By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent

2010: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in Big 12.
Bowl: Lost to LSU, 41-24, in Cotton Bowl.
Starters returning: 8 starters on offense, 8 on defense.

Overview
If the trend of improvement under Mike Sherman continues, Texas A&M should be a top 10 team that contends for the Big 12 championship. In Sherman's first season, the Aggies won 4 games followed by 6 games in Year Two and 9 games last season. The 2010 season turned for the better when Sherman made a tough decision to change quarterbacks.

The defense made huge strides last season in coordinator Tim DeRuyter's first season in College Station. The Aggies ranked 55th in total defense in 2010 after ranking 105th in that category in 2009. There are eight starters returning on the defensive side but DeRuyter needs to replace a key play maker and leader.



Who's missing
Von Miller played the Joker position (a hybrid defensive end/linebacker) and overcame an ankle injury to become a top play maker and the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. Inside linebacker Michael Hodges was the team's leading tackler.

Who's back
After Ryan Tannehill replaced Jerrod Johnson at quarterback Texas A&M went 5-1. A senior, Tannehill will be in charge of one of the nation's most explosive attacks. Receivers Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope each had 72 receptions last season. Cyrus Gray gained over 1,100 yards rushing after replacing Christine Michael, who missed the last seven games with a broken leg. Michael has recovered and gives the Aggies a potent one-two punch. Three starters are back on the offensive line. All of the defensive secondary is back.

Spring news
* Linebacker Steven Jenkins, a transfer from Coffeyville (Kan.) JC, and junior Jonathan Stewart are being counted on to help out at the linebacker spot but both struggled during the spring. However, DeRuyter raved about junior linebacker Caleb Russell. Jenkins and junior Kyle Mangan, who has starting experience, are in a battle for playing time at linebacker. Sophomore DaMontre Moore proved his talent as a freshman and could be Von Miller's replacement at the Joker spot.

* The offensive line should have five players who started at least half of the season in 2010. Brian Thomas has started at tackle and guard but he was moved to center to replace the departed Matt Allen. Evan Eike will take over Thomas' spot at left guard. The biggest concern for the Aggies is developing more depth.

* Running back Christine Michael was on his way to a 1,000-yard season before suffering a broken leg that caused him to miss the last seven games in 2010. He participated in spring practice and had a solid spring game with 52 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts. In his place, Cyrus Gray gained over 100 yards in seven consecutive games and finished with over 1,100 yards. "We're looking to be the No. 1 running back tandem in the country," Michael said.

Coach Mike Sherman says
On the backup quarterback situation involving freshman Johnny Manziel plus redshirt freshmen Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel. "(Manziel) is very smart and he picks up on the offense very fast. He's extremely explosive with a strong arm. The other two guys had good springs, and it will be a competition. (Manziel) is not quite in that level of knowing the offense just yet. He has a ways to go."

Schedule

Sept. 4	Southern Methodist
Sept. 17	Idaho
Sept. 24	Oklahoma State
Oct. 1	vs. Arkansas (Arlington, Texas)
Oct. 8	at Texas Tech
Oct. 15	Baylor
Oct. 22	at Iowa State
Oct. 29	Missouri
Nov. 5	at Oklahoma
Nov. 12	at Kansas State
Nov. 19	Kansas
Nov. 24	Texas