Opponent Preview: Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M at a Glance

Location: College Station, Texas

2018 Record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)

Series Record: Texas A&M leads 3-2 (A&M won in 1950, 1953, and 1954. UGA won in 1980 and 2009)

Last Meeting Against UGA: Georgia won 44-20 in the Independence Bowl

Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (92-27 overall, 9-4 at Texas A&M)

Home Stadium: Kyle Field (Home of the 12^th Man… except for Seattle. Yes I know A&M licensed it to Seattle, but that’s besides the point.) – Capacity: 102,733

Notable Alumni: Rip Torn, Neal Boortz, Rick Perry, a few country music singers, PC Principal from South Park

Last Season: The Aggies most notably gave Clemson their biggest challenge (looking at you, Bama) in 2018, narrowly falling to the Tigers 28-26 after a comeback attempt at Kyle Field fell short. Texas A&M did pull off two great overtime wins, one being the win over Kentucky 20-14 at home in one overtime. The other overtime victory you may remember a bit better: the 74-72 7OT win over the LSU Tigers in one of the best games of 2018.

To cap off a successful first season at the helm, head coach Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies pummeled NC State 52-13 in the Gator Bowl to end the season on a four game win streak and provide a good springboard for the 2019 season.

The Aggies had seven players drafted in the NFL draft, with center Erik McCoy going in the second round to the New Orleans Saints and tight end Jace Sternberger being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round.

2019 Aggie Preview

Texas A&M will be eager to improve off a very good 2018 season in their second season with head coach Jimbo Fisher. The AP Poll voters agree, having put the Aggies at #12 to start the season. However, their schedule may be the toughest in the nation. A&M must play each of the top three teams in the AP Poll in 2019, with only Alabama making the trek to Kyle Field.

This tough schedule presents both a monumental challenge but also an incredible opportunity for the Aggies to both support their playoff claim as well as gain national exposure. The Aggies will be led by junior quarterback Kellen Mond, who threw for 3107 yards last season with 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Recently, ESPN named Mond as the most important player in the College Football Playoff race.

Texas A&M will look to replace a lot of production on offense that they received from All-SEC tight end Jace Sternberger and running back Trayveon Williams. Wide receivers Kendrick Rogers and Quartney Davis will be relied to both take a step forward be big playmaker through the air in 2019. Sophomore running back Jashaun Corbin looks to be the main man to take over on the ground from Williams.

On defense, A&M returns some serious talent on a unit that finished #47 in the nation. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike will look to build off his 5.5 sacks from 2018, while safety Leon O’Neal Jr. will look to build off of a standout performance in the Gator Bowl.

On special teams, A&M returns sophomore kicker Seth Small, who as a freshman connected on 20 of 28 field goals, with a long of 52, as well as every extra point.

Texas A&M will be one of the most intriguing teams in 2019. They have the talent to be one of the ten best teams in the country, and with a second-year boost from Jimbo Fisher, could make a run at the College Football Playoff. However, their schedule could hold them back and relegate them to another four-loss season.

Prediction: Georgia 38 Texas A&M 24

Something We Can All Agree On: Texas ain’t back.