Even though a win is a win, the Texas A&M Aggies looked positively awful against the Army Black Knights and Dennis Franchione was out coached yet again. As per usual in the Dennis Franchione era, the missing in action Aggie (lack of) defense almost lost the game. Mr. Franchione made the best call he could late in the game on a fourth and one at the Texas A&M 30 yard line. Giving the ball to Jorvorskie Lane was Mr. Franchione’s only option, which would have worked if the offensive line held. Gary Darnell’s patented Pink Shirts (lack of) defense was certainly not up to the task of preventing an Army touchdown. The Pink Shirts did manage to hold, however this was more the fault of the Black Knights’ incompetent offense than an outstanding Aggie defensive effort.

fire franchione

Last week, I did not call for Mr. Franchione’s firing, as the offense seemed to be in decent shape. Sadly, Army proved the Texas A&M offense is lacking.

fire darnell

Mr. Darnell should never have been hired in the first place. As predicted two weeks ago on Propeller Skies, all four of the following defensive categories tracked got worse:

• Average points allowed per game trended upward to 11.3, while the number of points scored increased from 7 to 24;
• Pass defense increased to 93.7 yards allowed per game - good for 1st in the Big 12, however, this is a function of poor opposing quarterbacks and not a solid Aggie defense;
• Rush defense is even worse than last week, with 151.7 yards allowed per game - again good for 11th in the Big 12; and
• Total yards allowed increased to 245.3 - good for 4th in the Big 12, two spots lower than last week.

Conference play is going to be a motherfucker.