Texas A&M 2021 Season Preview
We’ve broken down each position group heading into 2021, so now we’re looking at the total package. How will A&M do in 2021? By: The Hammer
Photo by Abbey Santoro, The Battalion
It’s finally here. I feel like a kid on the night before Christmas, eagerly awaiting kickoff with limited patience. The offseason has had plenty of storylines to keep us busy, but nothing compares to the regular season. All the debate, rankings and conversation now shifts to what happens on the field. If you read any of our position group previews (QB, OL, RB, WR/TE, DL, LB, DB) you know I am very high on this team. And maybe I’m drinking too much maroon Kool-Aid, something I have been guilty of in the past (ahem, Sumlin era), but I really think we are in for a special year in Aggieland.
Outside of all the talent returning, the schedule sets up very well for Texas A&M in 2021. Jimbo has been building and building and this team is ready to take the next step. I know the haters, of which there are many, will be quick to point out that A&M has a new quarterback and four new offensive lineman this year. That’s a legitimate concern to have. Both positions are vital to a team's success so the skepticism is not surprising.
I’m not that worried about it though. I believe in the guys Jimbo has recruited and I believe in this staff to set them up for success. As I said in the quarterback position preview, Haynes has all the tools needed to be a good QB in this league. Beyond the physical tools, King is a hard-working coach’s son. He’s been groomed for this moment. Everything you hear about this kid, whether it’s from the coaching staff or his teammates, makes me believe he is ready. Of course, there will likely be some growing pains. Maybe a little more turnovers than Kellen had last year, but that’s okay. Our defense is built to withstand some turnovers here and there. Take some shots Haynes, and let’s see what happens.
As far as the offensive line is concerned, the main factor for success will be how quickly can this group mesh. If they can all play together as a unit and remain on the same page, the talent can take over and they’ll be just fine. I don’t expect to have another Joe Moore award finalist caliber offensive line, but if they can mesh and stay relatively healthy, there is no reason this group can’t be a top half of the SEC offensive line.
If you want a more in depth look at each position group, go read our previews (links above). Now let’s talk about wins and losses. How will this team perform week in and week out?
Week 1: Texas A&M vs Kent State – WIN
I realize that Kent State has a high-powered offense, but we can keep this short and sweet. Worst case scenario, the offense takes some time to get moving and the game stays fairly close in the first half. But A&M’s defense is too good and the overall talent disparity is too wide for this to be close for four quarters. A&M will be able to run the ball and should be able to coast to a win in the home opener.
Week 2: Texas A&M at Colorado (Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO) – WIN
This is a much more favorable out of conference matchup than some we have seen in the past, like Clemson. I don’t want to bad mouth the Buffs, but A&M should have no trouble in this game either. I don’t see Colorado being able to score much at all on this defense. Maybe the altitude can keep this one closer than Aggies would like for a while but I expect A&M to win comfortably by at least two scores.
Week 3: Texas A&M vs New Mexico – WIN
No offense to our lovely neighbors from the West, New Mexico is beautiful, but the university ain’t good at football. With a few games under their belt, look for A&M to put this one out of reach early and cruise to an easy win.
Week 4: Texas A&M vs Arkansas (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, TX) – WIN
Every year.
Death. Taxes. Texas A&M beating Arkansas in Jerry World. You can set your clock to it folks. I know many of these games have been close, hard-fought battles. Credit to Arkansas for making this a tricky game each year, even when the Razorbacks were really struggling, but the Aggies have won NINE straight in this rivalry. And it's going to be ten after this year. Sam Pittman seems like a great fit, but new starting quarterback KJ Jefferson against this defense is a matchup I will take all day. Mike Elko will be ready to confuse the young signal caller. Barry Odom will try to show Haynes King some wild looks and force turnovers as well, but unless the Hogs can stop the run they won't be able to keep pace. I respect Odom as a defensive mind but am not convinced the Hogs have the personnel, outside of Jalen Catalon, to keep up with A&M. Give me the Aggies.
Week 5: Texas A&M vs Mississippi State - WIN
This game worries me slightly for two reasons. First, I respect the hell out of Mike Leach. I think he’s a great coach and will be a tricky game for every team in the SEC West. Do not discount the Pirate. Second, we play Alabama the following week. Potential look ahead game scenario where A&M isn’t 100% dialed in. So far A&M has been extremely good at beating teams they should beat under Jimbo, so although this could be a potential trap game, I think Jimbo will have the team ready. And if A&M plays well, Mississippi State does not have the horses to keep up.
Week 6: Texas A&M vs Alabama – WIN
This is it. It’s THE game. Jimbo stirred the pot this offseason when he said A&M was going to be Alabama’s ass when Saban was still there. No, I don’t see us “beating Alabama’s ass” but I’m predicting a win here. It sets up perfectly and here’s why. Alabama plays Ole Miss the week before, so should be coming off a challenging game. It’s going to be a night game at Kyle Field. Jimbo and this Aggie team are pissed at how the game went last year, and maybe more importability, the narrative that followed them for the rest of the season. The Aggies missed out on the CFP last year solely because of their loss to Alabama. These players are DYING to get another shot at the Tide. Lastly, Alabama lost a ton. I know they reload and the new guys are super talented but a step back, albeit a small one, seems inevitable. Just because you replace Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith, Najee Harris, Mac Jones, etc with another blue chip doesn’t mean the new guys will produce at a first round NFL draft pick level as those guys all did. I really believe we slay the Saban dragon in 2021.
Week 7: Texas A&M at Missouri – WIN
Similar to the Mississippi State game, this one is ripe for a let down. Coming off the Alabama game and traveling to Columbia will not be easy. Super nerd Eli Drinkwitz is a good coach and will have his team ready to play. It could easily be a sleepy 11 am kickoff, so Jimbo’s coaching will be put to the test again. Can he get his team up for a game against Missouri after the Alabama game? Regardless of if we win or lose to the Tide, the team will be exhausted mentally and physically. I sound like a broken record here but I think Jimbo and this team are bought into the one game at a time mindset and will be ready to play. I trust the defense to hold Mizzou in check and give A&M every opportunity to win.
Week 8: Texas A&M vs South Carolina – WIN
Ah, our old SEC East '“rival” the South Carolina Gamecocks. Similar story to Arkansas here except I don’t like the trajectory of USC nearly as much. A&M always beats South Carolina and that won’t change in 2021. Shane Beamer is an inexperienced head coach with a marginally talented roster. It looks like it will be a long year for the Gamecocks.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Texas A&M vs Auburn – WIN
Can Harsin find a way to exceed expectations in year one? Doubt it. Bo Nix is the issue here, and it may not be all his fault. The kid is going into his junior season and his current OC, Mike Bobo, is his 3rd in as many seasons. That’s hard for any quarterback. Plus, Nix has been so inconsistent I just don’t see him figuring it all out. Auburn always finds a way to beat A&M at Kyle Field, but that streak will be over after this game. Tank Bigsby is great, but our run defense should be one of the best in the country and Auburn’s offensive line has holes. Plus, we have a bye week leading up to this one. Should be a hard-fought game as Auburn has talent, especially on defense, but give me the Aggies.
Week 11: Texas A&M at Ole Miss – WIN
This game scares me for obvious reasons. The Lane Kiffin and Matt Corral pairing has been electric and with a full offseason of work, should be firing on all cylinders in 2021. I still give A&M the edge though because I don’t expect much out of the Rebel’s defense. Yes, they should be better than they were in 2020 but they were so bad it's going to take more than one offseason to remedy. I think the Aggies will be able to run the ball easily and control the clock, keeping Corral and his weapons on the sidelines. Ole Miss can beat anyone in the West on their best day this year, but I like our chances. This Texas A&M team is built to win games against high powered offenses because we run the ball extremely well, control the pace of play and have the best defense in the SEC. Aggies keep rolling.
Week 12: Texas A&M vs Prairie View – WIN
Prairie View can match up with the Fightin’ Texas Aggie band, which very few schools can do, but unfortunately their football team cannot. This will be an easy dub for A&M and a much needed breather after the grind of an SEC West schedule.
Week 13: Texas A&M vs LSU – LOSS
I hate picking against A&M in this spot, especially against LSU, but this will be a really hard game to win. Death Valley for a freshman quarterback is like nothing he will have seen. Even though Haynes King will have 11 games under his belt by this point, the Bayou Bengals bring a different kind of atmosphere. Both of these teams should be really good too, so I think we are looking at a night game. And those fans hate Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher. Derrick Stingley and Eli Ricks have the ability to lock down receivers and most of the front seven for LSU returns. While it’s hard to say A&M will go 11-0 and then drop the final regular season game, I don’t see A&M running the table and to me this is the most likely loss, assuming we can pull it out against Bama.
Regular Season Record: 11-1
Well, what do y’all think? If my 11-1 prediction comes through, I think A&M wins the SEC West and plays Georgia for the SEC Championship. To me, that game would be a coin flip. We match up well with Georgia. To keep myself sane, I’m going to say we lose to the Bulldogs in Atlanta and go play in another New Year's Six bowl game. I’m dying to pick the Aggies to win and go to the CFP but it just seems like Georgia is due. I know that doesn’t really mean anything, but I just have a feeling in my gut.
Regardless, an 11-win regular season would be a huge step for Texas A&M. Hell, even a 10-2 campaign would be very, very good. It’s easy to look ahead and see National Championships in the future but it’s good to remain level headed as well. Rome wasn't built in a day. No one competes every year like Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State right now. Winning double digits on the back of what we did in 2020, will go a long way toward building up A&M’s confidence, reputation, etc. It will bring us a lot closer. So my prediction is 11-1 regular season and an appearance in the SEC Championship game. Whatever happens after that is gravy.
Like Jimbo said, it ain’t going to be like it used to.
#BTHO2021
