A high-stakes SEC opener turns personal as Kentucky’s defensive coordinator brings intimate knowledge of the Aggies back to College Station, testing Mike Elko’s revamped scheme and personnel.
Texas A&M will have plenty of familiarity on the opposing sideline when Kentucky comes to Kyle Field this weekend.
The Aggies are preparing to face former defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, who spent the previous two seasons in College Station before leaving to take the same position on first-year Kentucky head coach Will Stein’s staff. Bateman now gets an opportunity to bring his knowledge of Texas A&M’s personnel and defensive tendencies back to College Station.
For Texas A&M edge rusher T.J. Searcy, that familiarity is something the Aggies have to account for.
"It's definitely not the exact same. We've changed pretty much all of our terminology," Searcy said.
The familiarity works both ways. Bateman knows the Aggies’ players, coaching staff, and some of the concepts that were part of Texas A&M’s defensive system during his time with the program. At the same time, Elko and the Aggies have made changes since Bateman’s departure, and they may know how he likes to run UK's defense.
The matchup also comes at the start of SEC play, adding another layer to an already intriguing meeting. Elko has said he notices a different energy around the program once conference play begins, regardless of the opponent.
"Every game has meaning, and every game has a stage and importance," Elko said. "But the second you throw up an SEC logo on that Monday meeting of, ‘OK, hey, it's SEC week,’ you just kind of see everything perk up a little bit."
For Texas A&M, Saturday's matchup will therefore be about more than simply opening SEC play. The Aggies will also have to contend with a familiar face who knows the program well.
Even with all of that being said, most of the Texas A&M players will be happy to see Bateman again after all he did for them, including Aggies cornerback Dezz Ricks, who was recruited by the team's former defensive coordinator.
"I'm definitely looking forward to playing them," Ricks said. "I have nothing bad to say about Coach Bateman. I've known him since I was in eighth grade. (He) recruited me for a long time. Definitely looking forward to the matchup."
But at the end of the day, even though there is no bad blood between Bateman and his former team, it will get serious when the Wildcats and the Aggies step onto that field.
