Texas A&M ended last season by losing consecutive games for the first time since 1970, finishing outside the AP Top 25 for just the second time in coach R.C. Slocum's tenure.

Then, the Aggies lost their three top playmakers -- wide receiver Robert Ferguson and fullback Ja'Mar Toombs left early for the NFL and linebacker Jason Glenn completed his eligibility.

There's nothing there to feel good about, but the Aggies like this parallel:

Oklahoma went 7-5 in 1999 and lost the Independence Bowl by two points. A year later, the Sooners won the national title.

Texas A&M went 7-5 in 2000 and lost the Independence Bowl by two points. This season?

"Who's to say we can't be the next (Oklahoma)?" asked A&M linebacker Brian Gamble.

Talent level aside, the schedule might have a lot to say about it.

During a five-week stretch beginning in mid-October, the Aggies must play at Colorado, at Kansas State, at Texas Tech and at Oklahoma. Since 1995, A&M is a combined 2-6 at those destinations, with both wins coming in 1997.

"We've got to play better on the road," Gamble said. "That's part of the little things we're addressing and making our minds up that this is what it takes to be one of the great teams."

The Aggies' 2001 lineup has few glaring weaknesses, but the Aggies need some of their very good players to develop into full-time playmakers.

Junior Mark Farris appears capable of becoming one of the best quarterbacks in A&M history. The former minor-league baseball player is 26, married and has a daughter. That maturity translated into his becoming a steadying influence, team leader and darn fine player, setting a single-season school record with 2,551 passing yards.

"The age thing came up so often last year it became pretty tiresome," Farris said. "It's almost like your penalized. People say, 'Well, he ought to be good. He's 26.' I don't understand what that has to do with playing football.

"If anything, it makes it harder to get in shape and stay in shape. When I was 21, it was a lot easier to be in shape."

Forget the age thing. The better question this season is, "Who will be his go-to receiver?"

"We'll have to spread the ball around to different receivers instead of relying so much on a guy like Ferguson," Farris said. "But if guys like Bethel Johnson, Mickey Jones and Dwain Goynes step up, it can make us even more balanced and dangerous."

The most intriguing of the returning receivers is Goynes, a terrific athlete blessed with blazing speed. His impressive work in the spring was an indication that he could be emerging as a difference-maker.

The offensive line, anchored by All-American candidate Seth McKinney at center, returns three starters from a unit that was one of the pleasant surprises of last season. It could be even better this year. But who will be the running back charged with getting the tough yards in the crucial situations?

Sophomore Richard Whitaker and redshirt freshman Keith Joseph have the potential to produce long plays at tailback, but they have yet to do it on game day. Joe Weber moves to fullback, but doesn't have the girth that the 275-pound Toombs brought to the position in critical short-yardage situations.

The other major concern involves a position that has usually been the team's main strength -- outside linebacker. Gamble is a tremendous tackler who anchors the middle, but nobody on the roster has proven he can be the next dominating star outside linebacker.

The secondary should be more than fine with cornerback Sammy Davis and strong safety Terrence Kiel being all-conference candidates. Sophomore cornerback Sean Weston is coming off a solid freshman season, and senior Jay Brooks is trying his hand at free safety after being a cornerback for his A&M career.

Brooks has a history of making big plays. Last year, he set up four touchdowns with four blocked punts, and during his career he has recorded five sacks and scored three touchdowns.

Junior Ty Warren could be the most dominant defensive lineman the Aggies have seen since Sam Adams, and even with the loss of two starters, the defensive front could be the strength of the team, especially if senior end Rocky Bernard returns to top form after missing last year with a knee injury.

In the Big 12 South, Texas and Oklahoma look to be better than last season -- but you can't blame the Aggies for remaining optimistic.

During the spring, the Aggies broke team huddles/gatherings by shouting, in unison, "national champions."

"College football is a crazy game," Gamble said. "Anything can happen."

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