Optimism has reached the highest of levels around the Aggies camp. Coming off a 9-1 season culminating with an Orange Bowl victory and a No. 4 ranking will do that to a program.

Plus, it’s the fourth season at Aggieland for head coach Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M faithful hope history repeats itself. Fisher won a national title in Year 4 at FSU. That vision is certainly in sight and well within the realm of possibility given the accomplishments of last season.

But every new season presents new obstacles, a new set of circumstances that Fisher and the Aggies must carefully navigate through in order to reach their appointed destination. Here we’ll examine 5 aspects of the 2021 season that pose the biggest threats to that elusive trophy handed out each year to the last team standing.

1. How quickly will the new QB progress?

We’re midway through camp and Fisher hasn’t tipped his hand about whether Zach Calzada or Haynes King will be the starting quarterback. My concern isn’t who the next Aggies QB will be, but how long it takes him to settle into the position. It is difficult enough to step into the role of starting quarterback in the SEC, but to do it behind an offensive line that itself must find an identity makes the job that much more difficult.

There’s little doubt that the talent is there between the two candidates but just how long will it take for Calzada or King to become a legitimate SEC quarterback behind an offensive line, still in progress, poses what appears to be the highest hurdle for the Aggies to clear if they hope to make a run at the Playoff this season.

2. How long for o-line to jell?

A new set of Maroon Goons will be taking the field in 2021. Well, almost a new set. The Aggies return All-American Kenyon Green, although he will be moving from guard to tackle, and center Luke Matthews returns from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the 2020 season.

Tennessee transfer Jahmir Johnson looks to carve out a place at a tackle spot and guards Layden Robinson and Aki Ogunbiyi should fit in nicely.

But how long before the talented group works as one? Green played tackle in high school, so he isn’t completely foreign to the position, and Matthews was a stalwart in the trenches during the 2019 season, so anchoring the line shouldn’t be a problem.

It’s just a matter of time. How long before the group jells and makes the new QB comfortable in the pocket? The Aggies have Kent State, Colorado and New Mexico to play with until the rigors of the SEC schedule begin. Hopefully, those three tune-ups give the bunch enough time to grow accustomed to one another.

3. What happens if the Aggies don’t match or exceed last year’s 9-1 record and No. 4 ranking?

If the Aggies don’t match or better their near-perfect 2020 season, does that mean they reached the ceiling and are now on a downward trend? That’s the danger they face in 2021. You certainly don’t want to start a backward trend, especially with “Little Brother” about to join the SEC fracas.

It would certainly behoove the program to pile up the victories. Not since the 2012-13 seasons have the Aggies put together back-to-back 9-plus-win seasons. And as far as conference win percentage goes, their .889 showing (8-1) is the program’s best since going 6-0-1 (.929) in the old Southwest Conference in 1994.

So, the stakes are high and there’s little room for error in improving on last year’s season. How this group handles that kind of pressure will be interesting watch throughout the 2021 campaign.

4. A couple of big shoes to fill on defense

Yes, the Aggies return 9 starters on defense, and yes that group just might improve upon what it was able to do last season.

But in order to do that, it must find a suitable replacement for its leader. Linebacker Buddy Johnson led the team in tackles. His 86 total stops dwarfed the 49 tackles recorded by runner-up and fellow senior LB Aaron Hansford, who returns for his final year of eligibility.

That’s an incredible amount of production that must be made up somewhere. Andre White, who made 8 tackles in the Orange Bowl in place of the injured Hansford, could provide some answers. But it will take a concerted team effort to pick up that kind of slack.

The other key spot to fill is the one left by Bobby Brown III, who wreaked havoc along the defensive front last season. He led the team in sacks (5.5) and was second behind Johnson in tackles for loss (8.5) with 7.5.

Perhaps McKinnley Jackson is the answer? As a freshman, he played in all 10 games last season. He was in on 13 tackles, 2.0 for loss, including 1.5 sacks.

5. With a new QB, will a talented group of WRs get enough opportunities?

As a whole, the receiving corps has as much big-play ability as any in the conference. But will they see full utilization in 2021 with Calzada/King learning the ropes?

Ainias Smith led the team in receiving yards from a running back position and will move out to receiver this season to exploit those talents as a pass-catcher. Caleb Chapman averaged a team-best 65.7 receiving yards per game, Chase Lane led the team (more than 5 receptions) as a freshman last season averaging 14.07 yards per catch, and former 5-star recruit Demond Demas is hoping to have his breakout season in 2021.

But for that to happen, Calzada or King must step forward and take the reins. It would certainly be a shame to waste that kind of talent at wide receiver.