How does Texas A&M football define success in 2020?

The Aggies are 9-7 in the SEC under Jimbo Fisher and 1-7 against the top 10. They are 0-2 against Alabama, Auburn and Clemson. What constitutes a successful season for the Aggies? 

At the end of the 2017 season, the Texas A&M Aggies capped a disappointing season with a 55-52 loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Inconsistent play and one of the worst defenses in the SEC cost then-head coach Kevin Sumlin his job. Former Athletic Director Scott Woodward had one mission; hire a sitting Power 5 coach with a National Title on his resume.

In one of the more serendipitous moments in sports, there was a coach who fit that description who wanted a divorce from his program. That coach was Jimbo Fisher. The coach-in-waiting under Bobby Bowden wanted out of Tallahassee, and the Aggies wanted a coach synonymous with coaching at an elite level and a crack recruiter. It was the perfect match. Jimbo is one of the best recruiters in college football and has a reputation for developing quarterbacks.

In Fisher’s first two seasons in College Station, the Aggies are 17-9 and 9-7 in conference play. The defense has made strides in Jimbo’s first two seasons, surrendering three fewer points from 2018 to 2019. Fisher’s first season saw the Aggies lose close games to Clemson and Auburn and an upset win against LSU.

The Aggies had the distinction of playing the No. 1 team in the country three separate times in 2019. Texas A&M opened the season against Clemson, then played Alabama when they were the top-ranked team in the country and played LSU on its way to the most remarkable offensive season in the history of modern college football.

In Fisher’s two seasons, the Aggies have finished no better than third in the conference, no 10-win seasons, and no New Year’s Six Bowl game. Because of the pandemic, there is likely no reason to think Fisher is on the hot seat without a big season, but the criticisms will get louder.

What is a successful season in College Station?

In a typical season, the answer is 10-wins. This season, however, the Aggies only play ten games. As far as their record, who Texas A&M beats is as vital as how many games they win. The Aggies have a strict October schedule with No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Florida and No. 16 Mississippi State. Not only do the Aggies need to win two of those games, but the game they lose also needs to be competitive.

That is a tough ask since there is no bye week between any of those games (barring any COVID incidents). The Aggies need to defeat one of the Alabama schools as well. They’ve been locked in a battle with Auburn for third in the conference, and neither of their outings with Alabama has been close under Fisher.

Other markers of success for Texas A&M

The defense has improved under defensive coordinator Mike Elko. The Aggies need to take the next step. Specifically, how well they defend Alabama. In their two meetings, A&M has surrendered 46 points per game against the Crimson Tide; about 23 points more than what the Aggies surrender to other teams.

Kellen Mond has to progress. Mond has all the tools Fisher wants in a quarterback. The senior quarterback has plenty of weapons around him; it’s time for Mond to become a game-changer at quarterback. Elite teams have elite quarterback play. Last season, Mond was good against average teams and ineffective against top-tier teams. That is not going to get it done.

Mond has to show he can play in pressure situations this season. He has to be trustworthy when the chips are down. That is something he has not done under Fisher.

When the Aggies decided to invest over $90 million for Fisher (Fisher’s salary, assistants, and severance for Sumlin), they paid for championships. With LSU and Alabama transitioning at quarterback, this could be the year they turn the corner.

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