WHERE’S THE BANG?
Texas Bowl trophy is nice, but surely not what Texas A&M spent 75 million bucks on
There was certainly reason for Texas A&M to celebrate on Friday night.
The Aggies had just defeated No. 25 Oklahoma State 24-21 in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in the center one of the nation’s hotbeds for football recruiting.
Coach Jimbo Fisher got a Gatorade bath and quarterback Kellen Mond proudly sported a cowboy hat following the win.
Texas A&M players were proud of their performance, rightfully so. They were giddy with excitement and basking in their victory.
The celebration was warranted for one night.
But that’s where it ends. Because by Saturday, when the top four teams in NCAA football were battling it out in the College Football Playoff games in Atlanta and Glendale, the Aggies were back in College Station with an 8-5 2019 record and a Texas Bowl victory.
A lot of teams would be happy to have that record and a solid postseason win.
But Texas A&M is a program in search of more.
And over the last few years, the university has made that point crystal clear.
So five losses, finishing unranked and looking far from being a team capable of competing in the College Football Playoff is not going to cut it.
When A&M hired Fisher two years ago, the talk was of championships — and not Texas Bowl championships.
In his introductory press conference in front of distinguished alumni, administrators and hardcore Aggie fans (are there any other kind?) Fisher used words like “elite” when describing his hopes for the team. He talked about being able to “compete” with the best teams.
He spoke not just of conference championships, but of national ones.
“My expectations are bigger than anyone’s,” he said in December of 2017. “I can promise you that.”
While Fisher’s expectations were — and still are — high, there are higher ones.
Texas A&M wants to win. That’s why they shelled out a massive contract for Fisher.
Eight wins isn’t what they are paying $75 million for. Fisher is 17-9 in his first two seasons with the Aggies. And there is still time for them to turn the corner, win some big games and take on the elite label.
But the patience level of the Aggies’ faithful is wearing thin.
“There’s always next year” won’t work much longer.
Fisher has had time to implement his system and has recruited well each of the last two years, bringing in a crop of players he selected to fit said system.
He played 20 juniors and 30 freshmen and sophomores this season. The Aggies will have more depth, more experience and more leadership next season.
They will also have a much easier schedule. Clemson isn’t on tap next year and instead of Georgia, the Aggies will see Vanderbilt. With all of that working for the Aggies, 2020 should bring a better record and more notoriety.
For Fisher’s sake, it better.
A&M is chomping at the bit to not just win, but to contend.
The Aggies want to be in the national conversation when it comes to its football program. They want College Station to be a destination for recruits. They want to have a shot at the College Football Playoff.
And they want it soon.
Fisher believes they are getting closer. He thinks the Texas Bowl victory helped them take another step.
The last month taught his team many lessons.
“That the urgency you have to have to be great, the level of consistency and toughness and execution. When you get to a certain level, they don’t let you eat at that table unless you take a chair,” he said. “You have to knock your way in. You’ve got to understand, those teams are great. They want to stay there. You’ve got to want to be there. You’ve got to be so hungry you’re willing to work, run over them, and kick anybody out of there you’ve got to. It takes a special mindset. It takes a special ingredient. At the end of the day, the talent’s out, and it gets down to one thing, grit. Can you sink your teeth down into it and go do it? Hopefully, they see the level at which you’ve got to be at and we need to be at.
“We’re going to get there.”
For now, the Aggies are on the outside looking in. They have eight wins and a Texas
Bowl championship.
It’s a far cry from what Fisher expects and a long way off from what Texas A&M hoped for when they hired their 75-million-dollar man.
The Aggies got to celebrate on Friday night.
Now they have to look at what was ultimately a disappointing season and figure out how to make 2020 a much better one.