Tag: Jimbo Fisher

LSU takes on spoiler role as Texas A&M Aggies focus on College Football Playoff push

LSU travels to College Station to take on a Texas A&M team that is currently ranked just outside of the College Football Playoff.

As if it were not already visibly clear, LSU is now officially in the role of potential spoiler for teams vying for a spot in this year’s College Football Playoff.

The initial rankings from the College Football Playoff selection committee debuted Tuesday night. This week’s opponent for the Tigers, the Texas A&M Aggies, is the first team out of the four-team playoff field. The Aggies debuts at No. 5 in the playoff rankings.

For Texas A&M, the No. 5 ranking from the selection committee is the highest the program has been ranked in the playoff poll since Nov. 1, 2016. The Aggies were ranked No. 4 in that week’s rankings, but the Aggies went into a second-half stumble the rest of the year. Texas A&M lost back-to-back games against Mississippi State and Ole Miss and eventually ended the year with a regular-season finale loss to LSU (54-39) and a Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State.

With Texas A&M on the doorstep of the College Football Playoff, is there a chance LSU can lock the door on the Aggies?

Given the current landscape of college football, it would seem likely that a second loss for Texas A&M would be enough to knock the Aggies out of the playoff picture with time beginning to run out. But LSU is a significant underdog on the road and may not be the ideal candidate to through Texas A&M for a loop in the playoff hunt.

Texas A&M opens as a big favorite over LSU, per BetMGM

Nothing would please Texas A&M more than to make their first playoff statement against the school that won it all a year ago (and embarrassed them on the way to doing so). While this LSU team may be nowhere close to what it was a season ago, the colors on the jersey are the same and enough to keep Texas A&M motivated as they move forward with their playoff push.

If former LSU coordinator Jimbo Fisher is going to lead his second program to a spot in the College Football Playoff (he coached Florida State to the inaugural College Football Playoff a season after winning the BCS National Championship against Auburn), then it will be up to Kellen Mond to continue to produce running the offense. Mond enters this weekend having thrown 16 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Mond will be the focus of the LSU defense this week, naturally. Whether or not Bo Pelini has the pass defense patched up enough to take Mond off his rhythm remains to be seen.

For Mond, this week will be about some personal redemption. Last year against LSU, Mond completed just 10-of-30 attempts for 92 passing yards. He went without a touchdown and was picked off three times by the eventual national champions. The good news for Mond is this LSU team is far removed from the national championship level of a year ago.

LSU has dominated recent series with Texas A&M

Brian Kelly Makes Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List

Brian Kelly is on a mission to prove that the 2020 iteration of Notre Dame football is the best under his watch.

Brian Kelly is on a mission to prove that the 2020 iteration of Notre Dame football is the best under his watch. Those on the outside looking in can see that, and the results have made Kelly one of 19 coaches to make this year’s Bobby Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List. There is no higher honor for a college football coach. With an 8-0 record, No. 2 ranking and Academic Progress Rating of 970, the Irish have made Kelly worthy of this list.

Some of college football’s most prominent coaches join Kelly on this year’s list. They include Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney, Jimbo Fisher, Paul Chryst, Gus Malzahn, Lincoln Riley, Mike Gundy and Pat Fitzgerald. With that type of company, there’s still a long way to go before Kelly can prove he’s the one who should take this year’s award. This would be the second time in three years he’s won it, and he would join Joe Paterno and Bill Snyder as the only two-time winners of the trophy since it first was awarded in 1976.

SEC Week 5 Conference Power Rankings

The Alabama Crimson Tide top the week 5 SEC Power Rankings following their win over Georgia.

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The Georgia Bulldogs got outscored 21-0 in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Stetson Bennett threw three interceptions for the University of Georgia. The Dawgs fell 41-24 to Alabama, who showed off their superior offense and quarterback play.

Mac Jones, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith had their way with Georgia’s defense. The Alabama offensive line won the battle in the trenches and their defense got a pair of deflections that led to interceptions.

Additionally, in week five SEC action, the Arkansas Razorbacks beat the Ole Miss Rebels. Jimbo Fisher, Kellen Mond, and the Texas A&M Aggies defeated Mike Leach and the reeling Mississippi State Bulldogs.

South Carolina got a huge win over Auburn and Kentucky blew out Tennessee. Here’s SEC Mike’s week five power rankings:

What do you think of the rankings. It is hard to disagree with the top. Texas A&M should probably be over Arkansas and Ole Miss seems too high, but they did beat Kentucky.

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Texas A&M vs Florida: 5 Thoughts On The 41-38 Aggie Win Over The Gators

5 thoughts and an instant reaction on the Texas A&M win over Florida.

5 thoughts and an instant reaction on the Texas A&M win over Florida.

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5. Jimbo Fisher got his win

Texas A&M was mediocre in a 17-12 win against Vanderbilt, and it was thoroughly outclassed in the 52-24 loss to Alabama.

Finally, he was able to beat a top five team as the Aggie head coach, but it has to be the beginning. This is what a guy with a national championship ring and a ten-year contract is supposed to do.

This needs to be the game-changer. This needs to be when Texas A&M knows it really can not only hang with the best teams in college football, but beat them.

This was tough. Florida was fantastic, the Aggies were down in the second half, and they adjusted, fought through the adversity, and they came back to pull it off. They forced the late turnover, they took advantage of the situation, and they did it.

It is possible to win really, really big games at Texas A&M.

4. Texas A&M figured out how to pound away

Kellen Mond was brilliant. This was his signature win, hitting 25-of-35 passes for 338 yards and three scores as he calmly led the way on the game-winning drive, but this all turned on the offensive line.

This was the moment when the Aggies knew they could pound away when needed.

The Texas A&M running game was fine in the first two games, but nothing special.

Isaiah Spiller had a few big runs, and super-soph Ainias Smith was used a bit, but the ground attack failed to to hit 200 yards against Vanderbilt and was stuffed by Alabama.

That all changed against the Gators, and it started with a brutal ten play, 75-yard touchdown drive after getting down 28-17 early in the second half on the way to rushing for 205 yards and averaging over five yards per carry.

The offensive line was finally able to eat. It dominated the Gator defensive front when it had to.

3. The Florida defense couldn’t close

Kyle Trask threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s on a better pace than Joe Burrow was after three games last year.

Kyle Pitts was good again – at least early – and the running game was fine. There might have been a late turnover, but this one is on the defense.

The Gators were flirting with problems over the first two games, and against the Aggies, they got burned by a grilling day from QB Kellen Mond, that pounding ground game that took over in the second half, and they couldn’t come through when needed.

The Gators were beaten by big plays through the air, they were ground on when it was time to get physical, and there were problems everywhere in between.

Florida has the talent on D, and it allowed A&M to convert 12-of-15 third down tries along with a fourth down chance. It had to come up with one big stop late, and couldn’t do it.

However …

NEXT: What it means for Florida

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5 reasons Alabama covers against Texas A&M, and 1 reason they won’t

Could the Tide cover the spread? Yes and no. Let’s find out why and how.

On Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Texas A&M Aggies in the conference-only home opener in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as the teams meet for the thirteenth time in Alabama football history.

The Aggies, who defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 17-12 are looking to redeem themselves after a rough season opener. Although the Aggies won, they struggled on both sides of the ball, and only finished with 376 total yards of offense. Aggies’ quarterback Kellen Mond finished the game going 17-28 for 189 yards and 1 TD. This game against Alabama will be a statement game to show what they’re capable of this season in the SEC.

As for the Crimson Tide, who beat the Missouri Tigers 38-19, the Tide is looking to win big in their home opener of the season. Alabama showed room for growth and improvement on both sides of the ball, but they showed to be a much more hungry and determined team than they were last season. Mac Jones put on a show going 18-24 for 249 yards and 2 TDs.

Alabama is 10-2 against the Aggies in series history, and under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 7-1 against the Aggies.

Alabama has outscored Texas A&M, 423- 220, and under Saban, Alabama has also outscored the Aggies, 325- 178.

Oddsmakers at BetMGM have Alabama listed as an 18-point favorite against the Aggies.

Could the Tide cover the spread?

Yes and no.

Let’s find out why and how.

These are five ways the Crimson Tide could easily cover.

1. Mac Jones and Alabama’s offensive weapons

Sep 26, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Mac Jones proved himself worthy of the starting quarterback job against Missouri. Jones went 18 of 24 for 249 yards and 2 TDs, and he didn’t even play the entire game. He showcased his ability to throw accurately, and well as down the field, and finished the game with a 95.2 QBR.

As for the offensive weapons, Jaylen Waddle was the star of the night. He finished with 8 receptions for 134 yards and 2 TDs. DeVonta Smith didn’t record a touchdown, but he did finish the game with 8 carries for 89 yards.

If Alabama plays like they did on Saturday, the Tide won’t have any trouble on offense converting the spread.

Next.. a familiar running back!

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How matchup with Alabama could make or break Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M

Saturday’s game against Alabama will truly make or break for Fisher because it’s beyond time for Fisher to prove himself at Texas A&M.

When Texas A&M hired Jimbo Fisher, they were desperate for change, in more ways than one. At the time, Texas A&M had just endured a 7-5 season under Kevin Sumlin. And during his 5 seasons with the Aggies, Sumlin went  51–26 at A&M, with a 25–23 record in the SEC.

Simply put, the Aggies weren’t satisfied.

When Sumlin was fired on November 26, 2017, many wondered what was next. Who would be the coach to take over the reins and hopefully lead the Aggies back into the spotlight as a winning team in the SEC.

On December 4, 2017, Texas A&M announced Jimbo Fisher as the new head coach. And on paper, it seemed to be a good fit.

Nov 30, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher yells to an official in the second half against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

During Fisher’s 8 years at Florida State, he led the Seminoles to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships, six ten-win seasons, and led the Seminoles to win the 2013 national championship.

So when Fisher was hired, excitement and hopes filled College Station. Hopes that maybe, just maybe, the Aggies would become a team in the SEC West to give Alabama a run for their money.

Except, that hasn’t happened. Not yet at least. And Aggies fans are becoming impatient.

Sep 22, 2018; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban prior to the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

This is the 3rd time the Aggies have faced the Crimson Tide under Jimbo Fisher.

In 2018, Alabama won 45-23.

And in 2019, Alabama once again won, 47-28.

Texas A&M hasn’t beaten Alabama since 2012 when Johnny Manziel and the Aggies shocked the Tide at home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 29-24.

Aggies fans want a real victory to show that Fisher was worth every single penny of his 10 year/$75 million dollar contract.

During his first season, Fisher led the Aggies to an 8–4 record. That season, the Aggies beat the No.7 LSU Tigers. They went on to play, and beat, NC State in the Gator Bowl, 52-13.

But last season was rough for Texas A&M. They went 8-5 and lost to Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl, 24-21.

Simply put, the Aggies want a season where they are not only in the running to contend for the SEC West, but they also want to be a team worth being mentioned for a national title.

And so far, that hasn’t happened for them.

Sep 22, 2018; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban prior to the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The last season Texas A&M won more than 9 games was in 2012, the year they beat Alabama, and the first season as a part of the SEC.

A win for the Aggies on Saturday against Alabama would be more than just a win. For the Aggies, it would be a huge statement win for the season after struggling against Vanderbilt in week one.

And for Jimbo Fisher, it would lower the temperature of his seat he’s currently sitting on. It would lower the pressure he has to beat a top-ranked team, especially a team like Alabama.

A loss, well, it would be one more year the Aggies weren’t able to beat the Crimson Tide.

And honestly, it would be one more big game that Aggieland would look at Jimbo Fisher and say, “When will you be able to beat Alabama?”

Fisher spoke with ESPN a few days ago and made it clear, he knows the pressure is on him:

“You’re always still a work in progress, but at the same time, you don’t want a lot of patience. I don’t have a lot of patience. I want to get it here quick and I think it can be — you’ve just gotta fight through those final two steps.

I always say this: When you’re climbing a mountain, it’s always that 10% that is always hardest to get on top of. It really separates. A lot of people get to that point and then that’s what get’s them separated — the psychology disposition, the mental disposition, and the confidence and grit to grind through that last 10 percent and make yourself a champion. That’s hopefully what we’re getting to. We’ve just got to get there, and we’ll find out coming up.”

Simply put, Saturday’s game against Alabama will truly make or break for Fisher because it’s beyond time for him to prove himself at Texas A&M.

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Florida Gators benefit from the new 2020 SEC football schedule

All in all, it was a good day for the Gators. Not only did they avoid Alabama, but both their new matchups provide some intrigue for fans.

On Friday evening, the SEC announced updated 10-game conference-only schedules for each of its 14 teams. Teams retained the previously scheduled eight conference games, and two more opponents from the opposite division were added to complete the schedule.

All in all, it was a good day for the Gators. Not only did they avoid Alabama (their scheduled SEC West opponent in 2021 who many expected they’d be forced to play this year), but both their new matchups provide some intrigue for fans.

At home, Florida draws Arkansas and former UF quarterback Feleipe Franks, who transferred to play his final season of eligibility in Fayetteville after missing most of the 2019 season with an ankle injury. We’ll get to see current starting quarterback Kyle Trask go head to head with Franks, who he used to back up, in the Swamp.

The Razorbacks had perhaps the worst day of anyone in the conference. In addition to playing every opponent in the SEC West, UA added Georgia in addition to UF as its new interdivisional opponents, leading to what athletic director Hunter Yurachek called the “most challenging schedule in the history of college football.”

On the road, the Gators take on longtime foe Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M. Fisher, who formerly won a national title at Florida State, has yet to face Florida at his new post in College Station. In the last matchup between the Gators and Aggies in 2017, UF lost at home the season before Fisher and Gators coach Dan Mullen were hired at their respective schools.

While it certainly could have been worse for Florida, the real winners of the schedule release were teams at the top of the conference: LSU, Alabama and Georgia. The Tigers made out perhaps the best, drawing Vanderbilt and Missouri, while the Crimson Tide’s East opponents are Kentucky and Missouri.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, got even luckier with their West opponents than Florida did, drawing Arkansas in addition to Mississippi State. However, UGA was already previously scheduled to take on both Auburn and Alabama, and those games are still on, as of now.

After Arkansas, the SEC’s biggest loser on Friday has to be Missouri. Like Arkansas’ Sam Pittman, Mizzou coach Eliah Drinkwitz will have to navigate an incredibly difficult Year 1 conference schedule, having added LSU and Alabama to their SEC slate. Though the Tigers’ postseason ban is lifted heading into 2020, getting there will be difficult for Drinkwitz.

Dates and times for these matchups are currently unclear and could be announced at a later time to allow for more flexibility in scheduling as the situation regarding COVID-19 remains dynamic.

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College Football News ranks SEC head coaches: Where’s Kirby Smart?

College Football News ranked the top SEC head coaches. Where is Georgia football’s Kirby Smart?

Pete Fiutak of College Football News recently released a list ranking the SEC head coaches heading into the 2020 season.

Checking in at No. 3 on the list is Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who trails only Nick Saban (1) and Ed Orgeron (2).

At No. 4 is Dan Mullen and at No. 5 is Gus Malzahn.

As much as I’d love for Smart to be in that No. 2 spot, I do not disagree with Fiutak here.

Smart’s time will come, and within the next five years he may very well occupy that No. 1 spot.

For now, he’s sitting at No. 3 on Fiutak’s list, likely right on the verge of taking over that No. 2 ranking. As long as he keeps winning the SEC East, beating rivals and putting his team in striking distance for the College Football Playoff…he’ll be considered a top-five coach in America.

Orgeron or Smart at No. 2 was likely a somewhat difficult decision. Fiutak went with Coach O since he accomplished something Kirby hasn’t yet, a national championship.

I’ve heard it all – “Anyone could win with that roster.”

Sure, Smart probably would have won it with that roster LSU had last year. But, at the end of the day, he didn’t have that roster. No other way around it.

Also, how can you not love Coach O?

As for Saban, there’s no arguing that one.

WATCH: High school student does impeccable impressions of SEC coaches

This might be the best Gus Malzahn impression I have ever seen.

I’m certain that most of us have our own impressions of Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and his sideline antics, but this might be the best one I have seen yet.

Jaxon Padlo, a student at Jemison High School in Alabama, posted his impressions of the Tigers coach along with Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Will Muschamp, Dan Mullen and Jimbo Fisher to the memorable tune of the SEC on CBS theme.

We give him credit: the Malzahn one is spot on!

Jay Graham receives six-month recruiting penalty

Jay Graham receives six-month recruiting penalty.

KNOXVILLE – The NCAA announced Thursday that Texas A&M violated recruiting and countable athletically related activity rules between January 2018 and February 2019, according to an agreement released by the Division I Committee on Infractions.

Aggies’ head coach Jimbo Fisher also violated NCAA responsibility rules.

Jimbo Fisher
Photo by Dan Harralson

Newly-hired Tennessee running backs coach Jay Graham, who then worked for Fisher at Texas A&M, was also named as a violator. He has received a six-month show-cause penalty that goes through Dec. 31. Graham will not be able to take part in off-campus recruiting activities.

“During the process of hiring Coach Jay Graham, we were made aware of the circumstances at his previous institution, and we vetted it thoroughly in accordance with NCAA and SEC bylaws,” Tennessee athletics said in a statement. “We established and maintain extremely high confidence in Coach Graham’s commitment to compliance and are proud to have him on our staff.”

Jay Graham
Photo by Dan Harralson