We have all off season to break down the tailgate scene. Would love to see it all unified on the practice field, but there are some great pit stops parked on the road as well. More brewfest; no reason they can't do that every week or find featured brewery/winery/BBQ or catering spot to highlight. Don't charge admission, just pay for the space

Man, I learn a lot on this board. We have guys that sound like they know a thing or two about construction management, engineering, private equity, not to mention all the history we get sprinkled in. I appreciate you guys

Zo is a very likeable guy and a good man. Been around the block a little, and there is no doubt he is connected in the Bay Area (especially on the eastside and Oakland), and I would even say, into Sac and the Valley. BUT... has he even coordinated? He will need to hit it out of the park with those three hires. I think he is right in saying Sac is an uphill battle, and he needs to keep telling himself that. No conference, no schedule, big-talking president, massive roster voids, facility issues, and so on and so forth. If you put those tags on any other program in America, you would be labeling it an uphill climb too.

Truth be told, both they and Cal Poly are looking waaaaaay up the hill at the Aggies, from the president's office down to the support infrastructure for football. Let's keep it that way.

It only makes sense to allow them to participate. I remember mid-year juco guys can practice, so I guess a grad transfer that has graduated should be afforded the same opportunity. We are talking about NCAA rules though...

April makes sense to me. Next question: portal opens in early January I think, is there time to get transfers enrolled in time for spring ball?

What's the take on the rising kicker(s) we have in the program? We utilize a kickoff "specialist" and a pat/field goal kicker. What about punter? I thought he was pretty solid this year. Snappers? Anyone have any scoop on these races heading into the off-season?

Also, did I hear Plough say at a presser that spring football will be in April next year?

We were the victims of several sustained drives while their defense regrouped... Hard to score when the offense is sitting on the bench.

Agreed, the fake FG was gutsy and didn't look like it had much of a chance. I applaud Plough for his willingness to take some of those chances. I hate FGs unless they're game winners, personal preference.

My 12 Days of Christmas/2026 Aggie Football wish list:

12,000 fans (per game)
11 guys who can cover kickoffs
10+ win season
9 Ladies of Davis dance routines
8 Men and Maids-a-milking for the cows across LaRue from the stadium
7 points in the red zone (rather than field goal attempts)
6 yards per carry (for Fish)
$50 million in renovations and improvements
4 NCAA playoff victories (1st round bye excluded)
A 300# D-Tackle (and an Edge rusher)
2 Connors brothers
1 Nasty Left Tackle from the Transfer Portal for Pinnick

Good data, and I agree, especially that they were the better team last Saturday. Unfortunately, that's all that matters.

Has anyone else noticed the number of interceptions thrown inside the 5 yard line this season in college and professional football? It has become a regular occurrence. Make FULLBACKS part of the game again!!!

Good points, all of them. You hit it on the head; they got stops when they needed them. We put up a ton of passing yards (402 of the 533 total yards), but they held our TB to 71 yards rushing and our QB scrambled for another 26. Our second TB went for 25 yards on 3 carries. However, both the starting TB and his backup each had 23 of their yards on one. So, I would consider a 42-17 lead with 3:35 to play in the game against one of the top offenses in the nation an outstanding defensive performance. I'm certain that you're not discounting the ISU Defensive effort. I just think scores are often misleading, and it felt like we got our ass whipped sitting there last Saturday.

Saw the same thing, I think it was the kicker. I just watched that play again on the ESPN highlights and there were several things that really jumped out at me, but I will refrain unless anyone really wants to go there. It made me watch our opening drive to get to the kickoff, man we had some chances... SERENITY NOW!!!

Yes, another 300 pound interior DL would be nice. Hard to find those guys.

My intention was to come on here and bitch and moan (especially) about special teams play, stopping the run, and how the Redbirds scored four TD to our one between the 2nd and 3rd quarters. However, after throwing my board in the water yesterday and sitting on the beach, then sleeping on it for two nights, I am announcing my retirement from posting about the 2025 season. I will end this run with a few more mellow contemplations:

-Special teams play... Two of the four losses saw critical mistakes. Possibly the absolute worst play of the season was when the entire Aggie punt return team turned their back to the Illinois State punter and ran with the coverage team. The punter saw what happened, that no one was home, and took off because not one player stayed to check to ensure that the ball was kicked. I almost puked when I saw him change his footwork while he was reading our guys.

-The old adages that "Defense Wins Championships" and "You Must Run to Win" still hold true. Illinois State did both of those things very effectively, and won. We didn't. That's the ballgame.

-Kudos to the fans: students, parents, alumni, community, especially for the final three games. Plough has built something pretty special and the momentum is tangible. The games I went to were a great time! And we won most of them. And we hosted two playoff games.

-This team far exceeded their circumstances. There were so many reasons why they could have had a down year, yet they earned a #8 national seed and won a playoff game. With a first-year, freshman QB. With devastating, season-ending injuries to all-Americans and all-Big Sky performers. With guys being sick. With more injuries. The program was tested and still nearly pushed through to the semifinals.

-And finally, to wrap up my kinder, gentler post on 2025 Aggie football, Corey the Rocket Dog redeemed herself and put in possibly her best performance of the season. Given the rumors about other dogs being able to fill her role through the dog pound portal, she renewed my faith in her retrieving abilities and brought her A-game in the quarterfinals. Maybe we expand her role in 2026 with supporting our special teams by running down the field to cover kickoffs and sitting at the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted...

That's all folks. No more from me about this game or any of the 2025 games, I am now forward focused from here on out. I trust Plough and Co. to fix what needs to be fixed, to address the roster needs, and to come out loaded for bear in 2026.

Agreed

That would be a tremendous luxury to not have to take transfers at DL. Psyk has another year possibly?

Getting Simpson back would be an added bonus but it sounds like that one is a stretch. Having to rely on the NCAA for anything is uncertain.

Sailorgabe mentioned focusing on the CA P4 players. I'd dial that in and focus mainly on UCLA and Cal; both UC schools so the kids need some sort of academic track record, and both had coaching changes. UCLA might become JMU Westwood so keep an eye down there.

If I was the GM, here are my areas of focus in looking at the dreaded Portal:

1. Left Tackle: 70 will be hard to replace, and like someone mentioned, it takes time to develop OL. We need a plug-and-play dude at that position while the young guys develop.

2. Edge: Few returns and is more of a strong side-type, run stopper who will develop as a pass rusher. We need someone who can cause headaches in the pass rush department.

3. Defensive Tackle: Can't have enough. One of the hardest positions to find in recruiting. The bigger the better.

4. Cornerback: See DT notes

5. Guard: not sure what we have coming-up in the program so this might not be a necessity. Not nearly as difficult to find this guy as it is Tackles.

6. Safety: not as much of a priority if Rex wins the lawsuit.

7. Tight End: Williams is better than either Simpson or Dixon so we'll have one. This shouldn't be a hard sell given how we use this position. Not sure if the two FR from last year's class will be ready for prime time.

8. Inside Linebacker: 15 proved he can play. If Porter's suit of the NCAA is successful, we're in pretty good shape. 44 was a back-up inside this season, didn't see enough of him to know what he is. Not sure on the young guys, signed two in last year's class.

I think 10-12 is the absolute maximum number of transfers we should entertain. Beyond that, you start to threaten the culture in my opinion.

Fitting!

Carter is a good hire. He's not Troy Taylor, but he is a great fit for Sac State. My guess is that Taylor turned it down. Plus, he doesn't know Hammer as far as I know. That HAD to be a selling point for Woods.

McClure is a name up there, everyone knows him and he can recruit. These guys will right the ship if that is even possible. Could be the Titanic...

Probably. Harper and Cleeland are the two QBs dressed and signaling at the games I've made. I think Wrighster traveled when Pinnick was sick. Rasor has been out with an injury. That leaves the two other freshmen, Eason and Guess.

CA Forever, I agree. All indications would lead us to believe he's in for 2026

Final post heading into the weekend and the roadie north. I am excited for our program and our fandom, big opportunity. We MUST take care of the football, stick with the run game, protect the QB, and hold them to <28. Accomplish that and we're heading to the semis. The game will be close, the punters may be busy, but at the end of the day, we're faster, more athletic, and a hell of a lot more creative. I don't think they can keep up with us playing our style of football.

LET'S GO AGGIES!