a big shock for them their first year in the SEC.
This set in motion what the Aggies would become in the future for the conference, and things are only looking brighter as Sumlin continues to recruit well. It all started here. Don’t forget, the Aggies easily could have made it to being undefeated this year.
" >
12
Texas A&M Aggies 2005
Last week: 2012 Record: 11-2
Last rank: No. 5 (Final AP Rank)
When the Texas A&M Aggies moved to the SEC in 2012, they were supposed to be going through a rebuilding phase. The Aggies had gone .500 the year before in the Big 12, were breaking in a new coach and a new quarterback, and had to enter he loaded SEC West.
But that coach and quarterback, along with quite a few more offensive weapons, defied all conventional wisdom.
With Kevin Sumlin’s brilliance, Texas A&M navigated through the SEC with no problem.
Johnny Manziel initially struggled in the second half in losses against the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers, but they scored a major victory against Mississippi State and then on the road against the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, the only loss for the eventual national champions.
Manziel won the Heisman that year, and the Aggies destroyed the Oklahoma Sooners 41-13 in the Cotton Bowl to finish off the season at No. 6, a big shock for them their first year in the SEC.
This set in motion what the Aggies would become in the future for the conference, and things are only looking brighter as Sumlin continues to recruit well. It all started here. Don’t forget, the Aggies easily could have made it to being undefeated this year.
Next: #11: 2007 Missouri