Section B · Page 12
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 17, 1998
BIG 12
Aggies not taking schedule lightly
1997 Record: 9-4
Coach: R.C. Slocum, 10th season,
83-25-2a TEAx A&M
By Matthew Friedrichs Kansan sports editor
Returning offensive starters: 8
Returning defensive starters: 6
Key Players: Quarterback Brandon Stewart; Inebacker Dat Nguyen
The road back to the Big 12 Conference Championship begins in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and ends in Austin.
in Austin,
Texas.
For Texas A&M, defending the Southern Division title will not be easy.
The Aggies play Florida State on Aug. 31 in the Kickoff Classic.
Coach R.C.
Slocum said the game had provided extra motivation for
Slocum: Says playin Florida will motivate team.
his players to prepare themselves.
"We are not going to roll out there and be in awe of Florida State." Slocum said. "We have a tremendous respect for them."
Dat Nguyen, Aggie linebacker and defensive leader, welcomes the challenge.
"It's going to be good for us," Nguyen said. "Especially for me and the senior class. We are down to a fair amount of games in our colle
glate career. It's another one that you get to play."
Last year, the Aggies won state bragging rights and a chance to play Nebraska with a 27-16 victory against the Longhorns at home, but this year, they must win on the road.
The challenge for Texas A&M, will be for all teams that play Texas, will be to contain running back Ricky Williams.
"He might be the best athlete I've played against," Nguyen said.
If the Aggles survive their difficult schedule and win consecutive Southern Division titles, they will have to face the winner of the Northern Division in the championship game in St. Louis.
Despite a loss to Nebraska in the championship game last year, quarterback Branndon Stewart said the team could compete if it qualified for the game.
"We want to prove that the South has some good teams." Stewart said.
The Aggies are favored to win the South, but like most coaches, Slocum is not a big believer in predictions.
"We recognize what those things are this time of year, just predictions," Slocum said.
He touts the other teams the Aggies will have to play in the coming months.
"I think it's going to be competitive, and I certainly don't see us being way out in front of anybody in the South," Slocum said. "I think we are right in there with them. There are two or three teams that could easily win."
Cowboys push to continue winning ways
Coach: Bob Simmons, fourth season, 7-18 at Oklahoma State Key Players: Quarterback Tony Lindsay; linebacker Kenyatta Wright
1997 Record: 8-4
Returning offensive starters: 8
Returning defensive starters: 9
By Matthew Friedrichs
Kansan sports editor
Oklahoma State had not been to a bowl game since 1988 when running back Barry Sanders and receiver Hart Lee Dykes led the Cowboys offense.
But third-year coach Bob Simmons had a plan for the 1997 season. After surprising Big 12 opponents Texas and Colorado and the rest of the nation with a six-game winning streak at the opening of the season, Oklahoma capped off the season with a trip to the Builders Square Alamo Bowl.
The season-ending loss could not dampen spirits in Stillwater, and it did not contribute to Simmons nearly fatal illness — he received a kidney transplant 10 days before spring practice.
Last season's miracles are behind him, and the Cowboys have higher
goals now.
Simmons: Wants to prove last season was not a fluke.
will be an important player in
future Cowboy championships runs.
The sophomore earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors by passing for 1,172 yards, nine touchdowns and only three interceptions in his first nine games.
Oklahoma State will be challenged early. The team plays Nebraska Oct. 3 in Kansas City, Mo.
"I have to keep improving." Lindsay said. "I don't expect that just for me but from the whole team as well."
Simmons will look for the best in his returning starters and his new players to prove that last season was not a fluke.
Texas coach wants to rule the South
1997 Record: 4-7
Coach: Mack Brown, first season
Key Players: Ricky Williams, senior tailback:
Richard Walton, senior quarterback
Returning offensive starters: 8
Returning defensive starters: 9
By Matthew Friedrichs
Kansan sports editor
Mack Brown has taken the steer by the horns at one of the nation's most storied football programs, but it does not take an experienced cowboy to know what ___
nation's most storied robotic program an experienced cowboy to know what Texas has to do to be successful this year.
"There are signs in Austin that say,
'Give it to Ricky 40 times Mack, you idiot'
"Brown said.
And the new Longhops coach, who won 10 games in each of his last two seasons at North Carolina, does not disagree with the advice.
Ricky Williams is a leading candidate for the Heisman trophy. His decision not to skip his senior season for the NFL draft and his running ability could carry Texas, one of the
winningest all-time programs with 717 victories, back above 500 and to a bowl game.
Brown knows that the pressure to win will be intense because fans have scrutinized his every move since he arrived in the state.
He made it clear immediately that the seniors were part of the plan.
One of those seniors, Dusty Renfro, said the confidence and commitment of the new coaching staff was evident right away.
Brown: Begins his first season with the Longhorns.
Williams, who returned without any coaxing by Brown, has seen the change too.
ins coaching staff is a lot younger and more intense in everything we do as far as practicing and working out, and I think that is the biggest difference." Williams said.
Brown has his players aiming for the top, starting with a first-place finish in the Southern Division of the conference.
Even with Williams, however, Texas will be challenged. An inexperienced quarterback and a defense that allowed more than 400 vards a game last year could hurt the team.
Brown is confident that he can round up enough talent to compete and eventually have a shot at the national championship.
"When you win the Big 12 Championship, it puts you in a position to win the national championship," Brown said. "And that is something that every conference in the country would like to have."
Media preseason football poll
North
2. Kansas State
3. Colorado
1. Nebraska
2. Kansas State
3. Colorado
5. Kansas
6. Iowa State
South
1. Texas A&M
2. Oklahoma State
3. Texas
4. Texas Tech
5. Oklahoma
6. Baylor
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