clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Who to watch in the 2014 Super Bowl if you're a Texas Aggie

Aggies will have rooting interests for both the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks

Texas A&M has three players on the Seahawks' roster, so it should seem like a no-brainer to pull for Seattle in the Super Bowl. Michael Bennett (no. 72) and Red Bryant (no. 79) rotate at left defensive end. Christine Michael (no. 33) is a third-string RB and special teams contributor. Seattle's college scouting coordinator, Kirk Parrish, worked with Aggie football operations from 1997-99.

Michael Bennett played defensive line at Texas A&M from 2005-08. In his junior and senior seasons, he registered 85 tackles, including 18.5 for losses. Bennett was honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2007. He may be best-known for punishing Longhorn QB Colt McCoy. Michael's brother is Martellus Bennett (TE, Chicago) who was a better known Aggie in college, but has had a less prolific pro career.

Red Bryant was a leader throughout his career at Texas A&M, best known for his effectiveness against the run. He had a phenomenal freshman season, registering 34 tackles, deflecting 2 passes, and blocking a kick. Bryant capped his Aggie career as a senior with 41 tackles and honorable mention for the All-Big 12 team.

Christine Michael was a 5-star running back out of Beaumont who chose Texas A&M over schools like Florida, LSU, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. He played for the Aggies from 2009-12. Michael was named Offensive Freshman of the Year in '09 and honorable mention All-Big 12 in '11. Michael's career was hampered by injuries, but the Seattle Seahawks drafted the supremely-talented back in the 2nd round.

Unfortunately, the 12th Man debate has made rooting for the Seahawks contentious, and many Ags are hating Seattle right now. Texas A&M licenses use of the "12th Man" trademark to Seattle for $5,000 per year following a lump sum of $100,000 that was previously paid. You can read the contract details here as obtained by GBH's spadilly. The storied history of the 12th Man makes many Aggies upset that Seattle is able to use the trademark, but many people have noted that this licensing agreement was necessary to protect the mark from further proliferation. During an interview this week, Red Bryant declared, "the 12th Man is in College Station, Texas."

Denver Broncos

Von Miller is a one-man show as far as Aggie representation on Denver is concerned. But WHAT. A. SHOW! It's been a tough year for Von... one that began with a six-game suspension for violating league policy and ended with a torn ACL during a road win in Houston. Aggies love Von, so even though he won't be active during the Super Bowl, many of us would love to see him earn a ring.

Miller played at A&M from 2007-10. He was an impact player throughout his career, but became a breakout sensation in his junior season. Von led the nation with 17 sacks and was named first team All-Big 12 and first team All-American. In his senior year, Miller switched to outside linebacker in Tim DeRuyter's 3-4 defense and recorded 10.5 sacks. Miller was again named first team All-Big 12 and first team All-American, and he earned the Butkus Award as the country's best linebacker. It's hard to pick out individual plays for Von because there are many, but Aggies will fondly remember his interception against the Garrett Gilbert-led Longhorns to seal a 2010 victory in Austin.

SB Nation 2014 NFL Playoff Coverage

Infographic

Odds to Win Super Bowl MVP at Bovada

Peyton Manning (DEN) 8/5
Russell Wilson (SEA) 13/4
Marshawn Lynch (SEA) 6/1
Demaryius Thomas (DEN) 16/1
Wes Welker (DEN) 16/1
Richard Sherman (SEA) 16/1
Percy Harvin (SEA) 16/1
Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 18/1
Eric Decker (DEN) 20/1
Julius Thomas (DEN) 25/1
Golden Tate (SEA) 33/1
Earl Thomas (SEA) 33/1
Doug Baldwin (SEA) 40/1
Montee Ball (DEN) 50/1
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DEN) 50/1
Kam Chancellor (SEA) 66/1
Danny Trevathan (DEN) 66/1
Champ Bailey (DEN) 66/1
Zach Miller (SEA) TE 75/1
Matt Prater (DEN) 100/1
Steven Hauschka (SEA) 100/1
Duke Ihenacho (DEN) 100/1
Michael Bennett (SEA) 100/1
Field (Any Other Player) 20/1

How to watch Super Bowl XLVIII

Teams: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos

Date: Sunday, February 2, 2014

Kickoff time: 6:25 EST / 5:25 CST

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Super Bowl score by quarter: Live SB Nation scoreboard

Live stream: FOX Sports Go (Sign-in is not required during the Super Bowl TV broadcast)

TV channel: FOX (A full list of international broadcasters is available here)

Radio: NFL on Westwood One (Choose your station here), with Kevin Harlan as the play-by-play announcer

Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman; Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews are sideline reporters

Officials: Terry McAulay and his crew

Current odds: Broncos by 2-1/2 | O/U: 48

Halftime show performance: Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers

National anthem: Renee Fleming

Current ticket prices: TicketMaster.com