By Wendell Barnhouse
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent

A daily countdown previewing the upcoming college football season continues. Today: Texas A&M.

2007: 7-6 overall, 4-4 in Big 12 South, tied for 3rd.
Bowl game: Lost to Penn State, 24-17, in Alamo Bowl.
Coach: Mike Sherman, first season.
Returning starters: 5

Staff changes: Sherman's hiring means a makeover of the coaching staff. Veteran defensive coordinator Joe Kines advocates an attacking style while offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell is implementing Sherman's pro-style playbook.

Offensive outlook: Senior quarterback Stephen McGee should be more comfortable running the new offense. If the Aggies can find some reliable seniors, McGee might put up some big numbers. Tailback Mike Goodson should get 25 to 30 touches per game; he also could be a stat-sheet stuffer. Jorvorskie Lane moves to fullback and could become a devastating lead blocker and short-yardage runner - if his weight doesn't keep him off the field.

Defensive outlook: The defensive coordinators under former coach Dennis Franchione preferred a read-and-react style. For a defense that has been known as the Wrecking Crew, that prevented the creation of havoc. Kines wants his defenders to be aggressive. If the secondary can cover, the Aggies might be worthy of the Wrecking Crew name.

Player on the spot: Mike Goodson. The junior running back is a marvelous talent but he's never been used in a consistent manner. That will change under Sherman. Goodson will get plenty of opportunities to run and catch. He must prove he can handle the heavier workload.

Player on the rise: Jamie McCoy. This is just a hunch, but McCoy might end up as A&M's leading receiver. Sherman's offense puts a premium on the tight end. McCoy, a quarterback who moved to wide receiver and then tight end, can catch it. What's unknown is how well the 6-3, 224-pound junior can block for the running game.

Number of note: The Aggies have had a total of 38 sacks the last two seasons. If A&M expects to win in the pass happy Big 12, it needs the sack total to get into the 30's ... for a single season.

Date book: Arkansas State, which pushed Texas to the limit last sesaon, visits in the opener. Then comes a difficult trip to New Mexico followed by a home game against Miami (Fla.), Texas Tech and Oklahoma come to College Station while two of the Aggies' Big 12 road games come at Baylor and Iowa State. A&M will be going for a third-consecutive victory over Texas when it travels to Austin in the season finale.

2008 SCHEDULE

THE SCHEDULE - BIG 12 SKYWRITERS TOUR PRESENTED BY TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL