As Texas A&M football looks to surge back national relevance in the 2023 season, they’ll have the backing of at least one notable sports outlet.
CBS Sports highlighted 10 teams that are likely to return to bowl games after missing out in 2022. Their picks are broken out into the following tiers:
- Obvious picks
- Seems likely
- If the breaks go right
- Long-shot pick
The Aggies landed in the “obvious picks” tier, which equates to teams that appear to be sure bets to reach bowl games in the 2023 season. Their faith in the Maroon and White hinges on the following rationale:
“The idea of another 5-7 season for Texas A&M is almost incomprehensible with the amount of talent in the program. The Aggies rank No. 4 in the Blue-Chip Ratio at 247Sports because of how well they have recruited under Jimbo Fisher. Even if Texas A&M loses at Miami in Week 2, the rest of the non-conference schedule is a cakewalk.
If Fisher actually lets offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino do his job, then the Aggies should easily make enough offensive strides to go bowling. To be clear: Merely going bowling isn’t enough to justify Fisher’s exorbitant salary in what will be his sixth season on the job.”
One of the reasons why A&M is equipped for success in 2023 is that, in addition to the talent on the roster, many of these players will have ample experience compared to a year ago. Yes, the Aggies had many players from that vaunted 2022 recruiting class on the field last season, but inexperience, rapport, and lack of commitment hindered their potential.
With the Aggies leading the SEC in returning production this fall, overcoming last year’s trials will give them an edge over this season’s competition. Additionally, with a returning defense that already ranked top 25 in scoring a year ago, the Maroon and White should only become more fearsome on that side of the ball with an added season of experience.
The deciding factor will be the impact Bobby Petrino has on the offense. So long as Jimbo Fisher allows him to maximize every player’s skillset, then it’s clear the Aggies will take a monumental step forward after ranking 101st in the country last year in points per game (22.8).
From Petrino’s notable track record with quarterbacks, which should aid Conner Weigman after a promising freshman campaign, to the way he’ll leverage tight ends as both threats and decoys, according to Max Wright, there is plenty to like when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.
A winning record and a bowl game appearance should be the standard for this season, but making noise in a postseason run must remain the Northstar for a promising roster in Aggieland.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.
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