Texas A&M Aggies: High Stakes in 2009

Why is it so important for the Aggies to pull out of this slump?  The Aggies do not want to take Baylor's place as the whipping boy of the Big XII.  It is pivotal for Texas A&M to right the ship because they are going to fall further and further behind the rest of the Big XII South.  The most important issue is the recruiting battle between the South schools for the top high school players in the South. Since the good ole' days of the Southwest Conference are long gone, the Aggies are finding the gap narrowing between them and schools like T.C.U., Baylor, and Oklahoma State. Without the recruits, which correlates to future success against Big XII South opponents, the Aggies can bet on struggling through the next few seasons.  Since 2002 the Aggies have gone a combined 13–22 against the South Division of the Big XII, with nine of the only 13 wins coming against Baylor and Oklahoma State.  Since R.C. Slocum's departure after the 2002 season, the Aggies have ... (link)