'I Love This Team!' Texas A&M Coach Jimbo Fisher 'Proud' of Aggies' Poise

Texas A&M's showing on Saturday against Auburn helped answer some questions regarding the Aggies' ability to compete with tougher opponents, and if you ask coach Jimbo Fisher, he'd tell you why that was the case.

Entering SEC play, the Texas A&M Aggies knew they had to perform in order to stay relevant in their conference and in the CFP conversation.

No, coachJimbo Fisher's squad doesn't pay any mind to its ranking or what the media says about it, but "staying relevant" is more than just making positive headlines. It's about being competitive with every team on the schedule. 

And Fisher says his team is already there.

"I've said before, I love this team," he said following the Aggies' 27-10 victory over Auburn. "This team can play with anybody on our schedule. "[Having] talent is one thing. Execution is another. Toughness is another. Competitive nature is another. We have those things, [but] then [have to] keep the poise to do it."

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Yesterday's victory over Auburn was a step in the right direction for the Aggies, who heading into the game, needed to prove themselves. Wins over UL Monroe and New Mexico is one thing, but the only Power-5 team the Aggies had played up to Saturday ended in a loss. That's now changed, and for the better when it comes to Texas A&M.

"I think we're at a place right now ... we're getting there," Fisher explained. "I think our guys are wanting to do it so much. Just take a deep breath and keep a little poise as you do things ... we've got to do a little better job of that." 

Having poise in little things can be taken several different ways. A sack on first down leading into a third-and-long situation? A missed tackle turning into 15 more yards after catch? A botched hold on an extra point leading to a kick wide-right? 

The Aggies have proven that they shouldn't be counted out when little things lead to advantages for their opponent. But what about the big things? Like losing your starting quarterback midway through the game in the most important game of the season thus far? What then? 

"That's football, man," Fisher said. "You're going to be banged. You're going to be bruised. That's how it's going to be battered. At the same time, I feel confident in the guy we have behind him." 

Fisher's mindset is indicative of what Texas A&M aspires to be: a true powerhouse program year in and year out. A team that doesn't bat an eye when a senior class moves on — on the field, at least — because of the incoming talent. 

And whether it be little things or big things, Fisher's goal is to make sure his team remains poised throughout the season — something he's already "proud" of his team for showing.

"There's going to be a lot of days in this conference," Fisher said. "That's just the way this league goes when you play good people. Very proud of the way we kept competing in the game and just keep taking the next play."