We’ve been optimistic about Aggies football since the arrival of head coach Jimbo Fisher. And with good reason. With a national championship under his belt, it was reasonable to think that Fisher could elevate the Texas A&M program to at least compete for one in Aggieland.

Five years into the experiment, and it hasn’t happened. Not even close. An unprecedented contract with a ridiculous buyout might be the only reason he is still employed in College Station. Yes, frustration has set in. Patience is running out, and the window is ever closing on Fisher and the Aggies program. It’s time to put up or shut up.

Or maybe we’re going about this all wrong. Maybe it’s time for us to tone down our expectations. Maybe it’s time we looked at the 2023 season with objectivity. Yeah, OK, let’s try that. Here are 10 bold predictions for Texas A&M and the 2023 season.

1. The Aggies will finish 7-5

That’s not really a bold prediction when you consider that over the past 10 seasons, the Aggies have won either 7 or 8 regular-season games 9 times (including 8-1 in COVID year 2020). It’s not so bold a prediction when you come to the realization that Texas A&M is a 7- to 8-win program. It is what it is. History confirms it. It’s all there in black and white.

The boldness of the prediction comes into play when expectations are for a 9- to 10-win season. Those expectations are no longer valid (if they ever truly were in any realistic sense). But hey, 7-5 sure beats 5-7.

2. The Fisher-Bobby Petrino relationship becomes lukewarm

Two big personalities, 2 big egos. If the season doesn’t go just right, this could turn into a real in-house problem. The game at Miami will be a gauge, and so will the early 4-week stretch that includes games against Hugh Freeze and Auburn, followed by Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee in order.

It’s possible the Aggies reach 4 losses at that point already, and that’s before road games at Ole Miss and LSU. If so, the 2 may not make it to the end of the season.

3. Weigman revives the passing game

During the early years of joining the SEC, Texas A&M enjoyed a healthy passing game. In the first 8 seasons in the conference, they were among the league’s top 5 each year in passing. However, beginning with the COVID 2020 season, the Aggies have had just 1 season among the top 10 passing teams in the SEC.

Conner Weigman will change all that, if Petrino is indeed allowed to run the offense. With stellar receivers Ainias Smith, Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III to throw to, not to mention outstanding tight ends Donovan Green and Max Wright, look for the Aggies to creep back up to a top 5 finish in the passing department this season.

4. Rueben Owens emerges

The 5-star RB is impressing, and with holes to fill at the position, the door is open for Owens to become the man in the Aggies’ backfield. Look for him to push Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss for carries, forcing Fisher and Petrino into a difficult decision of whether to redshirt him or unleash him on the SEC.

5. The season will go as the OL does

It just can’t seem to stay healthy as a group, and both depth and inexperience has been an issue. If it can stay healthy, this will be one of the better OLs in the conference, and a 10-win season is a possibility. But that has been a big if over the past couple of seasons. Another up-and-down year in the trenches and an 8-win season could be unattainable.

6. Run defense returns to form

Finishing last in the SEC against the run was a real head-scratcher last season. The Aggies had been among the better run defenses in the league over the past 5 seasons. There’s just too much talent in the box to be the worst against the run. As with the OL, health and depth were an issue. Stay healthy, and this talent-laden group will once again rise to become one of the top run-stoppers in the league. Improved play from LBs Edgerrin Cooper and Chris Russell Jr. can be expected.

7. Secondary is best again

Over the past 3 seasons, no secondary has been better than Texas A&M’s. Last season, the Aggies led the SEC and the nation in pass defense. Nothing changes that in 2023. Tyreek Chappell and Demani Richardson are among the best around, and North Carolina transfer Tony Grimes looks to fit in nicely.

8. Aggies tough at home

Though I’m not looking for a big season from this team, it should be tough at home this season. I’m looking at a 6-1 record at Kyle Field, with Alabama as the only blemish. Victories over New Mexico, ULM, Auburn, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Abilene Christian are certainly doable.

9. On the road is where things fall apart

At Miami is the only road win I see for the Aggies this season, and that one won’t be easy. Games in Arlington, against Arkansas, at Tennessee, at Ole Miss and at LSU will end up losses and relegate the Aggies to the bottom half of the West Division once again.

10. Fisher’s seat gets hot

After another lackluster season, Fisher’s seat becomes one of the hottest in college football leading up to the 2024 season, which could prove to be his last if things don’t turn around.