Texas A&M in high cotton, excited about 2005

History shows winning is not crucial. The key was Texas A&M getting to a New Year's Day bowl.

Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione would tend to agree.

"It's a bonus to be here, irregardless of what happens," Franchione said. "I think the advantage of being in a New Year's Day game and being in a state where we recruit so heavily, the exposure that it gives us, then if we are able to win the game. Then, the bonus gets bigger, because of the spring it sends you into the offseason, into spring practice, and into the next season.

"We are a relatively young football team. I think this will be a good building block for us and a good step in where we want to go."

Win or lose against the Vols in the Cotton Bowl, the Aggies figure to be ranked in the top 15 to start next season.

Texas A&M will return eight starters on offense, led by quarterback Reggie McNeal, who could be a Heisman Trophy candidate. The defense also will return eight starters.

McNeal Catalyst: McNeal has thrown for 2,550 yards and rushed for another 700, accounting for 21 total touchdowns.

Franchione said McNeal is the team's catalyst on offense.

"We still haven't gotten Reggie where he can go," Franchione said. "The sky's the limit for him in his remaining collegiate football games and his career. And we're excited we get to be part of it in helping him to reach that potential."

No Comment From Koenning: Texas A&M offensive coordinator Les Koenning Jr. is among three candidates "in serious contention" to fill New Mexico State's coaching vacancy, university president Michael Martin told the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Koenning said through a spokesman that he will not comment on any coaching jobs until after Saturday's game. New Mexico State athletic director McKinley Boston told the newspaper the new coach would be named before Saturday.

Southeastern Louisiana coach Hal Mumme and Notre Dame defensive coordinator Kent Baer are the other two candidates.

Koenning, 45, joined Franchione at Texas Christian in 2000 as passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach. He was Franchione's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Alabama for two years.

Notebook: Franchione said the players' names won't be put back on the jerseys for the game, nor has anyone on the team brought it up. ... A&M worked out in full pads at SMU on Monday. ... Franchione said everyone is healthy and ready to go.