Thanks to Sam Wasson of bleedCRIMSON.net for taking the time to speak with me about this Saturday’s season opener for the Longhorns and New Mexico State Aggies. Game time is set for 7pm at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns are around a 43 point favorite on most boards.
Whisenant:Â How has the program changed so far under Doug Martin, and has his goal of trying to get the community and football team together been working? Is this going to be a different program than the one considered the worst in the country under DeWayne Walker?
Wasson: Every coach that comes into New Mexico State has the stated goal of trying to tie the football program and the community together. It’s a tall task for whichever head coach is in charge because 60-plus years of losing is hard to overcome. That being said, Doug Martin has been very well received in the community, though that isn’t much different than how DeWayne Walker was received in the community. Until he coaches his first game, first rivalry game, first season, etc., he’ll be atop the pedestal among New Mexico State football fans. His success (or lack thereof) will determine whether he stays there or not.
As is always the case with a head coaching change, there is hope that the perpetual losing will end. There are many factors that have contributed to the lack of success at New Mexico State, however, a lack of coaching quality has not been one of them. It’s impossible to imagine that every single coach that has come through Las Cruces has been a “bad coach” and that includes DeWayne Walker (who landed on his feet in the NFL and every year while at New Mexico State was mentioned for other positions whether it was in the NFL or in the college ranks.
Whisenant: You guys were headed toward permanent independence until the Sun Belt came calling, and many thought it was best for you and Idaho to return to the FCS ranks. Was that every seriously considered?
Wasson: I don’t believe that dropping to FCS football was ever seriously considered at New Mexico State. Obviously dropping down is a better option than dropping football altogether but New Mexico State would have probably tried to survive as an independent for as long as was financially feasible before even considering dropping to FCS.
Whisenant: The 2013 recruiting class was, from an outside perspective, one of the better ones New Mexico State has signed lately. How many of those guys can we expect to see Saturday night?
Wasson: It may be a bit of a stretch to call this one of the better New Mexico State signing classes, however, there are a couple of standouts among the group. Historically, the first recruiting class that accompanies a new head coach at New Mexico State has not yielded a large number of contributors and whether that holds form remains to be seen. That being said, there are a few players that could find significant playing time this season. Whether or not they play on Saturday against Texas remains to be seen. One that will see time for sure is Willie Mobley, a defensive lineman who transferred from Arizona for his senior season. A few other names to watch for are: cornerback Winston Rose, defensive end Kalei Auelua, backup quarterback King Davis III, defensive lineman Mason Russell, cornerback Thomas Warren, and wide receiver Jordan Bergstrom.
Whisenant: Where has this team made the most improvement since last year?
Wasson: The biggest strides have been made on the offensive side of the ball. Last year’s offense was dreadful, in fact it was painful to watch. With the return of Doug Martin and the hiring of Greg Brandon as his offensive coordinator, the Aggie offense figures to be much more exciting and dynamic than it was last season.
Whisenant: Who are the New Mexico State players you expect to have the biggest impact in the game?
Wasson: UT fans should be on the lookout for running back Germi Morrison who was one of the lone bright spots on the offensive side of the ball last season, senior quarterback Andrew McDonald who is getting a chance to show what he’s capable of after riding the pine all of last season, the aforementioned defensive lineman Willie Mobley, defensive lineman Matt Ramondo who sat out last season after transferring from Michigan State and the Aggies also return a veteran secondary. Another player to be on the lookout for is Aggie punter Cayle Chapman-Brown. We expect a lot of punting from the Aggies in this game and Chapman-Brown could be one of the better punters in the country.
Whisenant: If you could choose one of our players to have for your squad, who would it be?
Wasson: Just one? Maybe we could take them all? All kidding aside, the Aggies could use a dependable wide receiver like a Jaxon Shipley this season. The Aggies lost their standout wide receiver Austin Franklin due to poor grades. He’s redshirting this season after garnering national attention last year with 74 receptions for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns. Which wide receivers will step up to fill those shoes is the question of the hour.
Whisenant: Â Give us your thoughts on Mack Brown and the direction of the Texas program since 5-7
Wasson: It’s often very funny to see other teams’ fans up in arms about a 5-7 record. The New Mexico State fan base would be thrilled with a 5-7 record most season. The last time the Aggies won that many games was 2004 (5-6). Sure, Mack Brown has set high expectations at Texas, in particular after the Longhorns won the BCS title and there certainly has been a drop off since that championship, however, it appears that the Texas program is on the rise again. We’d point out that not too long ago (2003 and 2004) Alabama was 4-9 and 6-6 and they’re now coming off back-to-back BCS titles. Mack Brown is a fine coach and if you don’t want him, we’re pretty sure there are plenty of programs that will snatch him right up!
Whisenant: Looking at the Texas defense, given the fundamental problems the unit had last year, where do you think the Aggies can exploit weaknesses.
Wasson: Having just watched a replay of the 2012 Valero Alamo Bowl in which the Longhorn defense sacked Oregon State’s quarterbacks ten times, it would appear that the fundamental problems that Texas had on that side of the ball are a distant memory. Unless the Horns have reverted back to the early half of 2012 defense that took the field (and couldn’t tackle to save their lives) there may not be much exploitation going on by the Aggie offense.
Whisenant: Â What must the Aggies do to keep this game close?
Wasson: Let the air out of the tires of the Texas team busses before they leave their hotel? As much as we’d like to be optimistic and say that the Aggies can keep this game close, it’s just not going to happen. The Aggies would have to dominate time of possession and keep UT’s offense off the field while at the same time protecting Andrew McDonald. If the Aggies can play ball control offense either through the run game or the short-to-intermediate passing game, then the Aggies can hang around for a quarter or two but that’s being very optimistic.
Whisenant: Â Give us a score prediction.
Wasson: The Aggies and Longhorns have met four times with the Longhorns winning all four times by an average score of roughly 54-14. Just once, in 1998, have the Aggies scored more than a touchdown against UT’s defense (somehow the Aggies scored 36). We don’t see much changing from those previous games and we think the Longhorns are out to make a statement in 2013. Our prediction: Texas 65, New Mexico State 7.
For more on the New Mexico State program, check out bleedCRIMSON.net, or on Twitter @AgsBleedCrimson. Â Sam will join The Orange Report on Wednesday at 8:15 to talk a little more of the game this week.