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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Dennis Franchione (4th season, 16-19) 2005 record: 5-6 Big 12 finish: 3-5 (4th South) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 10th (234.9 ypg) Passing: 78th (207.4 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 43rd (139.2 ypg) Passing: 117th (304.6 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 The Citadel Sept. 9 UL Lafayette Sept. 16 #Army Sept. 23 Louisiana Tech Sept. 30 Texas Tech Oct. 7 at Kansas Oct. 14 Missouri Oct. 21 at Oklahoma State Oct. 28 at Baylor Nov. 4 Oklahoma Nov. 11 Nebraska Nov. 24 at Texas #San Antonio TX Depth Chart: Offense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 14 Chad Schroeder Sr. 5 Howard Morrow So. WR 17 Tydrick Riley Sr. 8 Kerry Franks Jr. WR 2 Earvin Taylor Jr. 6 Pierre Brown So. QT 71 Yemi Babalola So. 72 Alex Kotzur Sr. QG 64 Kirk Elder Jr. 78 Michael Shumard Fr. C 70 Cody Wallace Jr. - Kevin Matthews Fr. SG 77 Grant Dickey Sr. 51 Chris Yoder Jr. ST 54 Corey Clark Jr. 73 Travis Schneider So. TE 3 Martellus Bennett So. 81 Joey Thomas Jr. QB 7 Stephen McGee So. 19 Ty Branyon Sr. TB 25 Courtney Lewis Sr. 11 Jorvorskie Lane So. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 92 Chris Harrington Jr. 89 Jason Jack Jr. DT 35 Bryce Reed Sr. 95 Henry Smith Jr. DT 85 Red Bryant Jr. 94 Marques Thornton Sr. DE 11 Michael Bennett So. 49 Cyril Obiozor So. LB - Mark Dodge Jr. 29 Stephen Hodge Jr. LB 10 Justin Warren Sr. 41 Matt Featherston Fr. ROV 48 Arkeith Brown So. 30 Chevar Bryson Fr. CB 4 Danny Gorrer So. 27 Jordan Peterson Fr. CB 40 Marquis Carpenter Jr. - Marcus Gold Fr. SS 33 Melvin Bullitt Sr. 16 Alton Dixon So. FS 28 Japhus Brown Jr. 26 Devin Gregg So. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 32 Layne Neumann Sr. P 44 Justin Brantly So. KR 8 Kerry Franks Jr. PR 5 Jordan Chambless So.

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Sitting inside his sprawling office atop the Bright Football Complex, Texas A&M head coach Dennis Franchione leans back and instinctively grimaces when asked to recall the details of 2005.

The injury report last season was more a novel instead of a press release note, as eight A&M players were lost to season-ending injuries. Among scholarship players, the Aggies lost more than 70 combined games because of injuries.

Emotional scars, however, may have been even more painful than the physical wounds. After a 5-2 start, the Aggies dropped their last four games, including blowout losses at home against Iowa State and on the road at Texas Tech. The end result was a 5-6 season that included more dubious distinctions than memorable moments. For example, the traditionally defensive-dominant Aggies finished 107th nationally in total defense and 94th in scoring defense. And among the 117 Division I-A schools, no one was worse against the pass than Texas A&M.

"You don't forget the frustrations of last year," says Franchione, who is now entering his fourth year as the Aggies' head coach. "I couldn't if I tried. I may never forget watching Chad Schroeder go down [with a broken leg]. He was the fourth wide receiver we lost for the year, and I remember thinking, 'When will this ever end?' So, no, I haven't forgotten last year, and our players haven't forgotten, either.

"But I don't have to bring it up with them for motivational purposes. They're already motivated, and they're accountable. Besides, this is a different team with a different makeup, and it needs to be handled differently."

Indeed, "different" is the definitive word for the 2006 Aggies, beginning with the coaching staff. Franchione hired four new assistants, including defensive coordinator Gary Darnell and secondary coaches Bill Clay and Van Malone. The Aggies will also feature a new 4-2-5 defensive alignment and a new starting quarterback, Stephen McGee.

So, will all the differences from last year lead to different results in the win-loss column? Only time will tell.

OFFENSE

A Texas A&M offense that ranked 17th nationally by averaging 442.27 yards per game last season could be even better. Yes, the Aggies' all-time leading passer, Reggie McNeal, has departed, but sophomore McGee is a talented passer, a strong runner and appears to be an even better leader.

"He has more fun playing and charging up others than anybody on the field," says Franchione.

The Aggies feature numerous possibilities in the backfield, as last season's top two tailbacks, Courtney Lewis and Jorvorskie Lane, return. A&M also welcomes blue-chip true freshman Mike Goodson -- who was arguably the top high school running back prospect in Texas -- into the mix at tailback.

Perhaps the best news for McGee is that Tydrick Riley, Earvin Taylor and Chad Schroeder return after being injured last year, giving A&M a potentially explosive receiving corps. McGee's arsenal also includes one of the best all-around athletes on the roster: tight end Martellus Bennett.

Franchione is particularly pleased with the development of his offensive line, which returns four starters in Yemi Babalola, Corey Clark, Kirk Elder and Cody Wallace. That unit helped the Aggies finish in the top 20 nationally in fewest sacks allowed last year.

DEFENSE

Some of the Aggies' struggles in pass defense -- where A&M ranked 117th in the nation last season -- were due to a lack of applying consistent pressure up front. That must change for the Aggies to make major defensive strides.

Junior Chris Harrington was probably the most consistent defensive lineman last year, and he should be a steady force this season. But the Aggies need a bigger (and healthier) year from Red Bryant and Jason Jack, who possess star potential if they can stay healthy and play up to their capabilities.

Linebacker Justin Warren is a legitimate first-team All-Big 12 prospect who can make plays from one sideline to the other. The other starting spot in new coordinator Gary Darnell's 4-2-5 alignment will likely be manned by junior college transfer Mark Dodge.

There's nowhere to go but up for the secondary, and the healthy return of Japhus Brown at safety could solidify things in a hurry. Melvin Bullitt and Devin Gregg also appear to be playmakers at safety, while speedy cornerbacks Marquis Carpenter and Danny Gorrer have lockdown potential.

SPECIALISTS

The Aggies hope that either Layne Neumann or Richie Bean can fill the shoes -- or the foot -- of four-year placekicker Todd Pegram. A&M is also looking for a dependable return specialist after finishing 109th nationally in kickoff returns. The one proven area on the special teams is punter Justin Brantly, who broke Shane Lechler's freshman school record by averaging 43.2 yards per kick.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Injury-riddled Texas A&M took a step backward in 2005, going from the Cotton Bowl to no bowl. With a favorable non-conference schedule, however, the '06 Aggies should come close to matching last year's win total before Big 12 play. A&M will be criticized for its non-conference scheduling, but it could provide a vital confidence boost.

With a little seasoning, McGee and the offense could be sensational. But can the Aggies stop anyone? Only time will tell, but A&M does possess enough offensive firepower to return to a bowl. Whether or not it will be a New Year's Day affair will depend on how much defensive improvement can be made.