Texas A&M Aggies’ win over LSU could be a long-term loss to offensive changes
COLLEGE STATION — An announcement came over Kyle Field’s PA system with 14 seconds left on the clock. Normally the PA wishes the fans a safe journey home.
That was not the case. Fans had prematurely crowded the field in celebration as Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman took a knee. When the hundreds of players finally left the field, the referees knew it was best to let time run out.
Thousands passed the studded grass at Kyle Field as the clock struck zero. LSU players struggled to squeeze past A&M worshipers as the stands became a stairwell to join the party. In a sea of maroon and white, scores of Aggies rejoiced.
Some cried. Others smiled. Most were more than happy to snap a selfie or Snapchat video or Instagram live feed on the way back to the dressing room.
And right in the middle was Jimbo Fisher, perhaps college football’s most controversial name to enter the offseason. For the first time since 2008, the Aggies (5-7, 2-6 SEK) are not bowl eligible. For the first time since 2012, Texas A&M defeated three AP Top 25 opponents in the regular season.
But Saturday’s 38-23 win over the No. 5 Tigers should be seen as a blessing and a curse. On the plus side, the Aggies have proven they have the talent to go head-to-head with the big names in the sport.
On the downside, the Aggies won on Fisher’s offensive game plan, which cost A&M multiple wins and perhaps a 2022 bowl bid.
“There’s nothing wrong with what we’re doing,” Fisher said in his final regular season.
For the A&M program, change comes after College Station. It’s already in full swing. The Aggies fired offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey after five seasons, and Fisher has already begun searching for the next play-caller.
That’s partly true. Fisher will need a new offensive coordinator in terms of the title. Will he be a play caller? That depends on whether the coach gives up his offensive role in the fifth year.
Since arriving at Aggieland, Fisher has had the last word on offense. Dickey, along with co-offensive coordinator James Coley, have offered opinions on the formation, personnel groups, and final execution, but Fisher is the one issuing the order.
Saturday’s win will look great on paper, but it also gives Fisher the ammunition to ask sporting director Ross Björk that game calls aren’t the issue.
“Our kids just relaxed and played and grew up. You have matured. There have been many injuries among young people throughout the year. That’s not an excuse, but it’s the fact of life it all the time. But this game we finally put together for 60 minutes and played a really good game. It is so easy. “
To Fisher’s credit, injuries and a lack of consistency hampered offensive production earlier in the year. Three quarterbacks saw action over the 13 weeks.
Haynes King, who won the job from fall camp, struggled with consistency and was benched after throwing for under 100 yards in Week’s loss to Appalachian State. Max Johnson, a junior transfer from LSU, seemed competent in Fisher’s offensive system, but a hand injury in Week 6 put him out for the rest of the year.
Weigman, who started four of the last five games, is likely to enter spring training as QB1 and hold the title for the time being. He threw eight touchdowns against zero interceptions and finished with a 132.3 passer rating.
The Cypress native forged a smooth relationship with younger recipients who are expected to be back in 2022. Newcomer Evan Stewart led with 649 yards, 139 of which came from Weigman passes. Moose Muhammad finished with 610 yards and a team high four with touchdowns.
Scroll to Next
Noah Thomas also grabbed both touchdown receptions in a freshman-to-freshman connection. Donovan Green led all tight ends with 22 catches for 233 yards.
“[Texas A&M] is in really good hands with Conner Weigman, Evan Stewart, lots of talent everywhere,” said senior safety Demani Richardson. “So Texas A&M is definitely in good hands.”
Fisher might be right that offense was a few healthy players and consistent offensive line formations that were off track. Five of Texas A&M’s seven losses averaged 3.8 points.
The Aggies were an incomplete pass on the upset’s last game back then-No. 1 Alabama on the road for the second year in a row. If Fisher Weigman had started on the road in Columbia, there might have been a win over the Gamecocks.
But as close as A&M was to the finish line, the stats don’t lie. The Aggies ranked 82nd on passing offense (219.4 yards per game), 83rd on rushing offense (141.8 yards per game), 95th on total offense (361 .2 yards per game) and 101st in scoring offense (22.6 points per game).
All four categories were among the bottom five of the SEC programs. In terms of scoring, the Aggies twice surpassed the 30-point mark; once to open the season against FCS Sam Houston and once to close it against the SEC West champions.
Fisher said midseason that he would be willing to give up play calling if it would help Texas A&M end its losing streak. He didn’t, and the casualties kept piling up. While the young talents squared off against a potential College Football Playoff roster on Saturday night, that doesn’t change the woeful midseason losses accompanied by two conference wins.
On Fisher’s offense, the Aggies failed to surpass 28 points in weeks 2-12. In Fisher’s offense, A&M had its longest losing streak since 1972. And in Fisher’s offense, drives typically faltered and ended in punts instead of points.
The good news? Texas A&M has the talent to bounce back in 2023. Freshman running back Le’Veon Moss, along with Green, Weigman, Stewart, Thomas and others all announced their intention to return. Countless others are also expected back.
But with a win over a top-five program, Fisher could argue keeping the same improper offensive play design in motion. It worked against LSU, won’t it work against others?
Will Björk and the boosters intervene?
Will the full-season outlook force a legitimate change forever?
You can find Cole Thompson on Twitter @MrColeThompson
Subscribe to the Texas A&M Aggie’s Daily Blitz Podcast!
Hello 12th man! Want to see the Aggies in action? Receive Get your Texas A&M game tickets from SI Tickets here!
Follow AllAggies.com on Facebook and Twitter!
Want the latest news and inside information on the Aggies? Click here to subscribe to the All Aggies newsletter
Want more Texas A&M Aggies news? Check out the SI.com team page here
