patrick conn – Syndication Server

‘College 12-Pack’ podcast debut features another batch of ‘Aggies avoiding Texas’ discussions

Falling to Stanford last week, College 12-Pack podcast wonders if Texas A&M avoided the Super Regional round to face Texas.

Ah yes, the conspiracy theories regarding Texas A&M’s willingness to continue avoiding Texas in multiple sports, most recently falling to Stanford in the NCAA Baseball Tournament with a chance to face the Longhorns in the Super Regional round this weekend.

Last week, I wrote a piece exploring said theories jokingly. However, some still believe the Aggies a purposely doing everything in their power to save every bit of bad blood before Texas joins the SEC in 2024.

On Friday, College Sports Wire Senior Editor Patrick Conn and LSU Wire Managing Editor Tyler Nettuno continued the discussion. Texas is set to take on Stanford in Palo Alto on Saturday night. Disappointed that some iteration of the Lone Star Showdown will yet again have to wait, Patrick Conn, like most of us, was rightfully disappointed.

“I was looking forward to watching Texas vs. Texas A&M,” Conn Stated. “But much like basketball, Texas A&M goes out of their way to lose to avoid playing Texas before joining the SEC”

Putting all the cards on the table, Texas vs. Texas A&M, Texas A&M vs. Texas, Aggies vs. Horns, Maroon and White vs. Burt Orange, etc., it will all happen in due time in a setting of significant meaning, but nothing will top the moment they final reunite on the gridiron, as the 2024 SEC schedule is set to be released on Wednesday, June 14.

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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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Texas A&M’s Donovan Green not included among College Sports Wire’s Top 13 Tight ends

Texas A&M sophomore tight end Donovan Green, who is slowly becoming a star at the position, was recently excluded from College Sports Wire’s Tight end power rankings.

The 2023 college football offseason is in full swing as the summer begins, meaning preseason rankings, especially those focused on position groups, dominate the media landscape as fans gauge their team’s strengths and weaknesses.

For Texas A&M, head coach Jimbo Fisher’s desperate attempt to put the program’s disappointing 5-7 2022 season in the rearview mirror, immediate and consistent success on the gridiron is the only way forward, and to rebound and reach any of their numerous lofty goals in 2023, the offense, led by newly minted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, and blue-chip sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman present a coach-player dynamic that may make for break the Aggies when it’s all said and done.

Outside of A&M’s prolific wide receiver rotation made up of Ainias Smith, Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad II, and Noah Thomas, the tight end room is deep with both raw talent and veteran experience; sophomore TE Donovan Green stands out the most after appearing in nine out of twelve games last season.

This week, College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn ranked the Top 13 tight ends ahead of the 2023 campaign. Several ranked players are debatable outside a few established superstars (i.e., Georgia’s Brock Bowers and Syracuse’s Orande Gadson).

Donovan Green, who recorded 22 receptions for 222 yards, two touchdowns, and a 10.6 YPG average, failed to make the list. Green, who stands at 6-4, and nearly 240 pounds, has the rare ability not only to block effectively in run and pass pro but possesses a receiver-like twitchiness and field-stretching ability in the seam; his offensive output would have been higher if it wasn’t for A&M’s quarterback carousel that destroyed any sense form of offensive chemistry.

Time will tell how Dominant Green will be this season, but in a room with tight ends Jake Johnson and Theo Ohlstrom, shared snaps could hinder him statistically. However, his impact, especially his connection with Conner Weigman early on, should put him in contention for one of the rising stars at the position.

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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College Sports Wire reviews the most anticipated Texas A&M nonconfernce matchup in 2023

Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire recently reviewed CBS Sports’ list of the most anticipated nonconference matchups in the 2023 CFB season.

It’s that time of the year, folks, as we begin the 100-day countdown to the start of the 2023 college football season, and instead of focusing on mainstream topics such as if the Georgia Bulldogs will yet again go undefeated next season, it’s time to take a closer look at the best nonconference matchups the game has to offer.

CBS Sports released its list of the best conference games next season earlier this week. Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire provided his take on each matchup, including the anticipated early season rematch between Texas A&M and Miami. Last season, the Aggies defeated the Hurricanes behind the arm of quarterback Max Johnson, who was aided by an impressive defensive effort, including eight tackles from then-freshman safety Bryce Anderson.

This season, both teams are more talented and experienced after enduring disappointing finishes in 2022, leading to changes at the offensive coordinator spot as Bobby Petrino has joined Texas A&M, While Shane Dawson has made his way to South Beach. For Patrick Conn, this may be a season definer ahead of conference play.

These two programs will meet for the fifth time since 1944. The Aggies won the first game of the series and won last year, 17-9. Both had higher expectations than they way they finished and both made changes at offensive coordinator. Jimbo Fisher brought in former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino as the offensive coordinator, and he will work with five-star QB Conner Weigman. Weigman didn’t play in this game last year but will be the guy this time around.

Tyler Van Dyke returns for the Hurricanes after speculation that he was unhappy in Miami. It turns out that was false and now the focus shifts to the upcoming season. The Hurricanes are looking to return to the ACC title picture in year two of the Mario Cristobal era. New OC Shannon Dawson comes over from Houston, the hope being that the offense is much more lethal this time around. Houston was No. 16 in scoring offenses with 36.1 points per game. The Canes were No. 97 at 23.6 points per game.

Texas A&M will open their 2023 season at Kyle Field vs. New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 2, as times will be announced before the start of the season.

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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According to College Sports Wire, Jimbo Fisher continues to fall in the coaching ranks

College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn ranked the Top coaches in the FBS, and to little surprise, Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher has taken a dive in the rankings.

Whenever head coach rankings by respected college football writers in the industry, such as College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn, are released to the masses, I’ll always suggest that understanding the criteria used to assemble said rankings are based on previous season results, championship pedigree, and consistency on the field during each coaches tenure with their program.

For Texas A&M, head coach Jimbo Fisher is under a massive microscope this coming season, as the 5-7 (2-6 SEC) 2022 campaign has not only scarred his legacy with the Aggies, but his 2013 National Championship is starting to lose its shine to even the fairest sports writers.

Entering his 6th season with the program, the stakes have never been higher, and after hiring Bobby Petrino as the new offensive coordinator, the noted play-calling savant may be the missing piece to finally getting out of their extraordinarily frustrating funk. Nevertheless, according to Patrick Conn, Fisher is still ranked as a Top 30 coach, whose newest head coach rankings paint a fascinating picture as he quickly approaches the 2023 season. So, coming in at No. 27, here’s what Conn had to say about Fisher’s drastic drop since this time last year:

It was a poor season for the Aggies and Jimbo Fisher in 2022. It was the first losing season for Texas A&M since he took over the program in 2018. You could feel it around College Station, but Fisher has the talent around him to right the ship. The team lost five games by one score a season ago, if they can make a few more plays on offense they should win a lot more games in 2023.

Ranked below the likes of Illinois’ Brett Bielema (No. 26), Kansas’s Lance Leipold (No. 25), and yes, even Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin (No. 13), the best approach Fisher can take this season is that of CEO, while finally handing over the play-calling duties for the first time in his career, the talent is there, starting and ending with sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman who is poised to breakout if avoidable chaos is, well, avoided.

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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College Sports Wire has Dillon Gabriel ranked as the 12th-best QB in the country

Oklahoma’s leader and QB1, Dillon Gabriel, was listed as the No. 12 QB in the country by College Sports Wire.

Oklahoma’s true preparation for the 2023 season is approaching its final steps.

Team 129 will start summer workouts ahead of fall camp in the coming weeks, and guys will return from their breaks after spring practice. Oklahoma looks to hit the ground running in pursuit of one final Big 12 crown and one last berth in the College Football Playoff as a member of the Big 12 before it departs for the SEC next summer.

At the heart of that goal, quarterback Dillon Gabriel resides with the keys to Jeff Lebby’s offense. He plays a significant role in Oklahoma’s attempt to rebound from the program’s worst season in over 20 years.

Gabriel was the target of ire for some Sooners fans despite starting 12 of the team’s 13 games and ranking second in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (264), total offense (290.3 ypg), pass efficiency rating (154.4), yards per completion (13.8), yards per pass attempt (8.6) and passing touchdowns (25). He completed 62.7% of his passes for 3,168 yards and rushed for 317 yards and six touchdowns. He threw for at least 230 yards in nine of his 11 complete games and threw for at least one touchdown in 10 of those games.

He did leave a few plays on the field once or twice a game, and he has spoken about that this offseason. However, on a list of reasons OU went 6-7 last year, he should be in the bottom third.

College football feels more wide open this year than it has in the last few. Sure, Georgia has transformed itself into a red and black version of Godzilla, terrorizing the rest of college football. But, UGA no longer has proven signal-caller Stetson Bennett and has to reload a roster that lost multiple starters to the top 100 picks of the 2023 NFL draft. Alabama doesn’t have a QB that’s proven either with Bryce Young leaving Tuscaloosa to become the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. As you sit back and survey the college football landscape, the field is wide open, but QB play could be the separation for many.

Our friends at College Sports Wire ranked the 25 best quarterbacks in college football and while the consensus remains that one-time Sooner Caleb Williams is the top guy, the rest could be debated.

Dillon Gabriel slots in at No. 12 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 behind Kansas’ Jalon Daniels.

Gabriel was a huge acquisition for the Sooners prior to the 2022 season. A move that almost didn’t happen after the former UCF passer originally committed to transfer to UCLA. But as has been the case for a good chunk of his collegiate career, he missed time due to injury. Of course, that injury occurred due to a late hit by TCU during their game. The Big 12’s leading passer is hoping for a repeat of last year if Oklahoma wants to avoid back-to-back losing seasons. — Conn, College Sports Wire

Gabriel is a significant part of Oklahoma’s equation heading into 2023. He has spent multiple seasons with Jeff Lebby as his offensive coordinator dating to their time at UCF.

It’s now or never for Gabriel. With five-star QB Jackson Arnold on campus, the margin for error this year could be slim. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Gabriel remains the top QB in Norman if Oklahoma’s offense struggles. Gabriel has command of the offense, and his teammates respect and follow him.

However, Oklahoma is not a place where 6-7 will be tolerated in back-to-back seasons. Changes could be made at QB, if nothing else, to shake things up.

Ultimately, it’s hard to believe Gabriel will not play at least as well as he did last year. He could likely even exceed that if things fall perfectly. He lost three of his top four pass catchers to the NFL, so early on, adjusting and finding his complementary options to wide receivers Jalil Farooq and Drake Stoops could set the tone for his ability to consistently perform and whether or not Gabriel moves up this list by the end of the season.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman ranked in the Top 10 for SEC Quarterbacks

According to College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn, Aggies sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman is a Top 10 returner in the SEC for 2023

Texas A&M’s impending 2023 season will be surrounded by two storylines in the coming months: How will new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s hiring impact the Aggies offense for the better, and is there actually a quarterback competition between senior lefty Max Johnson, and ascending sophomore Conner Weigman?

The first question will be answered most likely by mid-season, while the quarterback competition, which head coach Jimbo Fisher has cryptically indicated will last through fall camp when repeatedly asked if Weigman is the starter during his most recent appearances in front of the media, is destined to take the same ole “we’ll wait and see” approach.

However, we at Aggies Wire assume (with caution) that Wiegman will continue where he left off at the end of the 2022 campaign as the starting signal caller, and according to Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire who ranked every starting SEC quarterback for the 2023 season, Weigman is ranked as the 8th best returner in the conference.

In five appearances including four starts last season, Weigman threw for 896 yards for 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, with an impressive 55.3% completion percentage. Here is what Conn had to say about his selection:

After the failed tenure of Haynes King and an injury to Max Johnson, the Aggies finally turned to their five-star quarterback in 2022. In five games, he showed a lot of promise for a team that severely underperformed with a 5-7 record. With Weigman now viewed as a guy in College Station and with a new offensive coordinator, it will be a wait-and-see approach for Texas A&M. They have the talent but can they put it all together this season?

Yes, time will indeed tell if Conner Weigman can immediately gel as the full-time starter with the pieces around him, but more importantly, A&M’s offensive line will need to significantly improve in order for any progress to be made offensively. Talent-wise, Weigman will have plenty to work with outside of an elite wide receiver core, including one of the deepest running back groups in the country with the recent addition of former Boston College and Colorado State running back, David Bailey.

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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Dillon Gabriel No. 2 in College Sports Wire’s post-spring Big 12 quarterback rankings

Dillon Gabriel No. 2 in College Sports Wire’s post-spring Big 12 quarterback rankings.

After a spring game that provided some entertaining moments, the Oklahoma Sooners have some intriguing position battles at offensive line, defensive line, cornerback, and safety.

One place where the starter is locked in is at quarterback. Dillon Gabrel is QB1 for Oklahoma and enters his second year in the Big 12. Regional Editor Patrick Conn over at College Sports Wire believes Gabriel is the second-best signal-caller in the conference. Gabriel comes in at No. 2 behind Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels.

Gabriel was a huge acquisition for the Sooners prior to the 2022 season. A move that almost didn’t happen after the former UCF passer originally committed to transfer to UCLA. But as has been the case for a good chunk of his collegiate career, he missed time due to injury. Of course, that injury occurred due to a late hit by TCU during their game. The Big 12’s leading passer is hoping for a repeat of last year if Oklahoma wants to avoid back-to-back losing seasons. – Conn, College Sports Wire

Oklahoma enters year two under Venables looking to improve in every facet. Last year’s team was the worst in 20+ years. Bringing back their quarterback will help the Sooners rebound from their 6-7 season.

Improving his pocket presence was a point of emphasis for Gabriel this offseason. Making more routine throws consistently would also help the Sooners’ offense reach another level of production.

If Gabriel can do those two things and the Sooners find consistent playmakers to replace Marvin Mims, Brayden Willis, and Eric Gray, Oklahoma will score a plethora of points in its final season in the Big 12.

Gabriel won Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition. He was also named AP Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and garnered second-team all-league acclaim from the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus.

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Sell, Sell, Sell? College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn not buying the Aggies as 2023 contenders

Contenders or Pretenders? Texas A&M isn’t shy of critcism after last seasons’ results, but don’t be surprised if their best season is right in front of them

Texas A&M knew minutes after their 38-23 season finale win over the then 5th-ranked LSU Tigers that the celebration would be short and sweet, as their 5-7 record and 2-6 finish in the SEC would lead to a sustained “doom and gloom” media coverage this offseason, though things are definitely looking up at the tail end of spring football practice this month.

On Wednesday, Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire authored a piece titled “Buy or Sell these 12 Teams as Contenders in the 2023 Season”, essentially detailing the “contenders and pretenders” ahead of next season’s festivities. Any average college football fan could probably guess the names on the list, including recent National Champion Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama, Texas, LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami, and of course, your Texas A&M Aggies.

Using the Wall Street method of standing on the trading floor and screaming “Buy! wait Sell!!” Conn made his feelings clear about A&M’s chances to rebound in 2023, and let’s just say he’s not buying one thing about the Maroon and White as long as head coach Jimbo Fisher remains, well, head coach.

“We are all the way out on the Texas A&M Aggies as legitimate contenders and it has nothing to do with the Aggies per se. It has everything to do with Jimbo Fisher. He won his lone national title in a down year for Alabama and even though he beat the Crimson Tide in recent years, he falls victim to teams like Appalachian State and barely survived a game against a talentless Colorado Buffaloes squad.”

These points are valid because when it comes to evaluating every Power 5 head coach year to year, wins and losses are all that matter, and aside from the Aggies’ 9-1 2020 COVID-inflicted campaign, the results since have been average, to below average at best.

The 2023 season is crucial not only for Fisher’s legacy with the program, but for a fan base that is getting pretty sick and tired of watching a team with unlimited talent at their disposal struggle against lesser competition, and fail to find any consistency once conference play roles around.

Texas A&M has everything in front of them once again this season, as most of the historic 2022 recruiting class returns, veteran players such as Ainias Smith, Layden Robinson, McKinnley Jackson, and Demani Richardson look to lead what is still a relatively young squad to greater heights, knowing that everyone outside of College Station will be betting against them.

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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Jimbo Fisher has found himself on yet another coaching ‘Hot Seat’ list ahead of the 2023 season

Aggies Head coach Jimbo Fisher joins a long list of coaches that will be firmly on the “Hot Seat” ahead of the 2023 college football season

“Man, can’t we just give this guy a break? Wait, they went 5-7 last season with the highest-rated recruiting class in the country and key returners on both sides of the ball? You’re telling me they also lost six consecutive SEC games? Okay, that’s fair.”

And.. Scene! That was my impression of telling a casual, non-Aggie that Texas A&M’s loquacious Head coach Jimbo Fisher was just added to College Sports Wire’s 2023 coaching “hot seat” list, which isn’t the first time we’ve seen the West Virginia native find himself among the most fireable names in college football, and certainly won’t be the last time heading into the pivotal 2023 season.

What’s the hardest fact to face for any fan concerning Fisher’s future? His $86 million buyout, all while being the sixth highest paid head coach in the league behind the likes of Nick Saban (7 National Titles), Dabo Swinney (2 National Titles), Kirby Smart (2 National Titles), Brian Kelly, and Mel Tucker, as writer Patrick Conn rubs a little bit of dirt in every Aggie’s eye with that little reminder.

On paper, Fisher holds a 39-21, and 23-18 record in the SEC in six seasons with the Aggies, while being provided a mulligan during his first three seasons to recruit his players, hire his desired coaching staff, and build Texas A&M into one of the most respected programs in the country once more, but so far, success on the gridiron has been consistently inconsistent, leading up to one of the Fisher’s worst seasons as a head coach, and worst for the Aggies in nearly 14 seasons.

It’s not like Jimbo Fisher is unaware of his current status going into the season, and after the Aggies displayed one of the worst offenses in the country last season, playcalling became a central issue that needed to be quelled, leading to the hiring of the controversial coaching veteran Bobby Petrino as the new offensive coordinator, and presumed primary play-caller for 2023 and beyond.

Adding the return of quarterback Conner Weigman, a wide receiver unit of Ainias Smith, Evan Stewart, and Moose Muhammad III, and all five 2022 starters returning on the offensive line, it’s nearly impossible not to improve from what we all had to witness for 12 straight weeks, outside of future NFL running back Devon Achanes’ brilliance on the field, of course. Either way, we’re in for a wild ride for the next 9 months! Gig ‘Em, and BTHO off-season.

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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College Football Morning Announcements for June 19

College Football Morning Announcements features a visit from Patrick Conn as we talk coronavirus at Texas and a 2020 Longhorns outlook.

Happy Friday and Juneteenth to those of you celebrating. If you can today, take a minute and research something about the holiday and why it matters so much to so many, because if you’re at all like myself your public school education glossed over a large chunk of that part of American history.

In an all-time awkward transition, we sat down with Patrick Conn of Longhorns Wire to talk about the recent news in regards to coronavirus and the Texas Longhorns as well as take a look at Tom Herman and Texas as they enter 2020.

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How much pressure is on to win and win big this year and how close is Texas to unseating Oklahoma again atop the Big 12? It all gets discussed in the latest episode of the College Football Morning Announcements.

If you haven’t already, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and share with anyone who you consider a college football, Notre Dame or Texas football fan.

Thanks for listening, reading and sharing. Have a great weekend!