For Texas A&M, there's always next season
COLLEGE STATION -Jimbo Fisher was ready to move on. He knew it; his players knew it; everyone knew it was coming.
Following an incredible career at Florida State where he brought home three ACC championships, a Heisman Trophy winner and a national title, the welcome wagon was dry. Florida State was struggling, and patience was wearing thin in Tallahassee.
That could be the same case in College Station as Fisher enters the middle of his second season. The Aggies couldn't wait to move on from Kevin Sumlin following another 7-5 year despite excellent recruiting. Paying Fisher a $75 million contract throughout 10 seasons, Texas A&M fans believed they found their future of the program.
Six games into 2019 and the Aggies are posting similar results. A 3-3 record following a promising recruiting class now will likely have fans wondering what went wrong. On Saturday, nothing did.
Alabama was simply better.
"They're a very good football team. They played a very good game," Fisher said following Saturday's 47-28 loss. "They took advantage of all three phases of the game, and that's why they're number one. I mean, offense, defense, and special teams, they did the things they had to do and took advantage of some situations in critical moments in the game."
In 2000, Fisher truly began to learn the game of football under the direction of Nick Saban. Three years later, Fisher would help the LSU Tigers offense thrive on their way to a national championship. Two years after that, Saban and Fisher would part ways; one to the NFL, the other to a new program.
All-time, Saban is now 18-0 over former assistants. It helps to be the master that taught the tricks, but an offensive juggernaut likely adds fuel to the fire. The Crimson Tide offense in 2019 has exploded on opposing defenses under the direction of Tua Tagovailoa. The current Heisman favorite threw for four touchdowns, racking his total count up to 28 on before the midseason mark.
Fisher and his staff flashed potential on offense, specifically from Kellen Mond. The junior had been under heat from the Aggie faithful, believing he was no longer the answer at quarterback.
On Saturday, he stifled the critics, throwing for 264 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Mond would lead the team on the ground with 99 yards and a touchdown to add to his resume. But whatever Mond did, Tua had a response.
When Mond scored on at the goal line, Tagovailoa scored through the air. Mond would connect with his tight end, and Tua would deliver to his running back. Even the best game plans still could struggle against a worthy adversary.
"We're 3‑3, and we're going to find out how we play," Fisher said. "Hopefully, we have learned from that and get down the stretch here and play good football. We've had opportunities in those games. It felt like both games, that we could play with those teams if we play with enough consistency.
"That's what we've got to find and learn to play the second half of this season now."
Texas A&M's playoff chances have come to an end. Two early losses to top-10 Tiger teams stung and the Crimson Tide trampled the cushioning blow. For even a chance to make a trip to Atlanta, the domino effect would have to swing the Aggies way.
Auburn loses to Georgia, who falls to A&M, who beats LSU, who defeated Alabama and so on...
Fisher was given a near-impossible task before the season began. Defeat five top 25 programs while trying to remain balanced on offense. Without the likes of Trayveon Williams in the backfield, it would take a miracle for A&M to finish the season a perfect 13-0.
"We just got to learn to get over that hump, and we got to push through it," Fisher said. "And against good people, you can't almost get there. You've got to be all the way, executing on 100% of every play. Each ‑‑ one little bit."
The man from West Virginia was hired for the long haul, not the present. Winning cultures take time to build. Even Alabama struggled under Saban during the early years. Fast forward a baker's dozen, and he's one title away from tying Bear Bryant for most National Championships in school history.
Fisher has his base with freshmen such as Ainias Smith and Demani Richardson. The defensive back was able to intercept Tagovailoa, a first for the season, while Smith made several plays in the open field. Jalen Wydermyer has transitioned into a big red-zone target while top-ranked tight end prospect Baylor Cupp will join the club next season.
The saying is, "there's always next year." For some, it's a white flag for the season ahead. To others, it a promise things will be better.
But for Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher, it's a building block for the future. With another strong recruitment and the return of veteran talent, things could swing in favor of the Aggies. Alabama cannot be Goliath forever. Everything comes to an end.
"We just got to do a better job of executing and make sure we're all locked in at practice, and just not making the same mistakes," Mond said. "We'll look at the film, we'll make the corrections, and we'll move forward."
There's always next year for Texas A&M. And that year could finally be the one where the Aggies are contenders.
