ESPN College Football

It's Moving Day No. 2 on the blog network today, and the Aggies are following Missouri out the door into the SEC blog today. We introduced the Aggies to the SEC earlier, but now it's time to debate.

The Aggies' move to the SEC was more about having the program grow in brand-new soil, whereas Missouri's move was more about conference stability.

Will the Aggies thrive? SEC blogger Chris Low and Big 12 blogger David Ubben go head to head to find out.

Chris Low: OK, David, let's not tiptoe around. This is a big-boy conference in the SEC with big-boy stakes. I know everything is supposedly bigger in the state of Texas, but do the Aggies really know what they're getting themselves into? For one, they tend to play all four quarters in the SEC. Judging by what I saw from the Aggies last season, somebody might want to remind them that there is a second half. Come to think of it, that's not very hospitable of me. I take that back. But, honestly, how do you think the Aggies will handle the grind of this league?

David Ubben: Now, now, Chris, that's not very nice. The Aggies are ...

As one final tribute to Texas A&M, I elected to forfeit the second half of that sentence.

In the early running, Texas A&M's going to have a lot of issues. Losing the volume and quality of talent they did in 2011 will hurt, especially on offense, as the program moves into a league -- and, particularly, a division -- known for defense. Ryan Tannehill wasn't great last year, but his experience helped, and Jeff Fuller and Cyrus Gray are a pair of NFL players that don't roll around every year.

I like the talent on campus at A&M a lot, though. They're just going to be young for now. With what they have now, they'll get better and better, as long as Kevin Sumlin does well. Based on what we've seen from his career, I think he will.

Beyond these first three to four years, how well they progress will depend on recruiting. The Aggies think the SEC will be a big draw for Texas recruits who want to play in the best conference in college football. Being able to offer that could help them surpass Texas on the recruiting trail and on the field.

Are you buying that? I strongly lean toward no, but I could see it happening. What do you think? Is playing in the SEC going to be a draw for Texas kids? Why or why not?

CL: I absolutely think the SEC will be a draw for some Texas recruits who see it as a chance to stay in the state and still play their college football and also be able to do it against SEC competition. That's a pretty sweet proposition: Stay close to home in the football-crazed state of Texas and compete in the football-crazed SEC, which has a standing order with the sculptor who designs that crystal trophy every year for the BCS national champion.

There's also another side to this story. The boys in the SEC think their chances of going deep into the heart of Texas and landing elite prospects are better than ever with Texas A&M joining the league. Rival coaches can tell mamas and daddies (that's the way the Bear used to say it) that they'll be able to keep up with their sons just like they were in the Big 12 with the Aggies now part of the SEC family, although the recruiting atmosphere in this league isn't very family-oriented. Just ask Urban Meyer. He got so tired of the recruiting shenanigans in the SEC that he's now pulling his own in the Big Ten, according to some of his new brethren there.

That leads me to my next question: Has anybody informed the Aggies that the rules are a little different in the SEC? Unlike the Big 12, it's not the first team to 40 points that wins.

DU: For the record, the league changed those rules for Baylor-Washington in the Alamo Bowl. First to 60 wins now, but that's irrelevant news for the Aggies.

A&M's front seven's actually been really good these past two years, but this year, it was the secondary that let the team down. The Aggies led the nation with 51 sacks, but the team wasn't happy that it took a lot of risky blitzes to get those sacks. The defensive line wasn't the unit applying the pressure most often — it was linebackers and defensive backs. That meant a lot of big plays in the passing game; the Aggies ranked 109th nationally in pass defense, giving up more than 275 yards a game. Now, they won't see the same caliber of quarterbacks in the SEC, but we will see if the front seven can handle the power of teams in the SEC West, which, to their credit, do have a handful of quarterbacks with a lot of potential. Tyler Wilson's great now. AJ McCarron and Kiehl Frazier could be elite soon.

We'll see what new defensive coordinator Mark Snyder can fix.

On the flip side of the recruiting debate, how much do you think SEC teams will try and slide into Texas? Could we see some collateral damage in the Big 12? Will the SEC one day take over the world? I heard Nicolas Sarkozy already has a special security detail in place in case Mike Slive comes after him.

CL: I'm not sure about taking over the world. It's just college football that the SEC one day would like to own. Some might suggest it already does.

Arkansas and LSU will probably be helped the most in terms of going into Texas and getting players. Other schools in the SEC might be more apt to target players in the state of Texas and make a push for those select players, but I don't think you're going to suddenly see a mass of teams in the SEC setting up camp in Texas on the recruiting trail. There's no need to when you look at how bountiful the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina are in most years.

You mention some of the quarterbacks in the Western Division. It's fair to say that this wasn't a quarterback's league this season, and I also realize that the Big 12 has produced some quarterbacks over the last few years who've put up Xbox-type numbers.

But my question for you: Is Texas A&M capable of playing the kind of defense it takes to win big in the SEC?

DU: I think so, eventually. They know they have to, which is huge. They've seen how teams succeed in the SEC, and it's with defense.

If you invest in something, especially with the resources A&M has, good things will happen. Don't forget, the Aggies defense was really, really good last year. The athletes are there. For A&M, it's about putting it together.

CL: With all due respect, "really, really good" on defense in the Big 12 is entirely different than being "really, really good" in the SEC on defense. The more I watch this conference, the more it's ingrained in me that you're never going to win at a high level unless you can run the ball, stop the run and consistently win the turnover battle. Everything else is window dressing. I understand that's not exactly rocket science, but being able to run the ball creates a mindset that positively impacts your entire team. The same goes for playing good run defense.

So if I were offering any advice to the Aggies as they make the big jump, it would be to fortify their offensive backfield and recruit like crazy in the offensive and defensive lines. There's no such thing as too much depth in the SEC.

Having a little Texas flavor in the SEC is exciting. I know you're on record as saying the Aggies might struggle next season. But over time, I think they have what it takes to be an upper-echelon team in the SEC. Of course, that's the beauty of the SEC. So does everybody else in the league.

DU: Oh, there's no respect due when we're talking Big 12 defenses. The best in the SEC are on another stratosphere from the best in the Big 12.

Your game plan sounds like what I'd recommend, but it's easier said than done. Like Mizzou, A&M will have to start mining some of those junior colleges down south like the rest of the SEC West.

Generally, I'd agree with you on A&M's long-term prospects. The Aggies will win less than they did in the Big 12 ... which is to say not much. But they could put it together and have a huge year every now and then. I don't see them surpassing Texas as a program, but they're on their own now.

For some Aggies, that's enough. Next year, the Aggies will struggle, but watching them grow and try to build a new program will be fascinating.

We're taking a look at what each program in the Big 12 needs to deal with during the offseason, whether it be in the spring, summer or fall preseason camp. Maybe all three! Who knows?

Next up: The Texas A&M Aggies.

1. Find a quarterback. Ryan Tannehill's gone, and the Aggies look like they've got a suitable replacement: Jameill Showers. But do they? We'll probably know by spring. Johnny Manziel and Matt Joeckel will be there to push Showers, and him winning the job is no sure thing. So, who will it be? Showers throws one of the prettiest balls you'll ever see, but playing QB for A&M requires a whole lot more than just a tight spiral. Now's his chance to prove himself.

2. Figure out what works and what won't in the SEC. Maybe the Aggies could call Nebraska? Texas A&M and Oklahoma were probably the two Big 12 teams best built to compete against the SEC style of play, with versatile, physical offenses and lots of speed on defense. New coach Kevin Sumlin ran a lot of pro sets back at Oklahoma, but was best known for his wide-open, spread attack at Houston.

3. Change the mindset, forget 2011. Texas A&M loses a lot of talent from its 2011 team, namely Tannehill and running back Cyrus Gray, plus three starters in the secondary. Still, the remnants of this year could easily affect next year's team. In a close game late, confidence is a must. Believing you can win games. The Aggies will be in a lot of tight ones in the SEC. It won't be easy, but A&M has to figure out a way to put all the late-game failures of 2011 behind it. A big early-season win would help a lot. So will having an all-new coaching staff. Will it mean results?

Hi, my name is George. I'm unemployed and I live with my parents.

• Kansas AD Sheahon Zenger offered a brief comment on the Brock Berglund situation on Monday night, before the Jayhawks' game against Texas A&M. "This is a teachable moment for everyone involved," Zenger said. "And it’s about the fact that there is a right way to exit a program."
• The Aggies' regents gave president R. Bowen Loftin the power to work toward negotiating a final settlement with the Big 12.
• How does Oklahoma's new network differ from the Longhorn Network?
• Baylor swiped a quarterback from Kansas' recruiting class. He's a dual-threat passer from Garland, Texas. Colleague Damon Sayles has the story.
• Mizzou is at the SEC headquarters today for transition meetings.
• Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has just one spot left to fill on his staff.
• Matthew Reagan of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tells the story of a new Longhorn who has played through a tragedy as a young boy.
• Could Missouri TE Michael Egnew be the next Jimmy Graham?
• Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more on Egnew in Mobile, Ala. this week at the Senior Bowl.
• Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times looks at how realignment's changed the recruiting game.

Penn State's legendary coach and college football's all-time wins leader, Joe Paterno, died on Sunday, just 73 days after being dismissed as the Nittany Lions' coach.

He influenced a lot of people, including those in the Big 12. Several issued statements in the wake of Paterno's death.

Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville:

"When you think of college football and its tradition, you can't help but picture those dark glasses, black shoes and plain uniforms that were his style and mark on Penn State University.

I have had the great fortune to coach against Coach Paterno four times during my career and each time I came away from those contests with a greater understanding of the game of football. A true highlight of my career, has been a 30-year relationship with Coach and his wife Sue.

Like many coaches, I grew up watching and learning from one of the greatest tutors and mentors of the game. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing and wish to extend my condolences to Sue and the rest of the Paterno family."

You may have seen Mack Brown's thoughts, too.

"I've known Coach Paterno since I started coaching. Sally and I built a great relationship with him and Sue over the last 10 to 15 years, and we shared many great times. I know our lives are better because we had the opportunity to spend time with them. He was a gift to us, and when we heard the sad news today, we both openly wept, not only because college football lost a great man, but we lost a great friend. I appreciate all of the advice, the attention and the time he's given us over the years. We will miss him dearly and will always cherish the wonderful memories. College football will be left with a major void because he has done so much for our game and for Penn State. It's a very sad day, and with his passing, we have lost one of the greatest coaches our game, and all sports, will ever have. He leaves us with great stories, memories and records that may never be broken. There will never be another Joe Paterno. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and the family."

Nebraska AD Tom Osborne's athletic program is not in the Big 12 anymore, but his roots run in that league and the Big 8 far more than they do in the Huskers' current league, the Big Ten, where Paterno coached. Osborne's last national title, back in 1997, was the first in Big 12 history.

“I am saddened to hear the news of Joe Paterno’s passing. Joe was a genuinely good person. Whenever you recruited or played against Joe you knew how he operated and that he always stood for the right things. Of course, his longevity over time and his impact on college football is remarkable. Anybody who knew Joe feels badly about the circumstances. I suspect the emotional turmoil of the last few weeks might have played into it. We offer our condolences to his family and wish them the very best.”

Former Texas coach Darrell Royal lost to Paterno in the pair's only meeting back in the 1972 Cotton Bowl, but Royal opened up about what Paterno meant to him.

"What I remember about our days when we were both coaching is that Joe was very honest, he was a heckuva a coach, and he was one of the outstanding coaches of all time. You can't say that about every coach, but you darn sure can say that about Joe Paterno. He meant a lot to the game, and he meant a lot to me. He was a solid person, and a solid friend."

New Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin released a statement as well.

"Our deepest sympathies, as well as our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Paterno's family and the entire Penn State community. I was coaching wide receivers at Minnesota and we were Penn State's first Big Ten Conference game and out of respect for Coach Paterno, our head coach Glen Mason wore a coat and tie coaching in that game. Coach Paterno will be missed."

I never met Joe Paterno. I never covered one of his teams or even spoke with him. The effect he had on others' lives, though, was obvious from afar.

Did he make questionable decisions late in his life? By Paterno's own admission in the final interview of his life, he regrets some of those decisions.

Like any of us, he made mistakes. Unlike most of us, however, he also had a profound positive impact on thousands of lives over his 85 years.

New Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin explains what Dr. King helped the world see.

The bowl season is over, and it's time to pass out a few awards.

Best offensive player: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. Blackmon went nuts against Stanford after the Cowboys were shut out in the first quarter against Stanford. His first two catches went for touchdowns, and he finished with 186 yards on eight grabs and his third three-touchdown game of his career. That was the first time he'd done that since the Tulsa game in 2010, the third game of the season.

Second-best offensive player: Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor. Ganaway ended his career in style, taking plenty of heat off his Heisman-winning quarterback, Robert Griffin III. He scored five touchdowns and ran for 200 yards, leading the way for three Bears 100-yard rushers in the 67-56 win over Washington in the Alamo Bowl.

Best defensive player: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma. Passing? I think not, Iowa. Matched up with NFL-bound, Skycam-attacked Marvin McNutt, Fleming made seven tackles, returned an interception 21 yards and broke up three passes. Well done.

Best team performance: Oklahoma State. The Cowboys got the Big 12's best win of the entire season, knocking off a solid Stanford team and handing Andrew Luck a loss in his final game as a Cardinal. Maybe they got lucky with a missed 35-yard field goal attempt to force overtime, but the Cowboys played well after a shaky first quarter and beat the nation's No. 4 team on a neutral field. Well done.

Best play: Robert Griffin III's post-Heisman "Heisman moment." He somehow backpedalled out of a handful of Washington tacklers, escaped outside and galloped to the pylon, diving into the end zone as he took a big hit before scoring. A big-time play from the Heisman winner for a 24-yard score.

Craziest play: North Carolina's Bryn Renner whipped a strike to Dwight Jones, but a hit jarred it loose. Somehow, it ended up on Jones' shoulder and rolled across his back, staying there long enough for Missouri LB Zaviar Gooden to sprint over and slide in to intercept the pass before it hit the ground.

Scariest play: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa. McNutt was minding his own business in the Iowa huddle. Then the Skycam at Sun Devil Stadium came crashing down and sent McNutt into a panic. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but it was memorable incident. The camera was grounded for the Fiesta Bowl later in the week.

Best out-of-nowhere performance: Colton Chelf, WR, Oklahoma State. Starter Tracy Moore was reportedly suspended, and Chelf filled the void well. He caught just 16 balls in 12 games, but hauled in five for 97 yards in the win over Stanford, including a 24-yarder in overtime that was ruled a touchdown before being reversed and giving way to a game-winning field goal.

Worst performance: Kansas State. It was shocking to see. The Wildcats made too many early mistakes that they hadn't made all year. There was a fumble to give Arkansas an easy three points, a handful of dropped passes, a wave of penalties and an ill-advised punt to Joe Adams that swung the game in favor of the Hogs. Not good, and K-State didn't give itself a chance in the 29-16 loss.

Best handling of distractions: Texas A&M had to deal with the loss of senior offensive lineman Joey Villavisencio, who died in a car crash on his way home for Christmas. It fired coach Mike Sherman earlier. Interim coach Tim DeRuyter left for Fresno State, but stayed to coach the bowl game. The team was prepping for a move to the SEC and playing its bowl game in the home of its new coach, Kevin Sumlin. The Aggies, though, played pretty well against Northwestern and controlled most of the game in the 33-22 win.

Best atmosphere: Cotton Bowl. For a second consecutive year, this bowl takes the cake. K-State and Arkansas fans absolutely packed Cowboys Stadium and cheered loudly from an hour before the game through the entire matchup. A big-time atmosphere for what should be a big-time game.

Welp, this is it. The college football season is over, and two teams have closed up shop in the Big 12. This will be Texas A&M's and Missouri's last time to make an appearance in the Big 12 Power Rankings.

After 14 weeks of the regular season and eight bowl games (the Big 12 went 6-2), here's how the league sits.

1. Oklahoma State (12-1, beat Stanford, 41-38 in overtime): The Cowboys needed some help from Stanford's kicker to get their BCS win, but their spot atop the Big 12 was never at stake. The Cowboys proved themselves as the Big 12's best team throughout the season and beat Stanford to make history. Stillwater's never seen a season like this, and Mike Gundy was rewarded with a $1.6 million raise after the season for his efforts.

2. Kansas State (10-3, lost to Arkansas, 29-16): The Wildcats' Cotton Bowl experience wasn't a fun one after early mistakes, but K-State earned its first double-digit-win season since 2003 and earned the tiebreaker against Baylor on the field. Arkansas, too, is a whole lot better than Washington. This was a disappointing end for the purple folks from the Little Apple, but they bring back almost the entire core of the 2011 team. The Wildcats look like 2012 Big 12 title contenders.

3. Baylor (10-3, beat Washington, 67-56): The Bears put on a show and Terrance Ganaway's 200 yards, along with two other 100-yard rushers, iced the win over the Huskies. That gave Baylor the third 10-win season in school history and the first bowl win since 1992. Now, the big question awaits: Is RG3 gone, or is the allure of one more year in college for the Heisman winner enough to convince him to provide one more memorable season in Waco?

4. Oklahoma (10-3, beat Iowa, 31-14): The Sooners stumbled at the end of the season, but closed it in fine fashion, not playing their best game but soundly beating Iowa. Landry Jones will return. Will former DC and former Arizona coach Mike Stoops? Oklahoma's secondary was a liability this year, and Sooners fans would love to see Bob Stoops' brother put in charge to change it.

5. Missouri (8-5, beat North Carolina, 41-24): Missouri's season wasn't too memorable, but the Tigers rebounded from a 3-4 start to win eight games, including the best offensive performance of the season against the Tar Heels. That gave Mizzou eight wins for a sixth consecutive year. Only a handful of programs have duplicated that feat.

6. Texas (8-5, beat California, 21-10): The Longhorns' defense shut down the Bears and David Ash made a few big throws to make Texas' return to the postseason a good one. Ash has to show he's the guy for Texas moving forward. He'll get more offseason work than he did last year, which may show up in the fall. Freshman Connor Brewer will be joining, but it looks like a juco quarterback won't.

7. Texas A&M (7-6, beat Northwestern, 33-22): The Aggies head to the SEC after the most disappointing season in recent history. A team stocked full of NFL talent and toting a top-10 ranking lost four of its final five Big 12 games, with the only win coming at home over 2-10 Kansas. Now, new coach Kevin Sumlin returns to lead A&M into its new conference after coaching four years at Houston and winning 10 games in two seasons.

8. Iowa State (6-7, lost to Rutgers, 27-13): Paul Rhoads is already only the second coach to win a bowl game at Iowa State, but he couldn't win his second bowl in three years in Ames. Either way, the Cyclones have a good shot to be even better in 2012. Redshirt freshman Jared Barnett showed a lot of promise, and he'll progress during the offseason, even though he was benched in the bowl game for Steele Jantz, who started the season's first half.

9. Texas Tech (5-7, idle): A disappointing season gave way to a tumultuous offseason in Lubbock, with a handful of new assistant coaches and defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow heading back to TCU, who joins the Big 12 next season. The Red Raiders have to be better. Offensively, they were good enough, despite injuries, in 2011. They weren't great, though, like Texas Tech has been. Defensively, they've been awful for both seasons under Tommy Tuberville. Injuries have played a role in that, but improvement starts there.

10. Kansas (2-10, idle): Get ready to see much-needed new blood in Kansas. Turner Gill is out after two terrible seasons and a 2-10 record in 2011 that included six losses by at least 30 points. Now, it's time for Charlie Weis to take over, and he's brought two big quarterbacks and a receiver with him.

Texas A&M and Northwestern will kick off the New Year's Eve action in Houston with a noon ET kickoff at Reliant Stadium in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

Here's a bit of what to expect:

WHO TO WATCH: Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M. The Aggies' backfield has been banged up this year, and it already lost top back Christine Michael to a torn ACL. Gray was sorely missed in a season-ending, heartbreaking loss to Texas after suffering a stress fracture in his shoulder against Kansas. Gray is expected to return, and he's at his best when his team has to use him as the lone featured back. That will likely be the case in this one, and we'll see if he's back to 100 percent after the injury.

WHAT TO WATCH: Texas A&M's second half. You have to, don't you? The Aggies haven't played since Thanksgiving night, but a promising season was ruined by five losses in which the Aggies led by double digits, including early season losses to Oklahoma State and Arkansas in which the Aggies led by 17 and 18 points, respectively, and lost. Coach Mike Sherman was fired because of those losses, and Tim DeRuyter is temporarily in charge before leaving, but we'll see if this season-ruining trend ends.

WHY TO WATCH: Who knows what's going to happen with this team? The talent gap between these two teams is enormous, but the Aggies have underachieved all year. With a month off, a coach gone, another coach leaving and their new coach, Houston's Kevin Sumlin, roaming around practice, it's anyone's guess how this unpredictable bunch responds. It should be a fun one.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 31, Northwestern 21: The Aggies are shaken up, with one coach (Mike Sherman) fired and its interim coach (Tim DeRuyter) getting ready to take over at Fresno State. The Aggies' talent takes over in this one, and Cyrus Gray is expected to return. The Wildcats rebounded later in the season to reach a bowl game, but have only one quality win all season: Nebraska. Texas A&M's talent takes control, and this big lead is safe.

Can't people just cheer by themselves? Like, on their own? To themselves?

• Heads up Big 12 fans: Future member TCU is trying to join the league with a splash in the Poinsettia Bowl tonight vs. Louisiana Tech.
• Those rumors of Oklahoma running back Brennan Clay transferring? False.
• Texas Tech defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow has not been fired, and will not be fired, according to a Texas Tech spokesman, reports Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Former Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist is still weighing his options, and Kansas, with his former coach Charlie Weis, is one of them.
• The Red Raiders may have found their new offensive line coach in College Station.
• Wins don't mean Kansas State will be looking for different types of players on the recruiting trail, writes Kellis Robinett of the Kansas City Star.
• Carrington Byndom and Quandre Diggs turned a question mark in the preseason into a strength for Texas, writes Randy Riggs of the Austin American-Statesman.
• Barring an appeal, it looks like UNC's top receiver will be ineligible against Mizzou in its bowl game.
• It looks like Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray will be back for the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas against Northwestern.
• Aggies coach Tim DeRuyter is trying to balance his two jobs, too, writes Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News.
• Gina Mizell of The Oklahoman looks back on Brandon Weeden's journey from walk-on to superstar.
• In this year's Fiesta Bowl, he'll be taking on a former minor league baseball teammate.
• Former Missouri running back Derrick Washington's assault trial has been delayed.
• Texas LB Keenan Robinson and West Virginia QB Geno Smith are turning heads for NFL scouts.
• Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones has filed his NFL Draft advisory committee paperwork, and is thinking about the league, but undecided. He may be drafted higher next year, writes Travis Haney of The Oklahoman.
• Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin's contract is official.

New Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin was introduced at a news conference on Monday morning in College Station, but that was only the beginning of a whirlwind first week on the job.

The rest of the early afternoon was spent meeting with former Aggies and other school officials in town before meeting with his team at 4 p.m.

After that? Time to recruit. His schedule?

• Monday night: Two in-home visits with Houston-area recruits, the first at 5:45 p.m.
• Tuesday-Wednesday: Recruiting junior college players in Mississippi and Louisiana.
• Thursday: Two in-home visits with Houston-area recruits.
• Friday-Sunday: Hosting recruits on campus for a recruiting weekend in College Station.

Sumlin's life now means finding a balance between his current team in College Station, future (committed but unsigned) team scatted around Texas and abroad and family back in Houston.

"The separation from your family is not nearly as bad as it could be when you’re moving long distances," said Sumlin, noting this move would be much less difficult than his move from Oklahoma to Houston in 2007.

Sumlin's daughter, a freshman in high school, came with her basketball team to see Texas A&M's win over USC on Sunday night. He made the 90-minute drive after the game to take his daughter back to Houston and drove back to Aggieland on Monday morning to begin the dead period before signing day in February.

For now, with his old staff preparing for the TicketCity Bowl and his new team prepping for the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, he's caught in limbo. The Aggies practiced on Saturday, but Sumlin could only sit back and watch as interim coach Tim DeRuyter (defensive coordinator and the new head coach at Fresno State) got bowl preparation underway.

"I’ve really been able to observe and watch practice and kind of evaluate some things," Sumlin said. "There’s a lot of guys out there that I wish were coming back, to be honest with you."

Sumlin says the strength of this team is its offensive line, and he'll get plenty of chances to evaluate when the Aggies play their bowl game, coincidentally back in Sumlin's home of Houston.

"It’ll give me an opportunity to get on back and maybe spend a little more time with my family before this thing gets really crazy and be involved in practice and activities and continue to evaluate where we are with probably a little bit less stress on my family."

For now, Sumlin's caught between a team stocked with seniors and a yet-unhired staff waiting to be assembled. Sumlin, a coach with a history coaching quarterbacks, receivers and coordinating offenses, gets plenty of questions about who his defensive coordinator will be. He's not nearing a hire on that front; he hopes his staff is completed by Jan. 3-4.

"It really doesn’t do us any good right now to hire a bunch of guys, because we’ve got staffs working and we’re in a dead period now," Sumlin said, "so it’s not like guys can go off campus right now and start recruiting."

So, for now, his priority is getting to know his new team, on and off the field. As he works around the facilities, he grabs players for informal, impromptu one-on-one meetings, because "you get a different answer" to questions than if he sets a rigid schedule for his players to spend time with him in his office.

"Change is difficult for anybody. ... Certainly you want people to adapt to you, but as a coach, you have to be sensitive and know that these guys didn’t sign up for you necessarily. They signed up for Texas A&M and the last coach," Sumlin said. "You’ve got to be sensitive to players and change, but you’ve got to push forward and I think as guys get to understand what your expectations are, it becomes easier, but certainly, that doesn’t happen overnight."

Thanks for all the questions this week. The last two have been a little odd without a Saturday of games to look forward to. Here's where you can try with a better question if you didn't make it in this week's Mailbag.

Phillip Shoultz in Bartlesville, Okla., asked: With Landry Jones struggles through much of this season, do you expect him to return next year? I'd have to think he wants another year to show his value to scouts?

David Ubben: Well, let's back it up a bit. Jones wasn't as good in 2011 as he was in 2010, but I don't know if I'd go as far to say he "struggled." He didn't play well in Bedlam; this is clear. He still threw for more than 4,300 yards and 28 touchdowns, though he also had 14 picks. That last number is too high, but only one Big 12 quarterback threw for more yards, and Brandon Weeden and Robert Griffin III were the only Big 12 passers to throw more touchdown passes, despite Jones not having a single TD pass in his final three games. Jones played really well against Baylor and, considering the wind, Iowa State. Coach Bob Stoops lauded his play in that game, and generally I'd agree. His receivers hurt him with drops.

I think he'll end up coming back, and as I wrote earlier this week, he should.

Jones has all the measurables. He's a big guy who has added mass since he was a freshman, and he's got a big arm. His mechanics are solid. He's a smart guy, even if he's not necessarily a fiery leader. That stock would rise once he got to the scouting combine.

But Jones regressed this season, for whatever reason. And he continues to falter in some pretty big moments. The thing that hurts him the most is following Sam Bradford. At another school, Jones would be so, so much more appreciated. But because Bradford is sort of the standard Jones is graded against, it's almost unfair. Weeden and RG3 are the only guys who have been better the past two years, and Jones outperformed RG3 last year.

Johnny in Oklahoma City asked: What about Mike Stoops for DC at TAMU?

DU: Stoops will (and does) have a lot of options, but I wouldn't make that hire if I were Kevin Sumlin. The Aggies need a defensive coordinator with a lot of SEC knowledge. Not a lot of guys on Sumlin's staff at Houston -- or Stoops -- have that. They need a guy that knows how to defend SEC offenses, which are obviously a lot different than what you'd see in the Big 12. They need a guy who knows what pieces are needed on defense to win in the SEC. They need a guy who knows how to scout that talent, and to teach his position coaches and other recruiters how to mine that talent.

Stoops is great, but he's not the right fit for Texas A&M.

D. Bergman in Shawnee, Kan., asked: Ubbs, after seeing some new nick names pop up for Collin Klein I decided to take on a step further and envision it. So here you go, King Kleinonidas.

DU: K-State fans are bringing it hard in the Mailbag the past two weeks. Optimus Klein asked me a question last week, and now this. I'm pretty impressed.

Daniel in Raleigh, N.C., asked: Hey David, I was just accepted to TCU and Baylor, which school will be better to go to for watching football over the next 4 years? I would definitely guess TCU, but if RG3 comes back then Baylor could be pretty fun next year. Also how do these two schools compare to my non Big 12 options over the next four years (University of South Carolina, Florida State, NC State, and SMU) Help me choose my college based on football!

DU: Some tough love here, Daniel: I don't know what's worse — choosing your school based on football, or asking me to help you choose your school based on football.

I've heard Ball So Hard University has a great work-study program, though.

Blake W. in Austin, Texas, asked: Hey David! Great blog and thanks for tweeting too. With all the running back talent expected to be at Texas next year, what are the odds Harsin/Applewhite bring out an option attack in the spring? A little wishbone redux perhaps?

DU: Co-offensive coordinators Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite need to have some creativity. The fact is this: They're going to have a lot of great tailbacks, and not a proven quarterback. This isn't complex. Texas' offensive line was a lot better this season, but the Longhorns need to find a way to get Malcolm Brown, Joe Bergeron and incoming freshman Johnathan Gray all on the field at the same time, and not ask Case McCoy and/or David Ash/incoming freshman Connor Brewer to throw the ball 40-50 times per game. The Longhorns aren't built to win like that.

Maybe it's the wishbone or maybe it's the option. I like Harsin's ability to find a way to make it happen and get those guys on the field. Texas, though, will be a lot better the less it throws the ball. That's just the way its personnel is set up right now, barring a big transfer or someone showing a ton of progress in spring.

We're not done spinning just yet, but if you're a bit lost, here's the changes to the coaching staffs across the Big 12 thus far.

BAYLOR (9-3)

• Out: Receivers coach Dino Babers took the head-coaching job at Eastern Illinois. No replacement named.

IOWA STATE (6-6)

• Out: Offensive coordinator Tom Herman took the offensive coordinator job under Urban Meyer at Ohio State. No replacement named.

KANSAS (2-10)

• Out: Head coach Turner Gill fired. Other staff positions up for discussion.
• In: Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis hired to replace Gill. Akron QB coach Ron Powlus hired to coach quarterbacks. Bishop Miege (KS) coach Tim Grunhard hired to coach offensive line. Running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Reggie Mitchell retained from Gill's staff.

KANSAS STATE (10-2)

• No changes.

MISSOURI (7-5)

• Out: Safeties coach Barry Odom left to become defensive coordinator at Memphis. No replacement named.

OKLAHOMA (9-3)

• No changes.

OKLAHOMA STATE (11-1)

• No changes yet, but OC Todd Monken has drawn interest from several programs.

TEXAS (7-5)

• No changes, though Texas was forced to proactively shoot down rumors of Mack Brown's retirement. Defensive backs coach Duane Akina is also a candidate for the Hawaii job.

TEXAS A&M (6-6)

• Out: Fired coach Mike Sherman. Defensive coordinator/interim coach Tim DeRuyter took head-coaching job at Fresno State but will remain on staff through the bowl game. Other staff positions up for review.
• In: Hired Houston coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin will recruit while the other coaches prepare for the bowl game.

TEXAS TECH (5-7)

• Out: Fired DBs coach Otis Mounds and offensive line coach Matt Moore. Moved defensive line coach Sam McElroy into a non-coaching role on staff.
• In: Hired former Miami DC John Lovett to coach defensive backs and former Ole Miss defensive line coach Terry Price to coach the defensive line. No offensive line replacement named yet.

Two Big 12 jobs came open and have been filled since. Where do they rank in the scale of college football?

Analyst Brock Huard weighed in on ESPN Insider, ranking nine of the most recent hires. Urban Meyer came in at No. 1, but Texas A&M's hire of Kevin Sumlin checked in at No. 3, under the heading of "The ideal fits."

It was paramount for the program to find a coach with established recruiting contacts in Houston and the state of Texas and a charismatic figure who could attempt to infiltrate the recruiting hotbeds of the Southeast.

It would be preferred if that coach had an understanding of the culture and expectations in College Station and a track record of success.

Therefore, Sumlin's the fit. I liked the hire for the Aggies, but like I've said, he's in a difficult spot with a lot to prove. He won't be starved for motivation.

Huard ranked Kansas' hire of Charlie Weis last, at No. 9, calling it a "head-scratcher."

Mark Mangino went 50-48 in eight seasons in Lawrence and was just 23-41 in conference play. If those are the expectations for Weis, who finished 16-21 in his final three years as coach at Notre Dame, then this move is understandable. However, Weis brings a pedigree, name, Super Bowl rings and a resume of success as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator that far exceeds mediocre standards.

This rebuilding job will take significant time. Turner Gill went the developmental route through the recruitment of high school players and the disparity in size, speed and strength on the field was pronounced in 2011. Weis will bring Kansas recognition and conversation, and Jimmy Clausen, Brady Quinn, Matt Cassel and Tom Brady can attest that he knows how to make a quarterback and an offense better.

I'm not quite as down on the Weis hire as most, even if it's pretty easy to see this becoming one that both sides regret. That said, this is a valuable second chance for Weis at a place that couldn't be more different than Notre Dame. Maybe the results are different this time around, too.

Both Big 12 coaching vacancies have been filled. Charlie Weis replaced Turner Gill at Kansas and Kevin Sumlin replaced Mike Sherman at Texas A&M.

There's still a few coaching openings, though, and colleague Gene Wojciechowski, in a cool column, pieces together the perfect coach made up of his favorite traits from coaches around the country.

A few Big 12 gems:

The perfect coach loves to win, but like Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, doesn't put winning above his values or sense of perspective.

And [has] the calm, reassuring presence of Kansas State's Bill Snyder.

The perfect coach has the ego of Kansas' Weis.

The perfect coach, such as Baylor's Art Briles, rebuilds patiently.

The perfect coach doesn't distance himself from a school's traditions, but instead, like Mack Brown did at Texas, gives them a huge bear hug.

The perfect coach knows you have to be willing to fail in order to succeed, which explains all those calculated risks Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville has taken with the game on the line.

The perfect coach answers an honest question the same way Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy answered them this season: honestly, and from the heart.

The perfect coach can win on the road like Texas' Brown (of coaches with 35 or more road games, Brown has the best winning percentage and is 43-8).

The perfect coach remembers where he came from, like Iowa State's Paul Rhoads.

The perfect coach … doesn't exist. And never will.

What else does the perfect coach do?

The perfect coach earnestly cares about his players as men and people, not just as football players, like Gill did.

The perfect coach, like Sherman, never lets his team forget its potential, no matter what its record says.

The perfect coach isn't afraid to cry in front of anyone, like Rhoads.

The perfect coach mans up when he makes a mistake, no matter how embarassing, like Gary Pinkel.

The perfect coach "never misses an opportunity to promote his program," as Tuberville often says.

The perfect coach is subtly funny and keeps everyone but his team guessing about his intentions, like Snyder.

What else does a perfect coach do?

The forgotten "Top Ten" entry: "Does this mean I get to keep Joy and Lady as pets?"

• Here's Heisman winner Robert Griffin III with the Top Ten on David Letterman last night. It's the "Top Ten Thoughts that Went Through Robert Griffin III's Mind When He Won" The best: "Time to focus on my next goal: A Latin Grammy."
• Nick Begley of CNBC went on a search for RG3's Superman Socks, and they proved elusive. Not unlike Superman himself, I suppose.
• That Heisman is driving up Alamo Bowl ticket sales, too.
• Mike Gundy? The man is about to get paid! Gina Mizell of the Oklahoman reports.
• Texas A&M hired Kevin Sumlin and made history for all the right reasons, writes Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman.
• If you're looking for affordable tickets to the Cotton Bowl, you may be out of luck, writes Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle.
• Former Notre Dame QB Dayne Crist was at KU this weekend, and now he's visiting Wisconsin and Delaware, reports Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune.
• There's another QB on the market now, though. Conference USA Freshman of the Year Jeff Godfrey is transferring from UCF.
• Iowa State's senior class has already made history, writes Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register.
• Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World offers a few updates on how Charlie Weis has spent his first few days as KU coach, including putting his staff together. He's already earned the respect of Bill Self.
• Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram checks in from Kevin Sumlin's introductory news conference at Texas A&M.
• Vahe Gregorian checks up on Missouri's latest dual-sport athlete, tight end/forward Andrew Jones.
• Oklahoma RB Roy Finch was cited by police for breaking a friend's laptop.