Tag: Pete Thamel

ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Clemson stuck in the ‘upper middle class’ of college football

Thamel on Clemson football’s place in the modern game.

Pete Thamel, ESPN’s college football senior writer, shared his thoughts on Clemson’s season before their 24-14 win at Virginia Tech. He described the Tigers as stuck in the “upper middle class” of college football, pointing out that their inconsistency has kept them from breaking through to the elite level. “They, quite frankly, don’t deserve to be ranked in the playoffs,” Thamel said, noting that the Tigers had yet to secure a significant win.

The Tigers responded in impressive fashion, particularly in the second half, where they outscored the Hokies 24-7. The defense was a standout, forcing three turnovers and limiting Virginia Tech to just 40 rushing yards. Clemson also displayed its offensive strength, with Phil Mafah rushing for 128 yards and Cade Klubnik throwing for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Thamel had called for an “authoritative performance,” and the Tigers showed their ability to dominate in the second half. This victory capped a solid all-around effort from both the offense and defense, a response to their earlier struggles and a statement to critics. “It’s never easy to play at Virginia Tech,” Thamel acknowledged, though Clemson managed to turn the tide.

Looking ahead, Clemson (7-2, 6-1 ACC) will play Pittsburgh in their final ACC game of the season. A win in this contest would further solidify their standing, especially after bouncing back from the upset loss to Louisville. As they continue their late-season push, the Tigers will be eager to prove they belong among the nation’s top teams.

One of LSU’s top receivers could miss Saturday’s game vs. Texas A&M

LSU could be without of its top receiving options against Texas A&M

Less than five hours before Texas A&M and LSU kickoff one of the most important games of the 2024 regular season, the visiting 8th-ranked Tigers could be without one of its top receiving options, according to a source.

Throughout the week, both teams have dealt with at least one key injury, including Texas A&M starting left guard Chase Bisontis, who, as of Saturday afternoon, will not play on Saturday night. For LSU, according to ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel, speedy senior wide receiver CJ Daniels is now a game-time decision to appear against the Aggies.

While most offenses are usually able to get over the hump of missing a wide receiver, LSU’s spread-out passing scheme requires a wealth of reliable route runners with the ability to make plays after contact. In contrast, if he’s unavailable, Daniel’s ability to take the top of defenses might limit the Tiger’s passing game.

In an SEC road game among a potential sold-out and very loud Kyle Field, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier might need to rely heavily on senior wideout Kyren Lacy throughout the night if Daniels can’t go.

However, Thamel also noted that Tigers WR Chris Hilton will be activated for the first time this season.

https://twitter.com/petethamel/status/1850157330366710229?s=61&t=PQIDTMRfGWyDcUiZmwLUEw

Texas A&M will host LSU at home on Saturday, Oct. 26th, at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman is reportedly a game-time decison vs. Florida

Conner Weigman is a game-time decison just hours before Texas A&M’s road test vs. Florida

Texas A&M (1-1) will take on the Florida Gators (1-1) in both teams’ first SEC matchup of the season, while the Aggies bring a 10-game conference road losing streak.

Towards the end of the week, A&M head coach Mike Elko dealt with several key injuries after the final practice this week. Starting Nickel cornerback Tyreek Chappell and safety, Trey Jones are out for Saturday’s game while starting quarterback Conner Weigman is questionable to play due to an upper-body injury.

As his Weigman’s status remained the same going into Friday night’s injury report release, ESPN insider Pete Thamel reported on Saturday morning that the redshirt sophomore is now a game-time decision. At the same time, redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed is reportedly expected to make his first start this season if Weigman can’t go.

While the severity of Weigman’s “upper-body injury” is unknown, it’s expected to hinder his throwing motion, given his pre-game status. If Marcel Reed is called up, expect an uptick in RPO-based offense to utilize his legs.

Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

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ESPN insider Pete Thamel believes ‘toughness and discipline’ is key for Aggies this season

“I really think if Elko brings the fundamentals back and combines that with the talent, Texas A&M is going to be stout on Saturday night.”

Two years ago, Texas A&M secured the highest-rated recruiting class of the modern era. Yet, the Jimbo Fisher era in College Station proved to be a complete and utter failure because the program didn’t have structure.

The Aggies do now under new head coach Mike Elko, which ESPN senior writer Pete Thamel pointed out Wednesday on “College Football Live.”

“What Texas A&M fans want to see on this year’s team compared to recent editions is toughness and discipline,” Thamel proclaimed. “If Mike Elko has a hallmark from his two years as the head coach at Duke and then his time as a coordinator at Notre Dame, Wake Forest, you can go back to Hofstra and even his time as an assistant at Merchant Marine Academy. The sum was always greater than the parts.

“Look, the parts are pretty good right now at Texas A&M. They have one of the best defensive lines in the country. There has not been a lack of talent at Texas A&M, there’s been a lack of execution (and) discipline. I really think if Mike Elko brings the fundamentals back and combines that with the talent, Texas A&M is going to be stout on Saturday night.”

No. 20 Texas A&M officially kicks off the season on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT against No. 7 Notre Dame at Kyle Field on ABC and ESPN+.

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Per ESPN, Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens ‘expected to miss the season’ with ‘lower body injury’

Per ESPN college football writers Max Olson and Pete Thamel, Aggies sophomore running back Rueben Owens will miss the entire 2024 campaign.

According to recent reports, the Texas A&M football team suffered a big loss this weekend.

Per ESPN college football writers Max Olson and Pete Thamel, Aggies sophomore running back Rueben Owens II will miss the entire 2024 campaign following a “lower body injury” that he suffered Saturday during a team scrimmage.

The news was confirmed by 247Sports reporter Carter Karels. He added that sources couldn’t provide a timeline of when Foster may be able to return.

Owens was selected to the SEC All-Freshman team last year. Among true freshmen, he led the conference in all-purpose yards (743), rushing yards (385) and kick return yards (249).

The underclassman tailback had a clean bill of health during his first season in College Station, appearing in all 13 games and making five starts. He tallied at least one rush in each contest and had a catch in eight games.

EJ Smith, the son of Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, transferred to Texas A&M this past offseason after four years at Stanford. Juniors, Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss, round out the RBs depth chart.

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Rhule talks about quarterback competition at Big Ten Media Days

Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule spoke to ESPN’s Pete Thamel while at Big Ten Media Days earlier in the week.

Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule spoke to ESPN’s Pete Thamel while at Big Ten Media Days earlier in the week. Rhule was asked about his initial impressions of the newly expanded Big Ten Conference.

It’s like being at an NFL’s coaches meeting. It’s a national conference and it’s the best of the best.

Rhule was also asked about Year 2 at Nebraska and if he believes the players are ready to take that next step.

I think when the players start to get confident because of the work they put in. We’re working at a very high level. When they walk around that air of confidence. You know you’re going to make a jump that year and I see that with our guys.

The Husker head coach was asked about the team’s quarterback competition and what Nebraska’s plan will be entering the 2024 college football season.

Dylan is a special player. He comes from a special family. His father spent 14 years in the NFL. He knows the preparation. He knows the process. You’re blessed. I’m excited to see all three of those guys. They’ve worked so hard this summer and I think the first part of camp is just seeing where they are. In the new college football with a 12 team playoff, you know you’re looking at 16 games. You better No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 ready to play.

Nebraska will kickoff the 2024 college football season on August 31 when they welcome UTEP to Memorial Stadium.

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University of Tulsa hires Justin Moore from Texas A&M as next athletic director

“I’m excited to join the University of Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane has a rich athletics history with competitive teams and bright athletes.”

The University of Tulsa has hired Justin Moore as it’s next director of athletics.

ESPN college football senior writer Pete Thamel broke the news on Tuesday night. Moore previously served as the executive deputy athletic director at Texas A&M.

“I am excited to join the University of Tulsa,” Moore said in a news release. “The Golden Hurricane has a rich athletics history with competitive teams and bright student-athletes. I believe in the direction of the university under president Carson’s leadership. I am eager to build relationships with so many great people – the coaching and administrative staffs, donors, fans, student-athletes, alumni and the Tulsa community – and get to work advancing this amazing program.

“I first came to admire the University of Tulsa when we played during my time with Houston. There is truly something special in Tulsa. I look forward to amplifying Rick Dickson’s success in the coming years.”

Moore became an Aggies alumnus in 2004 before starting his career as a Texas A&M special athletics assistant in 2006.

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BREAKING: Texas A&M hires Trev Alberts from Nebraska as next director of athletics

After Ross Bjork departed Aggieland in January to become the next athletic director at Ohio State, interim AD R.C. Slocum began his search.

After Ross Bjork departed College Station in January to become the next athletic director at The Ohio State University, interim AD R.C. Slocum began searching for Texas A&M‘s next director of athletics.

According to a report on Wednesday morning from Brent Zwerneman, Aggies writer for the Houston Chronicle, Texas A&M chose Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts as its next AD. That report was immediately confirmed by Yahoo Sports college football writer Ross Dellenger.

Sources close to ESPN college football senior writer Pete Thamel said the contract offer is pretty lucrative. The deal is reportedly for five years and would make Alberts not only one of the highest paid ADs in the SEC but also among the top 10 in the nation.

Following Zwerneman’s report, his colleague Greg Rajan shared an entertaining anecdote. Remember when ESPN senior NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper went off on the Indianapolis Colts for passing on quarterback Trent Dilfer in the 1994 draft? Well, the player they drafted was Alberts.

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‘A whirlwind of epic proportion’: Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko chats with ESPN’s Pete Thamel

“I don’t know that you can describe taking a job on the day that the portal window opens, two weeks before signing day with no staff, right?”

Back in 1998, 21-year-old Mike Elko was finishing his playing career as a safety for Penn University of the Ivy League.

That same year, the Texas A&M football team won the Big 12 Championship led by R.C. Slocum. 26 years later, Elko is head coach of the Aggies, Slocum is interim director of athletics and Texas A&M hasn’t won a conference title since.

The Aggies joined the SEC in 2012 and have yet to appear in a conference championship game. In 2020, Texas A&M finished No. 5 in the nation and was left on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff with Jimbo Fisher at the helm and Elko as defensive coordinator.

Last month, Elko sat down for an extensive Q&A with ESPN college football senior writer & insider Pete Thamel. Junior starting quarterback Conner Weigman, new offensive coordinator & quarterback coach Collin Klein and Notre Dame senior QB Riley Leonard were among the topics of discussion.

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Social media reacts to Jay Bateman being the next Texas A&M defensive coordinator

Texas A&M is set to hire Florida ILB coach as the program’s new defensive coordinator

News broke via TexAgs on Thursday morning that Texas A&M is in the process of hiring Florida’s assistant coach Jay Bateman to be the new defensive coordinator for the Aggies.

After coach Mike Elko mentioned in his press conference on Wednesday that we could expect a hire soon, rumors started to swirl. The name that came up the most was the former Aggie linebacker coach and current Duke defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci.

We know how the internet can be, and the Santucci hate was abundant and unwarranted. Now, with the Bateman, some of the same people are still complaining.

With Elko being a defensive coach, the thought behind the hire really came down to how good of a fit Bateman would be within Elko’s system and the staff. Granted, Bateman has been up and down with his success, but he is known mainly for turning around a struggling Army defense and being named as a 2018 Broyles Award finalist.

It’s not the splash hire fans might have wanted, but Elko seemed more interested in building a grounded staff that can recruit and will jell with the university. But like everything in life, not everyone will agree with everything that someone does, and social media gave us a taste of both sides.