4. Randy McCown (1997-1999)
Randy McCown is most known by A&M fans for two reasons. His game winning touchdown pass in double overtime to Sirr Parker (and Dave South’s call of it – “…he’s at the 20…the 15…the 10…the 5…he got touchdown! He got a touchdown! He got a touchdown! He got a touchdown!…oh, doctor!”) will live on in Aggie lore as one of the greatest plays and calls ever; the pass lifted the Aggies to their only Big XII Conference title, a defeat of No. 2 Kansas State 36-33 in 1998. That would be the only conference title the Aggies would win as members of the Big XII.
McCown is also remembered for helping the Aggies take down then-number five tu in the 1999 Bonfire Game. He struggled through most of the first half but made throws when it counted in the second, giving the Aggies a much needed win.
The Aggies went 28-11 with McCown under center and played in three straight bowl games, though they lost all three. McCown took the Aggies to their first-ever Sugar Bowl, a 24-14 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The team went to consecutive bowl games and finished the season ranked in the top 25 of the final polls every year under McCown, a feat only repeated once in the years since then (by guess who).