Tag: Marty & McGee

Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is excited for the return of the Lone Star Showdown

Texas A&M vs. Texas could determine a playoff spot for both teams this season

In 16 short days, No. 20-ranked Texas A&M will host the 7th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, August 31, as head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season will include the return of the Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M for the first time since the end of the 2011 season.

Elko and his staff are focused on the entire season at hand, but it’s hard not to get excited about what’s to come at the end of the season, knowing that both programs could possibly be fighting for a spot in the expanded college football playoff.

This week, Elko sat down with SEC Network’s Marty Smith and Ryan McGee to discuss what he expects once the matchup arrives on Saturday, November 30, as the Longhorns embark on their first SEC season and will face the Aggies in a return to Kyle Field.

“Bringing it back, the way it’s coming back, and obviously with them coming back into the same conference as us, and what that all will mean, the amount of people that are gonna be there, what it’s gonna look like celebrity-like on both sidelines, all the people who are going to try and experience that game, it’s going to feel a little bit like an occasion,” Elko stated.

“That’s what you want, right? That’s what makes college football so special. I glad they’re coming back into our league and I’m glad we get to play them on Thankgiving weekend, and I’m glad we get to settle it on the field. You shouldn’t have two brands like that so close not competing with each other.”

For what it’s worth, Elko, compared to former head coach Jimbo Fisher, has been more open to looking ahead toward key matchups, something the Aggie’s fan base has been receptive to.

Texas A&M will open the 2024 season vs. Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31. The game will air on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

SEC Nation is coming to Oxford for Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss

SEC Nation is coming to Oxford (MS) for Texas A&M’s pivotal road test vs. Ole Miss on Saturday, Nov. 5th.

Texas A&M’s (5-3, 3-2 SEC) Week 10 road test vs. the 11th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels (7-1, 4-1 SEC) is by far the Aggies’ most critical game remaining on the schedule, outside of the season finale road trip vs. LSU, of course.

While revenge is a dish best served cold, Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is less strategic when it comes to facing Jimbo Fisher, who, after hiring former Ole Miss defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin to the same position two seasons ago may still harbor some anger, but after the display he put on after defeating the Aggies in Kyle Field last season, this Aggies squad, specifically the defense, is out for some revenge of their own.

Returning to the win column after downing the visiting South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas A&M is just one win away from bowl eligibility. Still, the main goal is to win the next 3 out of four or win out.

Due to the importance of the matchup, SEC Nation, including host Laura Rutledge, along with analysts Tim Tebow, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, and Jordan Rodgers, will return to The Grove in Oxford (MS). At the same time, the show is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, as the Marty & McGee show will air a couple of hours beforehand before the 11:00 a.m. kickoff.

Ole Miss, of course, defeated Texas A&M 35-28 last season, spoiling then-freshman quarterback Conner Weigman’s four-touchdown performance, while Rebels star running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 205 yards in a memorable back-and-forth contest. With the new SEC format in 2024, this will be the final meeting between both programs until at least 2025.

Texas A&M will now travel to Oxford (MS) to face the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 5, where the game will again air on ESPN at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

SEC Nation is coming to Knoxville for Texas A&M vs. Tennessee

SEC Nation is coming to Knoxville (TN) for Texas A&M’s critical Week 7 road trip face the Tennessee Volunteers.

Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) will travel to Knoxville (TN) to face the Tennessee Volunteers (4-1, 2-1 SEC) in a crucial Week 7 matchup, as the Aggies are coming off their disappointing 26-20 loss to Alabama on Saturday afternoon, while the Vols are returning from their bye week after defeating South Carolina 41-20 a week prior.

Due to the critical nature of the matchup for both programs, it was announced the weekend that SEC Network’s Saturday morning pregame show, SEC Nation, as host Laura Rutledge, along with analysts Tim Tebow, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, and Jordan Rodgers, is coming to Knoxville and will likely broadcast live from the Ayres Hall lawn.

The show is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, as the Marty & McGee show will air a couple of hours beforehand. For the Vols, this is the third time in two seasons that the program will head to Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel.

The last meeting between both programs came during the shortened 2020 COVID season, as the then Kellen Mond-led Aggies defeated Tennessee 34-13 in Neyland Stadium, while the series is tied at 2-2 all-time.

Texas A&M cannot afford a second SEC loss, which would ultimately destroy their chances at contending in the West at the end of the season. The game will also act as yet another litmus test for head coach Jimbo Fisher’s future with the program.

Texas A&M will travel to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2:30 p.m. CT, inside Neyland Stadium (TV: CBS).

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

SEC Nation is coming to College Station for Texas A&M vs. Auburn

SEC Nation is coming to College Station for Texas A&M’s big SEC home opener vs. the visiting Auburn Tigers next Saturday morning.

Saturday’s showdown between Texas A&M (2-1) and the visiting Auburn (3-0) Tigers is big, folks, as the SEC opener for both squads is filled with future implications in the wide-open SEC West.

For the Aggies, Saturday’s decisive 47-3 home win over UL Monroe didn’t answer any lingering questions, while the Tigers 45-13 win over Samford showed a versatile performance from quarterback Peyton Thorne (283 yards, 1 TD pass, 123 rushing yards, two TDs).

Due to the importance of the matchup for both programs, it was announced Sunday that SEC Network’s Saturday morning pregame show, SEC Nation, is coming to College Station and will broadcast live from Texas A&M’s Aggie Park before kickoff.

Outside of the regular morning broadcast, The Paul Finebaum Show will also be live from Aggie Park from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, while Marty & McGee on Saturday morning from 8:00-9:00 a.m.

After falling to the Tigers 13-10 on the road in what was a miserable game within an even more miserable 2022 season for both programs, revenge is on Jimbo Fisher’s mind behind the arm of ascending quarterback Conner Weigman.

Texas A&M will host the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 11:00 a.m., where it will air on ESPN.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Jimbo Fisher praises his experienced coaching staff with SEC Networks’ Marty and McGee

Aggies HC Jimbo Fisher praised his talented and experienced coaching staff during his conversation with SEC Networks’ Marty & McGee

Texas A&M’s 2022 football season was an utter failure by every definition, culminating in a 5-7 (2-6 SEC) finish that has left a lasting impression that will only be eliminated through a complete rebound campaign in 2023.

Head Coach Jimbo Fisher immediately felt the heat one month after the season, taking the “no risk, no reward” route in hiring Bobby Petrino as the program’s new offensive coordinator. In contrast, defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin and O-line coach Steve Addazio will return for their second season in Aggieland.

Without going into a rant concerning the talent on the roster, the Aggies lead the SEC in returning production. At the same time, the four presumed leaders on offense and defense include wide receiver Ainias Smith, strong safety Demani Richardson, right guard Layden Robinson, and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, who are all entering their presumed final season with the Maroon and White.

Last week, Fisher sat down with college football analysts Marty Smith and Ryan McGee on SEC Networks “Marty and McGee” to preview the 2023 season and heap praise on the coaching as mentioned above staff he has assembled. Honestly, each coach has a downright impressive experience, combining a wealth of football knowledge and all the goals they have set out with just two weeks remaining before the Sept. 2 opener.

But outside of Petrino, Durkin, and Addazio, the longtime offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, known for his days helping future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees break NCAA records at Purdue in the late 90s-2000s, was hired as an offensive analyst back in February, and while Petrino will be the majority play caller, Chaney’s influence, especially on spread offense concepts, will be utilized through each week.

As they say, there is always strength in numbers; by the looks of it, Fisher feels very confident that this current staff is one of the best in the country.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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Seemingly confused Nick Saban awkwardly accepted an ‘Aight Award,’ but his reaction was perfect

Aight.

During a segment on Saturday’s latest SEC Network’s Marty & McGee, hosts Marty Smith and Ryan McGee decided to give guest Nick Saban a very… interesting award.

Highlighting all the times Saban has said “aight” during his press conferences, the show hosts gave a very confused Saban the “2022 Aight Award” for all the times he’s said that word.

In the clip, Saban looked as enthused to be watching a montage of him saying “aight” as a hungry person showing up to a Friendsgiving celebration just as somebody steals the last bite of turkey.

You could tell how befuddled Saban was to receive such a, uh, prestigious honor.

Saban took the award in stride with a laugh, but his uncomfortable fidgeting through that segment was shared with all who watched.

After all, his Crimson Tide had the Iron Bowl on the slate against Auburn that afternoon. It likely added to the “why on Earth am I doing this right now?” energy Saban exudes in the very “aight” clip.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s concern for the season is ‘high to very high’

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said he is concerned about the prospect of playing football in the fall during an interview on ESPN Radio.

In light of rising COVID-19 cases across the south and decisions made by the Big 10 and PAC 12 over the last several days to move to conference-only football schedules this fall, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said he is concerned about the prospect of playing football in the fall during an interview on the ESPN Radio show Marty & McGee on Saturday morning.

“We put a medical advisory group together in early April with the question, ‘What do we have to do to get back to activity?’ and they’ve been a big part of the conversation,” Sankey said. “But the direct reality is not good and the notion that we’ve politicized medical guidance of distancing, and breathing masks, and hand sanitization, ventilation of being outside, being careful where you are in buildings. There’s some very clear advice about — you can’t mitigate and eliminate every risk, but how do you minimize the risk? … We are running out of time to correct and get things right, and as a society we owe it to each other to be as healthy as we can be.”

Sankey pointed out that since what one league does affects every other league, the decisions made by two of the Power Five conferences will impact the SEC’s decision-making. But he also said the league will cater to the individual needs of its member institutions above all else.

“That literally is playing out in front of us every day,” Sankey said. “That’s why I don’t feel any pressure because of somebody else’s decisions. We’re trying to make the right decisions for us, for the Southeastern Conference. It does have an impact because I’ve said publicly we’re all linked nationally, so when other people make decisions, yup, there’s an impact, but also we’re going to look at our situation and make a decision that’s appropriate for the Southeastern Conference and most importantly for the health of our student-athletes.”

“What I’ve tried to do is both keep a focus on what’s ahead but provide reality, which has been I’m going to focus on preparing to play the season as scheduled but acknowledge the circumstances around coronavirus are going to guide us in that decision-making,” Sankey said. “And the reality right now is the trends in our region, in our nation, are not in the positive direction for being able to have normal experiences.”

In the interview, Sankey confirmed that the late July deadline for final decisions regarding the season hasn’t changed and that he believes it beneficial to wait as long as possible before making an informed decision. The other two Power Five conferences, the ACC and Big 12, have both also said that they will wait until the end of the month to make decisions about scheduling.

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