It was about this same time last year that things went sideways for Texas A&M. After starting the season 3-1, the Aggies plunged right off the cliff, dropping 6 straight games, including road losses to Mississippi State, South Carolina and Auburn. They limped to the finish line with consecutive Kyle Field victories over UMass and LSU to somewhat salvage a 5-7 season.

The Aggies have suffered losing streaks in every season under Jimbo Fisher. Fortunately, until last year, those skids lasted just 2 games. And that’s where the Aggies find themselves in 2023, a 2-game losing streak heading into Saturday. They’ll need to turn back a reeling South Carolina team at Kyle Field or face the real possibility of yet another late season collapse.

With road games at Ole Miss and LSU still left on the schedule, a loss at home on Saturday would be devastating.

The Aggies, sitting at 4-3 (2-2 in SEC play), are coming off a bye week that afforded an opportunity to heal some bumps and bruises to key players. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, the team’s leading tackler, could return to the lineup along with DLs Walter Nolen and Albert Regis, as well as S Bryce Anderson.

They’ll need all the help they can get against a 2-5 (1-4 in SEC play) South Carolina team in the throes of a 3-game losing streak themselves and fighting for bowl eligibility. A loss would put their backs against the wall and force the Gamecocks to win their remaining 4 games, all at home, against Jacksonville State, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Clemson, to qualify.

It’s nearing desperation time for the Aggies as well. But we’re not giving up hope, at least where bowl eligibility is concerned. We still believe the Aggies will win on Saturday and finish 7-5, and that gets them to the postseason. Home games against Mississippi State and Abilene Christian are certainly winnable.

But a slip up on Saturday would put extreme pressure on this team to avoid a 3rd consecutive season without a bowl. That hasn’t happened since those lean years of 1968-74.

We think the Aggies will pull through and make an appearance at the Texas Bowl (vs. Oklahoma State) this season. And we’re not the only ones. ESPN projects the Aggies to play in either the Texas Bowl (vs. Kansas) or the Gator Bowl (vs. Duke).

But it has to start with a victory on Saturday. Otherwise, the Aggies start to feel the pressure of last year’s 6-game albatross weighing heavy on their collective shoulders.

There’s really no excuse for the Aggies not to come out on top Saturday. And that, in and of itself, adds pressure. A 2-touichdown favorite, the Aggies should be able to exploit a South Carolina defense that ranks last in the SEC, allowing 446.7 yards per game.

The Gamecocks rank 13th in the league in scoring defense, yielding 31.7 points per game. Among SEC teams, only Vanderbilt (34.4) gives up more. In addition, South Carolina ranks 13th in the conference in scoring offense. The Gamecocks are putting up 26.6 points per game. Only Arkansas (26.5) averages fewer points among SEC teams.

If there was ever a “get right” game, this one is it. The Aggies cannot afford to blow this opportunity. To do so would risk a potential winning record and seriously damage their postseason bid.

The Aggies should win on Saturday, break their losing streak, and then need just 1 more victory in their final 4 games to become bowl eligible. If they don’t beat South Carolina, oh boy, Fisher’s seat will be hotter than a South Texas August afternoon.