Texas A&M has high expectations heading into the upcoming season, but will the Aggies be able to live up to the hype or will it be another classic case of underachievement?
Texas A&M surged back into the national spotlight this past year off the efforts of a spectacular season from the latest batch of Aggies.
Head coach Mike Elko took the perennial underachievers to the top of the SEC and the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history after an 11-1 regular season in only his second year in command.
While the gas ran out late in the year with back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami to close out the campaign, the statement made by A&M has all eyes on College Station heading into the upcoming season.
The preseason polls have yet to roll out, but the Aggies will almost assuredly be ranked within the top 25 and even have the chance to start inside the top 10.
Quarterback Marcel Reed returns for Texas A&M and will get the chance to connect with one of his top targets in wideout Mario Craver. Outside of the headliners, the Aggies brought back several returners and hit the transfer portal hard to replenish the roster.
To say Texas A&M and its faithful fanbase are ready for football season would be an understatement.
But how many times has this been the storyline for the Aggies in the offseason?
Time and time again in recent memory it has been Texas A&M dominating the talent market and getting attention to the program with hopes that this could finally be the year that the Aggies breakthrough, only for most to end in bitter disappointment.
Although last season was already a break in the perpetual mediocrity, there has been another case of success recently that could set a dangerous precedent.
Elko's predecessor, Jimbo Fisher came in with so much hype that he was even given a blank national championship plaque upon arrival. Needless to say, Fisher never got the chance to fill it out.
Despite the tumultuous times, Texas A&M did have one memorable season under Fisher. That came in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, which saw the Aggies post a 8-1 record and make a serious push toward the CFP before settling for a win in the Orange Bowl.
With the groundwork set, many felt that the team could turn a corner heading back into a more traditional season. After being ranked No. 6 to start the year, Texas A&M fell flat on their face in an eventual 8-4 outing.
Those were also Fisher's second and third years as head coach.
Luckily for A&M, Elko looks much more complete and focused on building the Aggies into a cohesive until instead of piling on four and five-star talent just to say they have it like Fisher.
Nonetheless, Elko and company have their work cut out for them this season. While last year might have been the return to form, this season is the pivotal one that has the power to prove that the Aggies are here to stay.
