Texas A&M has lost its pre-season “darling” status after ranking 6th in the country before the 2022 campaign, slowly resulting in one of the worst seasons in program history, finishing 5-7, and 2-4 in the SEC while missing bowl eligibility for the first time in 14 years.
Entering head coach Jimbo Fisher’s 6th season, pressure is mounting, and while his seat is nearly on fire, his $95 million buyout has taken the form of an extinguisher that contains unlimited fills under the powers that be take control of the situation, if desperately warranted.
Going away from the negative aspects of Fishers’ challenges ahead, the Aggies are loaded at nearly every position going into 2023, and after a steady spring season filled with positive storylines aided by a litany of returning players taking the next step in their development, while members of the 2023 recruiting class are looking to make an instant impact.
However, the general media consensus regarding Texas A&M’s pre-season outlook is bleak, as the Aggies have been excluded in multiple pre-season Top 25 polls, but give credit to 247Sports post-spring rankings, who placed the Aggies at No.16. Here’s what writer Brad Crawford had to say about the Maroon and White:
“After debuting inside the preseason top 10 in last year’s way-too-early polls, Texas A&M lost the benefit of the doubt after a disappointing 2022 campaign. This 2023 season is vital for Jimbo Fisher and his future in College Station, and his new-look coaching staff should assist in turning things around. This team’s SEC West hopes could depend on the development of quarterback Conner Weigman and if he’s able to take this offense by the horns as a sophomore. The arrival of Bobby Petrino to fix the playbook may help.”
While the weight of the world may squarely stay on Fisher’s shoulders, new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s coaching future also depends on how successful A&M’s offense remains throughout the 12-game schedule, as offensive consistency is the most vital ingredient to rebounding from 2022, especially after averaging 22.8 PPG last season, bad enough for 101st in the country.
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