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Let’s take the temperature in College Station, Texas, following Texas A&M’s 2-0 start.
HOT: THE ENTIRE OFFENSE
Who needs Johnny Manziel and Mike Evans? Apparently not the Aggies. Granted, it came against Lamar, but Texas A&M scored 73 points without starting tight end Cameron Clear and starting running back Tra Carson. Recruiting, brand management and inspiring wealthy boosters are all factors, but the electric offense is the main reason why Kevin Sumlin is one of the nation’s hottest coaches.
WARM: SPEEDY NOIL’S RETURN GAME
The touted freshman wideout has lived up to his namesake early in his college career. Noil should’ve taken a 67-yard punt return to the end zone against Lamar, but didn’t make that one final change of direction. He also has a 53-yard kickoff return to his credit. SEC special teams coaches, you’ve been warned.
COOL: KENNY HILL
OK, fine, this is cool as in good, not cool as in sub-optimal. But it’s hard to find much fault in Texas A&M through two games. Hill has avoided most comparisons to Johnny Manziel, even shrugging off praise from Johnny Football himself. The first one to congratulate backup Kyle Allen after the freshman’s first touchdown pass, Kenny Trill is a humble, interesting persona to monitor.
COLD: THE PUNTER
Drew Kaser has spent hours standing or sitting on the bench. First he waited out a lightning delay of more than two hours Saturday. Then he punted just once all game, for 24 yards. And Lamar returner Devonn Brown fumbled on the play, so A&M regained possession. Kaser averaged 47.4 yards per punt last season, but has only had three opportunities during the 2014 season.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
