For Texas A&M, it's win or bust from here on out
COLLEGE STATION - Who else has heard this story before? A team with high expectations struggles out the gate, fails to live up to the hype and settles for a low blow bowl game. No one is happy, and more questions arise than answers.
Texas A&M has been on that never-ending carousel spin since entering the Southeastern Conference in 2012. Seven years later, it looked like the ride would be coming to an end. With an established offense and new head coach, Jimbo Fisher was supposed to be the answer.
As Week 5 arrives on College Station's doorstep, Aggie fans are singing to the same tune. That repetitive 8-4 hymn that drives boosters mad, wondering what lies in the problem.
When A&M hired Kevin Sumlin, he looked to be the long-term answer to the contending conundrum. With the likes of a Heisman caliber quarterback, the Aggies would shock the SEC with a win over then No.1 Alabama inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Two months later, Johnny Manziel would be facing Oklahoma in the now New Year's Six Cotton Bowl. Alabama would be hoisting their 15th National Championship trophy in the coming days.
Slowly, the Sumlin surprise wore down on boosters, facing the team to make a tough call. A late comeback by UCLA likely signed the warrant, but the now Arizona coach was on thin ice following the debacle of the Kyler Murray/Kyle Allen transfer.
Paying a cool $75 million to entice Jimbo Fisher away from a winnable ACC conference, A&M hoped to be considered contenders once more. Two years into the 10-year era, Fisher has suffered six losses in 17 appearances, three more than Sumlin did at the time.
Now questions could arise what the problem is at Kyle Field and if A&M will ever jump to the next tier of the SEC rankings.
"We have to play better and that all starts with me," Fisher said following Saturday's loss to Auburn. "It all starts with me as a coach to coach them better, put them in a better position to do those things. That's the responsibility. It's on me. I'll get them right."
In past season, it'd be easy to put blame on poor coach. A loss to defending national champs Clemson is justifiable. One to a struggling Auburn offense raises concerns. But a pair of top-10 defeats to Tigers on the prowl isn't the end of the world or a season.
The schedule won't do the Aggies any favors. For the first time since 1975, a team will face the AP's top 3 preseason rosters. It gets tougher with the addition of No.4 LSU now in the mix and the fact they'll travel to the dangerous Tiger Stadium in late November.
A&M's season formula has been straightforward in year's past; lose early, beat a ranked opponent midseason and bring hope long-term with a win over a rival. And while Fisher can tell his players how to change their approach, the committee will decide A&M's fate in one swoop.
Win and you're in; a loss and you're tossed.
It starts with getting back to the basics. Adding a balanced offensive game plan would help too. When A&M rushes for over 100 yards, they win. When relying on Kellen Mond to lead the team through the air, it becomes a problem.
"It's really important to stay together here," Said wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon. "This is a time where we have to really come together and just stay as a family. And, honestly, we don't have to do anything special. It's just fundamentals."
A slow start leads to punts, which leads to opponents scoring, which could lead to losses. Starting a game on the right foot plays in the Aggies favor. Drive down the field, put up points, wash, rinse, repeat. It's a simple recipe to victory.
Limited errors would help the team thrive. In two games, A&M receivers have dropped a combined 14 passes from Mond. But Mond connecting early also should be addressed. In two games the junior had a chance to hit his target for massive gains into opposing team's territories on the team's first drive.
He overshot his target both times, leading to punts.
"The thing about the mistakes is they're all very correctable and the things we do and how we do it," Fisher said Monday.
The blessing for A&M is the conference they play in. Florida is without Felepie Franks while Georgia struggled late against Notre Dame. The Bulldogs will face Auburn later this year, and LSU could upset Alabama. The Iron Bowl will also give a loss to someone from the Yellowhammer State.
But for A&M to claim the SEC West title, they must begin a winning streak; one that won't end until December. A loss to Auburn does not defy the season, but one more likely does.
In the juggernaut known as the SEC, the Aggies were dealt a tight hand. It's all part of the draw. Now, they must bluff their way into forcing each opponent to fold their cards, giving them a clear path to Atlanta.
It's win or go home for Texas A&M. It starts in Arlington Saturday morning. One more loss sends the Aggies back to the bowl game that's likely background noise around the house.
But a win keeps them alive for another week. And that's how Fisher should continue to prepare; week by week.
