Texas A&M football is facing an important 2018 season under Jimbo Fisher but what can we realistically expect from the Aggies?
After years of falling short of expectations under Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M decided to swing for the fences in its coaching search. Rumors were swirling about Jimbo Fisher entertaining an offer from the Aggies and he kept quiet until the talk was deafening.
Before the end of Florida State’s 2017 season, Fisher packed up and left Tallahassee for College Station, taking his sparkling resume with him, including a national title.
When Texas A&M fans hear the words “national title-winning coach”, they’re led to believe they’ll instantly get a shot at a national championship. Maybe this is more of a desperate hope rather than a realistic expectation, seeing as the Aggies haven’t won a title since the 1930s, but Fisher has already brought a new culture to Texas A&M.
The Aggies’ recruiting is keeping pace with the rest of the SEC and they’re in the same sentence as perennial powerhouse Alabama — the Aggies rank No. 2 in 2019 recruiting.
But what does this mean for the Aggies’ immediate future? What are their realistic expectations for the 2018 season?
Looking at the schedule, returning players, departing players and incoming freshmen, along with a fresh look at head coach, the Aggies could be an 8-4 or 9-3 team in year one of the Fisher era. They have tough games in the first month against Clemson and Alabama, at home and on the road, respectively, with a couple of sure wins mixed in.
Sitting at 2-2 before a Sept. 29 matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Aggies will have to prepare for it as a must-win. They’ve played well in this rivalry game over the past few years and should snag a win over the rebuilding Razorbacks.
Fisher should lead the Aggies past Kentucky, South Carolina and Mississippi State, or two of those three games, and Auburn, Ole Miss and LSU could present the toughest matchups near the end of the year.
Don’t be surprised by an 8-4 season by Texas A&M in 2018, and it shouldn’t be considered a disappointment, either. Fisher has his work cut out, but he’s on the right track with top recruiting classes coming in and a talented young core of players.
Next: 5 reasons Texas A&M can win 2018 national title
Expect and 8-9 win season from the Aggies and a potential third or fourth place finish in the SEC West, but this just sets them up for a huge 2019 season with title aspirations.