Agree, but managing that, and keeping his QB's onboard, was definitely on Sumlin. And he totally failed in that. An example, I think, of the lack of discipline and overall program control that seemed to be the root of the Aggies not succeeding more under his watch. Which is all why Fisher was definitely the right choice. A 180 in terms of discipline and program control.
The time frame on Alabama is coming to an end, probably sooner rather than later. Saban is 66. Not really any new challenges, nor anything remaining to be proved. I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire in a year or two. And Alabama of all places knows what happens when a great coach retires, and how long it can take to get back to that level. Plus, other teams are already very competetive with them. Clemson. Georgia. Maybe Ohio State. Auburn has beaten them. LSU always a danger to do so. (scary that most of these other teams are also in the SEC).
Good point, but as you wrote, look at all the teams in the SEC ready to take their place. If the Aggies don't win today, the discussion on that ridiculous "salary" will resume.
OMG I would kill for a screencap of that Corps yokel right after Kentucky just scored. eta: the Aggie player signaling TD on the hail mary in the endzone while the incomplete pass rolls around at his feet would be a nice one too.
Yes, even if Saban retires and Alabama drops down...the SEC is still incredibly tough. Do agree on the Kentucky game. Had they lost that, they could easily have been looking at 5 or 6 losses...a big drop off from expectations after the Clemson game. Multiple tough games remaining: Auburn, LSU, Miss St, even South Carolina and Ole Miss certainly not a given.
I think Jimbo (rightfully) gets a pass for not toppling Alabama while Nickolas reigns in Tuscaloosa, if his torrid recruiting pace doesn't fall off a cliff after year one, dependent entirely on his year 2 performance. Jimbo is a great recruiter, but take a look at some other schools in the top-25 of recruiting: Oregon (at #4!!!), Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Miss State, Nebraska is 26 but they are 0-5! All of these programs plus A&M benefit from the first-year coaching boon, where the new coach throws out offers to errbody and the hype is matched only by the amount of starting opportunities for the first wave of the new coach's players. The best case scenario for A&M is UGA, #3 class while going 7-5, then jumped to #1 after winning the SEC in year 2 of Kirby Smart, and still at #3 today. Worst case scenario is USC, the Clay Helton hype is gone now that Darnold left, and USC went from #4 in 2018 to #19 in 2019, getting boat raced by oregon and now spends the 2019 class collecting similar talent to Stanford and Washington. A&M truly sits at a crossroads in the next two years, they go 10-2 or 11-1 with a win over Bama next year and I see them competing for CFP spots for the next 5-7 years, more 8-4, 9-3 seasons in the future won't be the worst thing in the world, but you don't pay 120 million dollars for a coach and countless millions more in renovations for football in a top 3 talented state with all the money in the world in the most publicized conference to go 8-4 for eternity. A&M could really shift the total balance of power in Texas, and make it look a lot more like Florida (multiple title winning schools taking most of the talent) than California (One blue-blood, a bunch of also-rans, and out-of state teams poach the state at will).
Yes. and now this week with SC, then next week with Miss St, then Auburn, then Ole Miss, then finally with LSU. Aggies could lose any one of those games...or any two...or any three...or even any four. Even though this is the first year of his program, if its any more than two, it will be viewed as a disappointment. Maybe even any more than one, even though Aggies might be underdogs in four of those five (currently very slight favorities against SC, but with FPI saying slight edge to SC). The SEC West is just really really tough. Anybody who doesn't think it is the toughest division in football is just not paying attention. You can be a really really good football team, and be fourth in that division.
I really don't care how many they lose this year to be honest. Y'all SURE he needs to win right away or things will go sour? I doubt it. Despite the money.
Great win last week. Playoffs are highly unlikely, but a high ranking is good this season and helps setup next year.
South Carolina has a terrible run defense, A&M should be able to run the ball with more authority. I want to see Kellen Mond have a better overall game than last week. Have to keep in eye on USC big time player Deebo Samuel.
It appears that the Aggies may end up with the same record as last year. The bolt to the SEC might be worth rethinking. Can you imagine the Aggies back in the Big 12?
