Texas A&M Coach Jimbo Fisher Confident in Aggies' Growth: 'They're Finding Those Inches'
One week ago, Texas A&M Aggies sophomore defensive back Bryce Anderson revealed the Aggies' "stepping stone" mindset to reporters.
The Aggies had just finished taking care of Auburn at home and were riding a 1-0 SEC record, largely due to Texas A&M's strong defensive showing. But beating Auburn wasn't Jimbo Fisher's squad's focus.
"Auburn is not the main goal," Anderson said. "The main goal is to run through the SEC and win a national championship. [This is] just a step along the way."
One week later, Texas A&M took another step towards their main goal, knocking off Arkansas in Arlington to match its conference win total from last season after just two games. But, just like last week, the Aggies are no longer focused on that.
Next up for them is facing an Alabama Crimson Tide squad experiencing a down year, and they are seemingly confident in themselves.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
"I like this football team," Jimbo Fisher said. "It's got a lot of improvement to do. It's got a lot of growth to do, but I love its personality. I love its demeanor. I love its competitiveness and toughness. We're getting better."
Week 2, when the Aggies lost an offense-heavy against Miami 33-48, to now, Fisher's squad has certainly improved. In the three games following its loss to Miami, the defense has allowed 35 points combined — less than Miami's single game total.
A stat like that is evidence enough of improvement, but considering the Aggies have now faced two SEC West rivals, it's even more of a sign. The Aggies can compete with anyone on their schedule, and Fisher knows it.
"We can do it against everybody," he said. "That's what we got to do. I keep seeing this team grow. ... It's allowing itself to be coached and pushed, and as we see it from the practice field to even in the timeouts and the breaks, they're finding ways to make plays. They're finding those inches."
Sound familiar? For Aggie fans who decided to hop back on the annual hype train that typically boards after the final recruitment rankings, it should. Fisher's No. 1 criticism of last season's team was simply put, and included that latter-most word.
"Last season, we just didn’t find the inches," Fisher said at Texas A&M's SEC media day over the summer. "There were five games where we came up one play short. We didn’t find the inches in critical moments. We have to do a better job of getting our players to do it. I believe we will. I like our team going forward.”
So, the Aggies have improved, both within this season and overall. Last Saturday's game only further proved that, and this Saturday's game will do so as well. Finding inches against Alabama — regardless of if the Crimson Tide are up to form or not — will be crucial.
A win would put the Aggies in first place in the SEC West, and one step closer to their end goal. Whether or not they get there is up to them, but Fisher is confident. And he should be. The Aggies aren't going away this season — not yet, at least.
