3. Texas A&M Aggies (8-4, 5-3)
The Aggies are at a crossroads, and are depending greatly upon former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino to turn around a stagnant offense. If he can’t do it, head coach Jimbo Fisher may be on his way out, perhaps as early as the coming offseason. The Aggies have amassed great talent, but it has underachieved across the board. Improvement isn’t just needed, it’s a requirement.
Rankings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
| Quarterbacks: Av Running Backs: Fr Wide Receivers: Ex Offensive Line: Av | Defensive Line: Av Linebackers: Fr Defensive Backs: Vg Special Teams: Ex |
Offense: What could go right
Petrino has been able to cook up a top-flight passing game no matter where he has coached, and he has probably the best group of wide receivers in the conference to work with. There’s a lot of depth here, and size to boot. The tight end group is overflowing with talent as well, and Petrino has made stars out of plenty of tight ends over the years. There should be good competition throughout the year between quarterbacks Conner Weigman and former LSU transfer Max Johnson, and Petrino’s overall track record in regard to developing quarterbacks is better than Fisher’s. Texas A&M lost five games by less than a touchdown last year; surely, Petrino could help make that up.
Offense: What could go wrong
The offensive line has a few familiar names but it didn’t perform up to expectations last year. Run blocking was good but pass protection was subpar and the line didn’t seem to communicate well. Is it fixed? The running back group is being rebuilt; Devon Achane is gone to the NFL and one of the criticisms of Fisher last year was that he didn’t develop anyone to take over after Achane’s inevitable departure. But the biggest issue may be Fisher himself, and how much control he allows Petrino to take over the offense. Fisher is notoriously a control freak when it comes to the offensive gameplan, and Petrino’s theory on offense couldn’t be much different than Fisher’s. All eyes will be on the sidelines if or when things go sideways in a game.
Defense: What could go right
The defensive line has been overstocked with talent the last couple of years, but never put it all together. According to those close to the A&M program, it appears the Aggies are on the verge of fixing this. There are at least seven guys in the primary rotation for 2023 who figure to be NFL players some day, but they have to prove it first. The Aggies fixed their secondary woes in 2022 and return a nice mix of holdovers and younger players with bright futures. Special teams will be among the best in the conference.
Defense: What could go wrong
The linebackers have to be better all around; no one was scared of the second level of the Aggie defense. In addition, there will be a new nickel safety operating behind this group, so the pressure is on. The primary charge to all Aggie defensive linemen is to get more serious about doing the little things necessary to become better against the run. The fact that even mid-pack teams pushed around such a talented unit last year was embarrassing.
One-sentence summary: This is likely Fisher’s last chance to justify his Aggie paycheck.
In the new college football, it doesn’t matter so much that Fisher has won two-thirds of his career games and holds a National Championship ring. His tenure in College Station has been a disappointment, and anything short of a trip to Atlanta will be seen as a failure. Alabama is vulnerable and LSU isn’t markedly better than the Aggies, so it’s time to either put up or shut up.
NEXT: 4. Ole Miss Rebels