Howdy! My name is Jarrett Adams. Several of you may remember my work from 'the12thmanchild' and I am very excited to join the rank and file of I Am The 12th Man. I graduated from A&M last December with a degree in Ag Communications and Journalism.

I had the chance to travel to Stillwater this weekend and take in the game. My thoughts along with some fan reactions and a few pictures to recap the weekend.

Follow the jump to read about an Aggie's trip to Stillwater:

Eskimo Joe's
Walking in Garth Brooks front yard
Tailgating
Conversations with the Enemy
Boone Pickens Stadium
Game Observations
Half-time Observations

a drinking town with a football problem

First off, Stillwater seems to garner the distinction of Texas Tceh East. While that may have been the case in the past or in certain instances, I found no reason to complain about a town and a university that are clearly trying to do everything first class.

Sure, money talks and helps A LOT, but you can't buy a handshake in Lubbock and I had no less than 15 people thank me for coming to Stillwater. Bar tabs were picked up by orange clad people all over the town. The vibe I got from the other Aggies in Stillwater was that OSU rolled out the red carpet for its visitors. A hat tip goes out to the town of Stillwater for their hospitality.

Eskimo Joe's
 

This is was not my first trip to Stillwater, but it was my first time inside the hallowed walls of Eskimo Joe's. Gameday may be the best time to see Eskimo Joe's packed with people, but it is not the best time to get a table. So I roamed around watching some of the games on tv and doing a lil bit of mingling with the Cowboy faithful. This was my first experience with their hospitality. While I was waiting outside the restroom, a gentleman in OSU garb came over to shake my hand and welcome me to Stillwater. Another OSU fan, named John, asked me if I was enjoying my time at Eskimo Joe's and in Stillwater. I acknowledged in the affirmative and told him it seemed to be a great place. John said he was glad I was enjoying myself and that he was glad so many Aggies made the trip. He had made the trip to College Station last year for the game and absolutely loved College Station and Kyle Field. He raved about the Dixie Chicken, Midnight Yell, and those Texas women. John said he was glad so many girls from Texas go to OSU. There were several Aggies there with whom I exchanged a few "Howdy's" and "Gig 'ems." It was a great experience and I am glad I made it a point to stop at Eskimo Joe's. Sadly, we couldn't stay there all day, we had some tailgating to do, but first we had a little sightseeing to do on the way.

The Legend's Old House
   
Oklahoma State's Biggest Celebrity Alumnus (I said celebrity, Boone Pickens isn't popular with teenagers) lived just down the street from Eskimo Joe's on Duck St. I wonder if this is where he met his friends in low places . Anyways this got me thinking, Shouldn't we have things marking the dwellings of those great Aggies before us? I know Robert Earl Keen talks about his house in a song. Is his house still standing? Is it marked? I wonder where other great Aggies lived while in College Station. I know Reggie McNeal used to live in my building at Campus Lodge (now known as Revielle Ranch).

Tailgating
Atmosphere = A+

There's something magical about the sights, sounds, and smell that surround a college football game. As we walked through the large tailgating area, I saw typical the typical tailgating sights: meat being smoked, football being watched, kids running around and beer being consumed (by which I can only assume were all people of age).  I realize I am just going on and on about how friendly people were, but it was such a pleasant surprise. I did not expect a hostile atmosphere, but I did expect for the OSU fans to hardly acknowledge the Aggies that made the trip, but it was quite the opposite.

Flip Cup

As the pictures show, Flip Cup was very prevalent at our tailgate location. 13 Aggies v. 13 Pokes. While the Aggie football team may not have gotten the job done on the field, the A&M Flip Cup team 'flipped' their way to four straight victories, crushing the OSU team (only one match was even close). Well done Ags, well done.
   

 

Sleeping with Talking to the Enemy

While roaming around the campus I had the opportunity to speak with a few OSU and A&M folks. The plan was to use these conversations to figure out the pulse of each program. I spoke with Joey Prochaska, an OSU senior, and Brent Sterner, an OSU junior, and asked them their thoughts.

1) What are peoples feelings toward the football program these days?

Prochaska: It is really great. Everyone seems happy, you see orange everywhere. All the businesses and stores have paraphenalia lining their stores.

Sterner: In a word, exciting. People are really starting to believe that over time we can compete at the highest level.

2) What are your expectations of this year's squad?

Prochaska: Well obviously, you would like to win every game, but I would love a Cotton Bowl bid. I am from Dallas, so maybe that is a selfish thing, but I think it would really make a statement.

Sterner: Beat one or two of Tech, Texas, Mizzou and OU. Definitely the class of the Big XII and we get to play them all. Also, no slip-up games. Do that, and you will be in position for a big year.

3) What was it like in Stillwater the first year or so under Gundy?

Prochaska: It was not fun. I was a freshmen, and I was really hoping that was not the normal atmosphere around here during the season. There was so much build-up to that season and then we laid some absolute eggs. I was disappointed, but going to the Independence Bowl my sophomore year really got people excited. We felt like we were finally doing something positive.

Sterner: His first year was my senior year of high school, so I don't really know what it was like then, but I was here in year 2 and we lost some games we shouldn't have, but everyone was glad to see improvement from year one.

4) Do ya'll have the angriest coaches in the Big XII?

Prochaska: Haha, maybe. I think Gundy's thing was passionate, but I feared Sutton may have a heart attack at any given minute. I'm going to miss him. (Sutton was fired on 1-April-2008)

Sterner: Yes, there's no doubt about it. Although, now that Coach Gundy is still a man, but 41, he may have mellowed a little bit.

Former OSU basketball coach Sean Sutton

Boone Pickens Stadium
-The House That Boone Built-

In a word, impressive. I was in Stillwater for the game 2 years ago and I came away very underwhelmed by their football stadium. In fact, I think several high school fields in Texas would have given their old stadium a run for its money. However, the addition of the 'Wild West Endzone' has really given the stadium a boost in atmosphere. It now feels like you're at a major college football game instead of  the Texas 5A state playoffs.

I would just like to point out that at the start of the game their fans were sitting down. This will come into play later in the blog.

Game Observations

I know you have probably read them ad nauseam, so I won't bore you with all the game details. I will, however, add a couple points from my view in the stands.

1) I wish this game was on tv - I know you're thinking.."What a stupid comment. We've been blown out on tv too many times. I'm glad this wasn't broadcast on a network." I understand your thought process, but being there made all the difference. We could have been in that game. I didn't say we should have won, but the score could have been a lot closer. We were shooting ourselves in the foot, giving them points. Especially on JJ's two picks; both of those balls should have been caught..

2) Jeff Fuller and Mike Goodson are beasts - I know he had a fumble on the first drive, but Fuller is so good, yet still so raw. Goodson is absolutely stellar. I really do not think we are using him correctly.  Hopefully as J-Train gets a few more carries between the tackles, it will take away some of the pounding Goodson is taking. The Aggies should look into how USC and the New Orleans Saints used Reggie Bush - swing passes, smoke draws, and stretch plays. That is not to say that you can never give it to Goodson between the tackles, just not 15 times a game.

3) Do you leave Tannehill at receiver? First, his second TD catch was AWESOME. Just a pretty play. There are a lot of receivers in the Big XII that could not have pulled that one in. Back to the question: I think you leave him at receiver, ride out this year with JJ and McGee, then next year Dorman is your back-up. Tannehill and Fuller are already the best receiver combo we have had since T-Murph and Jason Carter circa 2003. Give him an off-season running routes and catching balls. Let him be a leader of that position group. Love his game.

4) Defense - What a half! Another reason I wish this had been on tv. Our defense played really well in the first-half. First it was the goaline stand on OSU's first possesion. Then the unit held a stout OSU offense to 7, yes 7,  first half points. The other three TD's were while our offense or special team units were on the field. We out gained OSU in the first half by nearly 60 yards.

5) Offensive line - The unit actually played well, maybe their best all season. That said, our O-Line is definitely still our biggest weakness and many teams would consider our best game this season as their worst game. All we can ask every week is that they show improvement every game.

6) DEZ BRYANT! - The guy is unbelievable. He absolutely has it all. He will never put up the numbers of Crabtree or Maclin due to OSU's commitment to the run, but I think I would take him over either of those guys. I understand that with any of them you are just splitting hairs over who is the best, but I would take Bryant because of his size, speed, and body control. I have seen few guys put themselves in a better position to catch the ball. The way he uses his body on defenders is nothing short of excellent. In my opinion, there is no doubt this guy is a 1st round NFL pick.

Half-time Observations

Earlier I mentioned in the caption of the 'Wild West Endzone' picture that at the beginning of the game their fans we sitting down. I hope you can see in the 2 picutres of the Aggie Band that their fans are STANDING during the entire performance. After our band performed, they all left their seats and went about their other half-time activities. In fact, most of the OSU fans probably could not even tell you whether their band performed or not. They cheered and applauded very louldy for the FTAB. Needless to say, our band performed WON half-time and remains undeafeated all-time. We've still NEVER lost a half-time!

OVERALL TRIP TO STILLWATER = A

Eskimo Joe's = A
Walking in Garth Brooks front yard = A
Tailgating = A
Conversations with the Enemy = A
Boone Pickens Stadium = B+
Game Observations = C
Half-time Observations = A+

When the good guys travel back to Stillwater in 2 years, I encourage you to go, especially if you reside in the Metroplex. In another two years, the Aggies should field a more competitive squad; if OSU continues to improve, it might be a matchup between two Top 25 teams.

Also, a lot of people write off OSU as a perennial 2nd tier team in the BIG XII. While historically that may be justified, do not underestimate the program they are building up in Stillwater. Their football team has some good athletes, several who we recruited. With all the money being pumped into that program, there really is no ceiling for them. I wouldn't be surprised if OSU supplants Tceh as the go to place for the recruits that are just under the radar for schools like OU and Texas.

I could definitely see OSU contending for a Big XII South title in the next couple of years.

Expectations

Aggies this year - I really just want to see improvement each and every game. Do NOT beat yourself. If you line up and the other team beats you, that's fine, but do not turn the ball over 5 times in the first half! I expect the Aggies to win 2-3 more games and finish 4-8 or 5-7. The offense showed me a little bit of promise in how they moved the ball. Correct the turnovers and you will be in some games.

OSU this year - OSU played a great game on Saturday, but I do NOT see them ready to compete in the Big XII this year. I think they finish 8-4. If they don't finish strong, Gundy may be feeling some heat.