'Texas Football' hits the shelves

By ROBERT CESSNA

robert.cessna@theeagle.com
Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:05 AM

Texas A&M football fans looking to save money in a struggling economy might want to pass on this year's Texas Football. Then again, it is the golden anniversary issue, so Aggies might opt to buy only one.

TF, which hit the newsstands this week, is picking the Aggies to finish last in the Big 12 South.

"Mike Sherman's squad should improve, but few teams in the Big 12 really took a step backwards," said ESPN.com's Tim Griffin, who makes the magazine's South Division predictions. "Players and coaches are talking about a new attitude on campus, but until we see the product on the field, the basement is where they stay."

Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News picks Kansas to win the North, followed by Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Kansas State and Iowa State.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is the magazine's cover boy. "These Eyes of Texas" is inset to the left of McCoy's eyes, which have Longhorn decals underneath. "Colt McCoy Will Lead 'Horns to National Title," is underneath the main inscription.

The magazine is picking TCU to be in a BCS Bowl, Houston to win Conference USA and Baylor to end its bowl drought.

The high school predictions are a little better for Bryan-College Station's rooting interests.

A&M Consolidated is picked second in District 12-5A behind Copperas Cove. Temple is third, followed by Killeen Ellison, Belton, Bryan, Killeen Shoemaker and Harker Heights. Rudder, which is fielding a team for the second year, is picked last in 24-3A. Rockdale is picked to win, followed by Navasota, Cameron, Caldwell, Taylor and Madisonville.

The Brazos Valley has only four teams in TF's preseason rankings. Brenham, picked to win 18-4A, is ranked 16th in Class 4A. In 3A, Rockdale is ranked 15th and Navasota is 23rd. Calvert, picked to win Division I District 16, is ranked 10th in 6-man. Franklin missed the state rankings, but the Lions are picked to win 20-2A.

Texas Football retails for $9.95, which is the same price as last year. The magazine has 368 pages, also the same as last year.

If Aggie fans are looking for an omen, not all of Griffin's predictions have been on the money. Griffin, who covered the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News before moving to ESPN.com, picked the Aggies fourth last year behind OU, Texas Tech and Texas with OSU fifth and Baylor last.

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NOTES -- Navasota offensive lineman Aleon Calhoun (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) was the only Brazos Valley player to make the magazine's Super Team. He was on the third team. ... Other BV players on the Top 300 seniors were Brenham wide receiver Terrell Reese (6-1, 180), A&M Consolidated tight end Kyle Doll (6-4, 200), Rockdale defensive lineman Logan David (6-4, 300), Consol defensive back Andrew Fletcher (6-0, 185) and Madisonville athlete Brock Taylor (6-0, 175). ... Dave Campbell, the magazine's editor in chief who started the state's bible of football in 1960, was in Brenham on Monday night autographing 300 copies for half price. Brenham will play Katy Mayde Creek on Aug. 29 at noon in San Antonio's Alamodome as part of the 10th Annual Dave Campbell's Texas Football Classic.