For all of the talk about Texas A&M becoming an emerging program poised to contend with Oklahoma and Texas next season in the Big 12 South Division, the Aggies’ 44-20 loss to Georgia in the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl should act as a cold reminder they aren't ready to challenge for a division title yet.

Jerrod Johnson and most of his offensive weapons will be back next season. But the Aggies have substantial work on both defense and special teams before they can think about challenging the Longhorns or the Sooners.

Johnson showed flashes in the loss, but still had trouble moving the ball against a supposedly suspect defense that was missing three assistant coaches including its defensive coordinator. That Georgia defense still rose up to turn A&M away on 10 of 16 third-down plays and on both fourth-down attempts. The junior quarterback must be much more consistent in 2010 if he has hopes of challenging for the Heisman Trophy in 2010.

The A&M defense played well for about 40 minutes before finally wearing down after allowing four scoring drives on possessions of 40 yards or less. That was the backbreaker as the Bulldogs blew the game open with 30 straight points after A&M had tied the score early in the third quarter.

Some could look at how the Aggies permitted only 67 rushing yards on Georgia’s first 24 carries. But others could see how they were exposed for 141 rushing yards on their last 16 carries to blow the game open at the end.

The Aggies allowed 40 or more points in three of their last four games. A&M ended up allowing 33.5 points per game this season, with eight of their last 10 games including the Aggies’ conference foes and SEC opponents Arkansas and Georgia.

The biggest gaffes on Monday were reserved for special teams. The Aggies allowed their second critical kickoff return for a touchdown in their last two games. Their punt team was an adventure with a blocked punt and another snap that sailed over the punter’s head. Throw in a blocked field goal and a botched attempt that turned a 48-yard field goal into a punt. Those miscues directly led to 24 Georgia points.

The Aggies finished the season at 6-7. It was better than last season. They received the benefit of bowl practices for the young players.

But the way they collapsed in the second half of Monday’s bowl game will stick with them for a long time – and shows they still have an extensive period of improvement needed to jump back among the Big 12 contenders.