Texas A&M Aggies Plan To Leave For LSU Following Thanksgiving
Texas A&M heads into its season finale on a nine-game road losing streak. Since that span, five SEC coaches have been shown the door, including A&M's own Jimbo Fisher.
The Aggies look to change that outcome Saturday when they face No. 15 LSU. And maybe that starts with a change in preparation.
Interim coach Elijah Robinson said A&M would leave for Baton Rouge Friday following walkthroughs, thus allowing players and coaches to spend time with their families through the holiday season. Fisher, who was fired prior to the end of the sixth season, was adamant about leaving on Thursdays for road games.
Robinson, who led the Aggies (7-4, 4-3 SEC) to a convincing 38-10 win over Abilene Christian Saturday, said the decision to leave Friday wasn't a jab at Fisher or previous coaching choices. Players would often spend Fridays handling schoolwork away from College Station.
With class ending on Tuesday this week, Robinson said players could catch up with work on Wednesday before the holidays.
"I don’t think there’s a need for us to travel on Thursday this week," Robinson said Monday at the Aggies' weekly presser. "That allows our guys to spend time with their families on Thanksgiving. Allows coaches to spend time with their families on Thanksgiving."
Senior receiver Ainias Smith didn't criticize old travel plans but mentioned how players would sometimes arrive at their hotel until 1 a.m. Though he didn't say things were wrong with the late check-in, Smith said he preferred to leave on Fridays.
"[You] have everybody go to school, come back for meetings and then let’s hit it and get ready," said Smith.
The Aggies could end their season on a three-game win streak after dropping three of four midseason. With a victory in Tigers Stadium against an LSU roster looking to a second 10-win season, A&M would actually end the year tied for third alongside the Tigers (8-3, 5-2) in the SEC West standings.
The Aggies must contain Heisman Trophy front-runner Jayden Daniels if they stand a chance of securing the win. Daniels, who last season was held to 273 total yards of offense in A&M's 38-23 upset at Kyle Field, might be college football's top player despite having three losses attached to his name.
Texas A&M Aggies interim coach Elijah Robinson
USA Today
Daniels leads the nation in passing touchdowns (36) and ranks third in yards (3,577). He's also just the second player in SEC history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, joining former A&M star and Heisman winner Johnny Manziel (2012).
"He's grown so much since last year. He's not up for the Heisman for no reason," Robinson said of Daniels. "He's talented, he's smart, he makes great decisions. He protects the football. So he's a challenge."
The Tigers boast the top offense in the country, both in total yards (562.2) and points per game (46.8). A&M's defense remains its backbone, holding opponents to roughly 19 points per contest.
While the offense has seen a resounding spark under third-string quarterback Jaylen Henderson, A&M must score if it hopes to win. Smith, who's one game away from tying Christian Kirk for the most consecutive games with a reception in program history, likely will be the top weapon early to set up scoring drives.
And Saturday's performance might not be his last game in an Aggie uniform. Smith still has one year of eligibility after playing just four games in 2022. He said he'll mull over his options after Saturday.
As for the bowl game, Smith is still undecided if he'll suit up regardless of his draft status.
"I’m still thinking about it. I feel like in that situation it’s hard to judge," said Smith. "I’m so team-oriented and I definitely want to go out and play in a bowl game.
“The last time I played in a bowl game was 2020 in the Orange Bowl. That was so lit. I definitely would love to play in another bowl game. I’ll make that decision when it’s time to make that decision.”
Kickoff from Baton Rouge is scheduled for 11 a.m.
