What’s not to love about supreme optimism?

It’s the best time of the year for college football fans, especially those favoring the SEC. Dreams of a national championship aren’t yet crushed and homers abound can all take a stab at guessing wins and losses on their respective team’s schedule.

‘Best Case Scenario’ Series

TEXAS A&M AGGIES

2013 record: 9-4, 4-4
2014 best case: 9-4, 4-4
Closer look: There isn’t a tougher road game in the country than what’s staring the Aggies in the face Aug. 28 at Williams-Brice Stadium, a venue where South Carolina’s won a school-record 18 straight games. Thrown into the fire early will be either or two unproven quarterbacks and an oft-criticized defense against the Eastern Division preseason favorite and a sellout crowd. The good news for Texas A&M is that it won’t face another elite league contest until October when the Aggies head to Tuscaloosa. That’s not discrediting prior matchups with Ole Miss and Mississippi St., but those are both, best case scenario, winnable games for Kevin Sumlin’s team. Nine wins is a feasible if the Aggies receive solid play from Kyle Allen or Kenny Hill.
Silver lining: You wouldn’t expect Texas A&M to lose a player of Johnny Manziel’s caliber and be better the following season, but the Aggies think that’s a possibility with a defense expected to carry its own weight this fall after 2013’s implosion. The road slate’s quite challenging with likely three games against Top 10 opponents, but outside of a home finale with LSU, the Aggies could be favored in every contest at Kyle Field. And the non-conference portion? Four wins.