After Texas A&M’s narrow escape last weekend over Fresno State, Brett Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News continues to lead the chorus (see earlier posts here and here) that doubts A&M football coach Dennis Franchione is going to produce a serious Big 12 South contender in Aggieland:

How did it come to a triple-overtime game against a smaller program that finished 4-8 last season? The Aggies, however, did double up on Franchione’s oft-stated goal of simply scoring one more point than their opponent. [. . .]
The No. 25 Aggies had better progress in a hurry, however, if they’re to compete for their first Big 12 title in nearly a decade. A&M is lucky Bulldogs receiver Marlon Moore tried sticking the ball out for a touchdown ó resulting in a fumble ó during Saturday’s first overtime. Texas A&M Otherwise, the Aggies would be 1-1, and Franchione might’ve had a tough time holding on to his gig ó during the season.
A road game at Miami looms Sept. 20, with contests later in the season at Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri, comprising A&M’s rockiest schedule since the league started play in 1996.
The above games are supposed to be tough. Fresno State wasn’t. [. . .]
Franchione is a mediocre 27-23 through 50 games at A&M, but this was supposed to be the season that his veteran squad finally emerged as a true threat in the league.
Instead, all of the old questions about A&M’s direction are bubbling to the surface. As one frustrated A&M graduate put it, Franchione was hired to close the gap with Texas and OU, not Baylor and Iowa State. [. . .]
Franchione, 56, already owns the worst overall loss and the two worst bowl losses in school history over his previous four seasons.

But hey, even if the Aggie football team is not top ten caliber, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Marching Band is!