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Baby's Mailbag: On judging A&M's progress, fast food, the Mean Green and the CFP 

Before we start this week's mailbag, give Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin some credit.

A young team that was supposed to be rebuilding is somehow in line for one of A&M's best years in the SEC. The Sumlin Narrative™ has completely flipped from a few weeks ago. A guy who was on the verge of being fired could now leave on his own after this season.

But how much progress has Sumlin made? What kind of margin for error does TCU have? And what fast food joints do we need in Texas?

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Time to stop stalling and get into this week's mailbag.

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A: We're still in the sifting process. Right now, it's a little too early to tell if A&M is the real deal and the program has shown signs of true progress. But I have good news. There's an easy way to figure out if there's growth, and it has to do with getting revenge.

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If Sumlin and A&M (5-2, 3-1 SEC) can defeat Mississippi State on Oct. 28 and then win at Mississippi on Nov. 18, it gives the Aggies the most conference wins in a season since 2012.

Of course, that's what we said last season, when A&M started SEC play 4-0 before it lost its final four conference games.

In Johnny Manziel's Heisman season, A&M went 6-2 against conference foes. If A&M takes care of the Mississippi schools and then beats LSU or Auburn, a very realistic scenario, that could happen again.

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But A&M still has a lot of work left. And as everyone in the gold mining business says, "Sometimes it takes a while to know what you've got. Also, are we the only gold miners left?"

A: Great question, Grant. No. 13 Notre Dame is most at-risk of falling out of playoff contention. Right now, the Irish's only defeat is a 1-point loss to No. 3 Georgia (7-0), which isn't a bad loss. If Notre Dame runs the table, it's going to be hard for the committee to keep the Irish out. But this week, coach Brian Kelly's bunch faces No. 11 USC (6-1). I picked Notre Dame because USC hasn't looked impressive this season, but the Irish are less than a 4-point favorite.

A: Given the way the No. 4 Horned Frogs have played this season, it feels like the committee might have a tough time excluding them in that scenario. Personally, I feel like the Big 12 is pretty good this year, which means TCU should have a decent strength of schedule. But it'll just depend on the resumes of the other 1-loss teams. Remember, TCU doesn't have a great nonconference win (Arkansas doesn't count because the Hogs are awful this year). If TCU gets left out, coach Gary Patterson will hate the CFP committee for the rest of his life.

A: This question becomes increasingly difficult because more places keep coming to Texas. Eventually, we'll get spots like Cook Out or Bojangles in the Lone Star State. But if I had it my way, I'd open a Portillo's in College Station. Portillo's is an Illinois-based chain known for hot dogs and sandwiches and open in seven states, none of which are anywhere near Texas. My buddy took me there when I was in Chicago a few years ago and it was amazing. It was described to me as Chicago's version of Whataburger. Take a look at this Italian beef sandwich and tell me I'm wrong.

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A: First of all, can we acknowledge how weird it is to consider North Texas' bowl outlook in October? This is a program that's played in two bowl games since 2004, with both being in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. And good grades were the reason why a 5-win UNT team was in it last season.

But this year's different. The Mean Green are 4-2 this season and 3-0 in Conference USA. There are three likely landing spots: the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, the New Mexico Bowl or the New Orleans Bowl. UNT fans will be happy with any of those options, but the game in Fort Worth might be the most appealing for the Mean Green and the bowl organizers. That leads to the next question...

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A: This is the big thing Mean Green fans are worried about. Getting your successful coach poached is a fact of life in the "Group of Five" conferences. Barring a ridiculous run at the end of the season, UNT should be able to keep him for at least another year. He's still flying under the radar, but that could change if the coaching market shifts in December.

While we head into the mailbag's home stretch, I just want to say this is easily the best edition yet. Also, thanks for reading and making this a lot of fun each week. If you haven't already subscribed, now's not a bad time. Click here to subscribe.

OK, let's end this thing strong.

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A: There's a reason I committed to #CanesCrew18 (and no, it's not because the bag men made me a great offer, unless you're referring to the people who hand me my food). The quality of the chicken and toast at Cane's is superior to Layne's, a College Station staple. I know it's an unpopular take in Aggieland, but Cane's is slightly better. Also, here's former College Station resident Kenny Hill's take on the subject:

A: I haven't been to Koppe Bridge yet, but I have visited Chicken Oil Co. and it's pretty terrific. Also, I'm a big fan of all the décor on the inside. College Station has a few solid places to eat. But you already knew that, Aaron.

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A: Hmm, Jim. I'd say it's like thinking Dickey's had the best barbeque in the world before taking a bite of some soft, fatty brisket smoked inside state lines. It's like listening to Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line and believing that's what country music is supposed to sound like. It only appears high-quality because you don't know any better. But once you get the good stuff, you wonder how you settled for anything less in the first place.