Trending up under Fisher
Following another disappointing season under Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M placed a monster bet on coach Jimbo Fisher. Luring Fisher away from Florida State for an unprecedented 10-year, $75 million deal delivered quick returns in Year 1.
The Aggies won nine games for the first time since 2013, had their best finish in the SEC since 2012 and posted a 3-1 record in November. Under Sumlin, Texas A&M would become known for fast starts and stumbles down the stretch — his teams were 4-13 in November since 2013. The Aggies also were 6-1 at home under Fisher, including two wins in the SEC West.
Sumlin’s seven-game losing streak at home against West foes was another factor in his ouster.
How Fisher builds on the early success is one of the biggest storylines in the conference this season.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 FBS teams in the country entering the 2019. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 10: A&M
Texas
Coach: Jimbo Fisher (9-4 entering second season at Texas A&M, 92-27 overall)
2018 record: 9-4, 4-4 in Southeastern Conference; tied for second in West Division
Look back: A 28-26 Week 2 loss at home to eventual national champion Clemson served notice in College
2019 schedule
Station things were going to be different under Fisher. Still, the Aggies were not always on point the rest of the way, losing by two touchdowns or more at both Alabama and Mississippi State.
But Fisher’s first team at Texas A&M showed resilience and grit. An overtime win against Kentucky and a 26-23 decision at South Carolina were impressive. A 74-72 win in seven overtimes at home in the regular-season finale against LSU was historic. The victory also is likely to serve as the moment that Texas A&M under Fisher found its footing.
A 52-13 rout of N.C. State — a team that was 4-4 against Fisher while he was at FSU — put an exclamation point on a new era at A&M under Fisher. The sleeping giant in the SEC seems to have awoken.
Offensive starters 7
Offensive starters lost: 4
Defensive starters 4
returning: returning:
Defensive starters lost: 7
Key losses: RB Trayveon Williams, C Erik McCoy, TE Jace Sternberger, DT Daylon Mack, LB Alaka Otaro
Top returnees: QB Kellen Mond, WR Quartney Davis, DT Justin Madubuike, OT Dan Moore, P Braden Mann
Strengths: Quarterback Kellen Mond was fourth in the SEC in total offense as a sophomore, passing for 3,107 yards and rushing for another 474. He also totaled 31 touchdowns. Mond should only grow during his second season under Fisher, a noted developer of QBs. Mond also will operate behind an offensive line returning four starters, led by left tackle Dan Moore.
Mond lost top receiver Jace Sternberger but will have multiple options in the passing game beginning with junior Quartney Davis. Davis missed both the 2016 and 2017 seasons with knee injuries but rebounded to catch 45 passes for 585 yards and seven scores in 2018. Camron Buckley and Jhamon Ausbon each recorded more than 30 receptions and at least 375 receiving yards last season. Meanwhile, 6-foot-6, 240-pound freshman tight end Baylor Cupp of Brock, Texas, has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.55 seconds and has a 36-inch vertical leap — signs that point to a bright future in Fisher’s offense.
The Aggies’ defense has to replace seven starters, including all but one member of the front seven. But tackle Justin Madubuike, the one returning starter, could be a star a season after recording 40 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, as a sophomore. The next best defensive weapon could be punter Braden Mann. The reigning Ray Guy Award winner will flip field position and force opponents to sustain drives.
Weaknesses: Fisher’s offense has potential in spite of a run game with much to prove. Trayveon Williams left early for the NFL draft after he rushed for 1,760 yards and 18 scores. Sophomore Jashaun Corbin did average 5.7 yards on 61 carries to offer some hope at tailback.
Meanwhile, the Aggies’ defense has endless questions. The Aggies lost their top two tacklers and pass rushers from a unit that ranked seventh in the 14-team SEC.
Linebacker is the most unproven area. Junior Buddy Johnson is the most established of the group, but redshirt sophomore Anthony Hines III might have the most potential if he can rebound from a Week 2 ACL tear. The secondary has experience but significant scar tissue after allowing more receptions of 20 yards or longer than any SEC team. During a limited role a season ago, sophomore safety Leon O’Neal Jr. showed the instincts to be a playmaker.
Outlook: Fisher’s second Aggies team could be better than his first, especially on the offensive side of the football. Yet it might not translate to as many wins due to questions on defense and a schedule among the nation’s most exacting. A&M travels to Clemson in Week 2 and ends the regular season with visits to Georgia and LSU. But after just one season, few would argue the Aggies are headed in the right direction. Sometimes, it just takes awhile to make up ground in the SEC.