When looking at A&M's 2008 final record of 4-8, it is easy to remember back to the last time we went 4-8, which was 2003, under Dennis Franchione. 2003 was also Joe Kines' first season as defensive coordinator at the University of Alabama, where he had replaced Carl Torbush, who had come to A&M to run our defense under Franchione. As for 2003 season went on, and the spectacle that was the Aggie defense that season became more horrific by the game (anyone else remember walk-on Scott Stickane starting at MLB?), many Aggies were questioning the hiring of Torbush away from 'Bama, claiming he couldn't handle Big 12 offenses (a claim later proven to be correct). Many 'Bama fans at the time said they would gladly take Torbush back if we didn't want him; they were having troubles of their own with their defense, which was headed up by Kines.

In 2002, Torbush's last season as DC at Alabama, the Tide defense gave up an average of 80.2 yds per game rushing and 177.2 yds per game passing for a total of 257.4 yds per game. The Tide also held opposing offenses to 15.4 points per game. Alabama ended that season 10-3. In 2003, Kines' first season as DC, the Tide defense gave up 132.5 yds per game rushing, 227.8 yds per game passing, for an average of 360.2 yds per game total. They gave up an average of 25.6 points per game. The Tide went 3-9 in that season. The 30% increase in yds given up and the 40% increase in point allowed drove the Tide fans crazy.

However, during the 2004 season, the defense's second year in Kines' system, the Tide defense gave up an average of 132.4 yds rushing and 113.1 yds per game passing, for a total of 245.5 yds per game. They gave up an average of 15.8 points per game. The 2004 'Bama defense ranked first nationally in pass defense, and was second nationally in total defense. Given time to learn Kines' system, the defense flourished under him, and became a dominant unit.

In 2005, the domination continued, where the defensive fielded a unit that gave up an incredible 10.7 points per game, and 255.1 yds per game in total defense, as the team improved to 10-2 on the season. Alabama ended the year with the Tide defense choking the life out of Texas Tech's explosive offense in the Cotton Bowl, winning the game 13-10.

Now, looking at A&M: In 2007, in the final year of Gary Darnell's attempt to lead our defense, we gave up an average of 25.9 points per game, 160.9 yds per game rushing and 254.8 yds per game passing, for an average of 415.8 yds per game total defense. In 2008, we gave up 37.4 points per game, 219.2 yds per game rushing, and 242.7 yds per game passing, for a total of 461.9 yds per game total defense. This means in 2008, our defense was only about 10% worse than it was in 2007 with regards to total defense. Our pass defense actually improved from 2007 to 2008, while our run defense gave up almost 60 more yds per game.

However, if Kines' history at Alabama is any predictor of the future, our defense should improve in 2009, Kines' second year at the helm, as the players become more familiar with his schemes and the way he wants to attack opposing offenses. If Kines' past history is any indication of future success, our defense should begin to exert their will this season, as the players mature in the system, and become a downright dominant unit in 2010.