Texas A&M Football: Aiming for a Bowl Game with Von Miller and Coach Mike Sherman Leading the Way

Strategic Insights -

With a 5-3 record and 2-2 Big 12 standing, Texas A&M is positioned to be bowl-eligible if they beat Colorado this week. Coach Mike Sherman is focused on the next game, but Von Miller, the defensive end/linebacker, has his eyes on the postseason. Miller had a blast at the Alamo Bowl two years ago and wants to return to the postseason. He believes the team's character will show itself at the end of the season, and a bowl game would be a great opportunity for the team.

Key Takeaways:

  • Von Miller, a defensive end/linebacker, has two chances left to make the postseason or one if he declares early for the NFL draft.
  • Coach Mike Sherman is focused on the next game against Colorado, but is aware that a bowl game would be a big step forward for the program in his second year as head coach.
  • A&M has used 76 players this season, with 36 being first-time players, including 18 true freshmen who don't play like newcomers.
  • The Big 12 is tied into eight bowls, with the league champion being part of the BCS, and the pecking order after that is Cotton, Holiday, Alamo, Sun, Insight, Independence, and Texas.
  • Senior assistant coach/quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley is recovering from a tumor removal and jaw reconstruction surgery and is on antibiotics, but plans to travel with the team to Colorado this week.
  • A&M won at Lubbock for the first time since 1993, and Coach Sherman is aware of the thin air in Boulder, Colorado, but is not planning anything different.
  • The team has been climbing a "mountain" of success, according to Coach Sherman, with carabiners representing a ladder of cooperation and teamwork.
  • The game at Oklahoma on Nov. 14 will be televised by FSN at 6 p.m.
  • TV passed on Colorado at Iowa State, and A&M's game at Colorado at 12:40 p.m. Saturday will be on Fox College Sports.

Statistics:

  • A&M has used 76 players this season.
  • 36 of those players were first-time players, including 18 true freshmen.
  • The Big 12 is tied into eight bowls.
  • The Big 12 champion will be part of the BCS.
  • A&M won at Lubbock for the first time since 1993.
  • The team has had 24 hours or less to acclimate to thin air in other games.

Sources:

  • "The Eagle," Bryan, Texas
  • Robert Cessna, e-mail address: robert.cessna@theeagle.com
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
  • The Permissions Group Inc.