Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams (5) follows the block of offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland (78) after receiving the ball from quarterback Nick Starkel (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Texas A&M won 31-24. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
lessTexas A&M running back Trayveon Williams (5) follows the block of offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland (78) after receiving the ball from quarterback Nick Starkel (17) during the second half of an NCAA
... moreCHARLOTTE, N.C. – Texas A&M's season comes to a merciful end starting at high noon on Friday in the Belk Bowl against a fellow 7-5 team, Wake Forest.
Minus further ado and with a wish for a happy new year, five things to watch in A&M interim coach Jeff Banks' audition for a head coaching job, a coordinators slot or perhaps an NFL assistant opening:
Run Game
Wake Forest is bad against the run and worse against the pass, but it's imperative the Aggies establish their running game against the Demon Deacons, to chew up clock and keep a thin defense off the field as much as possible. If A&M can't run the ball with Trayveon Williams leading the way against Wake Forest, which ranks 93rd nationally against the run, the Aggies are likely in for a long afternoon in Charlotte.
Reaction
The A&M players have been through a lot the past couple of months, in trying to save Kevin Sumlin's job, impress new coach Jimbo Fisher (at least the returning players) and adjust to Banks' way of doing things. Wake Forest is feeling its oats under the steady Dave Clawson, showing the difference between a basketball school and a football school. One is OK with 7-5, the other clearly is not (resulting in a fired coach).
Coaching Calls
The deposed Sumlin has helped tutor Banks over the past few weeks, and Fisher will be a (mostly) silent observer of the goings-on today in Bank of America Stadium. Banks will let coordinators Noel Mazzone and John Chavis do their things, and both will certainly be willing to take chances in their last swings with the Aggies. By the way, Banks could still be retained on Fisher's staff, that's to be determined.
Weather
It's alleged to be a high of 45 degrees on Friday in Charlotte, and Wake Forest of North Carolina is obviously more acclimated to the cold than the Aggies. But it's been fairly frosty in College Station over the past couple of weeks, as well, which has unsuspectingly helped A&M prepare for the cold-weather contest. At least the sun will be out, according to the local forecast.
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Dave South
The Aggies' longtime and well-known radio broadcaster is calling his final football game with the Belk Bowl. He's also retiring from basketball duties after this season but will continue to call A&M baseball. South, a kind and giving family man away from the headset, needs to write a book on all of his experiences in the booth and beyond – the man has a million (maybe more) stories spanning four decades that Aggies would appreciate.