The last time Texas A&M and Notre Dame played, R.C. Slocum and Bob Davie were standing on the same sideline. This time each is standing on rumbling turf. Both known as defensive specialists, Slocum and Davie saw their teams disintegrate in crucial games during the 1999 season.

Texas A&M Game Plan

Defense: Lots of movement to confuse Battle and hurry him. Get on top of receivers and take them out of passing game. Safeties cannot get blocked down in the option defense. Offense: Make big plays on first down. Stretch defense with speed to open up the middle for Toombs. Use backs in passing game to create one on one matchups with linebackers. Kicking: Pressure the kickers all the time. Be ready for surprise onside kick early in game. Absolutely no break downs in kick protection. Players: Openers always have mistakes -- play through them. Hustle makes up for many a mistake. Get over nervousness quickly and get into the game. Coaches: "Don't save anything for the dance."

The Aggies begin with defense each year and 2000 is no different. Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz has eight members of The Wrecking Crew back, and they have some scores to settle. The rushing defense average for 1999 was 119 yards per game; that is below the level of acceptance. With Rocky Bernard out for the season due to a knee injury, Ron Edwards will have to anchor a defensive line that will be stunting more and shooting gaps to trap Notre Dame runners before they can get started.

Arnaz Battle better get used to seeing some bodies flying around him because the Aggies linebacking unit comes hard and fast all the time. Jason Glenn, and Roylin Bradley will blitz from several positions and should force the Irish into max protection in the passing game. With maximum protection, A&M will have the opportunity to back up their corners, who will play predominantly man coverage. Wes Bautovich, a walk on transfer student, may start at free safety. Do not look for the safeties to be far from the line of scrimmage on running plays; they are the primary tacklers in the option defense.

On offense the Aggies have plenty of question marks. Quarterback has been a problem position for several years and Slocum may have to rotate in the early season to see who can get the job done. Mark Farris gets the first shot and his play is critical to the offensive unit. Last year the defenses stacked the line of scrimmage and the once potent running game averaged only 140 yards a game with less than 100 yards in losses to Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Ja'Mar Toombs can pound the middle, but speed on the outside is what is needed to get past the Irish who are not fast. Only with a respected running game will the Aggies complement their offense with effective passing. First down has been a big play action pass down for them in the past.

The kicking game will unveil a new punter with the departure of long hitter Shane Lechler, and the place kicking is up for grabs.