1. Today could be a good day for Isaiah Spiller. The former A&M running back, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, got very little playing time this past season. That could change in 2023, with running back Austin Ekeler, the Chargers' do-it-all back, getting permission to seek a trade. If Ekeler goes, and it sounds like he will, then Spiller could have a real shot at the starting job in L.A. next fall.

2. Today could be a good day for Trayveon Williams. The starter before Spiller is with the Cincinnati Bengals, and got very limited work as a back behind Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. If the Bengals bring Williams back, then he could see an increased number of carries as Perine signed a two-year deal with Denver today. Or, he could find somewhere else to go with the promise of more playing time.

3. Today IS a good day for Donovan Wilson. The former Aggie safety signed a 3-year, $24 million deal to stay in Dallas today. He's getting paid good money, as he should -- he just makes plays and tackles people, as he did at A&M. Not bad for a late-round pick.

4. People are starting to properly evaluate Devon Achane. It's ridiculous that it took this long, but I'm seeing a lot of "this is a football player who also runs track." Well, duh. Does anyone really watch tape and evaluate before March? Yes, Achane is undersized. Yes, he's really fast. But he's a patient runner, has great vision and can still run through you. You know, like a football player.

5. A visit from Colin Simmons is big in multiple ways. Landyn reported this afternoon that Duncanville 5-star DE Colin Simmons is going to make an unofficial visit to A&M in early April. If he does show up, that's a big deal. Not just because he's the best defensive end in the country, but A&M and Duncanville haven't exactly been buddy-buddy for the last...well, a long time. Duncanville clearly has a lot of talent, and maybe this is the first step in a thaw between the two sides. I don't think he'll come to A&M and I doubt they think they'll get him, but you have to start somewhere.

6. Tyrel Dodson had a good day. The former Aggie linebacker was an exclusive rights free agent with the Bills and re-signed in Buffalo. Considering the losses they're experiencing at linebacker in free agency, he could be looking at a considerable boost in playing time this fall.

7. Don't count on that happening twice. It bears repeating the Wade Taylor was shut out in the first half and ended up only 3-11 from the field. Alabama had the length and the athleticism to slow him down -- but they only did it once, not twice. Everyone was off last Sunday, so if Penn State is expecting another bad day from 4 as part of their game plan, they may live to regret it and not much longer.

8. Contrasting styles in Des Moines. Penn State does not like playing in the low post. They like to stay outside and very rarely go to the rim. They are, relatively speaking, short. A&M, of course, wants to get in the low post with Julius Marble and Henry Coleman and attack the rim with their guards. That is not where Penn State wants to be.

9. Dexter Dennis has his assignment. His name is Jalen Pickett, he's a guard (6-4, 200) and, like Dennis, is a fifth-year senior transfer. His numbers are impressive: he led the Nittany Lions in points per game (18.1), assists per game (6.8), field goal percentage (52.1%), rebounds per game (7.4), steals per game (0.9). He is not your ordinary player, but Dennis is not your ordinary defender.

10. I have a feeling this will be a Boots game. If the Aggies are going to win Thursday night, Boots Radford will have to be the difference maker. With the exception of a 6-10 true freshman center, Penn State is undersized (he should have fun with Marble). This could mean opportunities to attack the rim, and that's where Radford is at his best. If he sets the tone, the team will follow.