If it seems, Aggie Nation, that we’ve been here before, it’s because we have. Texas A&M is 5-2 as it heads into the homestretch of the season. Texas A&M has held that same 5-2 record every year since 2011, with the exception of the 2016 season when the Aggies were 6-1.

Yet just once in that span, after an 11-2 season in 2012, have the Aggies finished with a final ranking above No. 18. Last year, the Aggies slumped to 7-6 and in the three previous seasons closed out with identical 8-5 marks.

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But things are about to change. The bye week came at the most opportune time for Texas A&M. Mired in years of second-half collapses, the Aggies were afforded a week to rest and recoup in preparation for that critical final push.

It’s only the first season under the new regime, but Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies have a different look and feel about them than Kevin Sumlin’s teams. Again, we’ve heard it all before, but beginning with a road trip to Starkville, Texas A&M is poised and ready to compete for a winning SEC record for the first time since 2012. They travel to Mississippi State and Auburn on back-to-back weeks before finishing out SEC play at home against Ole Miss and LSU.

What’s different? Well, to start with, the SEC’s best defense against the run for one. Texas A&M is not only stopping the run, it is stuffing it. The Aggies have held the opposition under 100 yards rushing in four games this season, including the past three consecutive opponents.

Included in that was a 70-yard rushing total given up to a Kentucky team that ranks second in the SEC in rushing, averaging 232 yards per game. The Aggies also limited South Carolina to 76 yards and Arkansas to 55 yards rushing.

Much of that nastiness can be attributed to a trio of standouts that includes DLs Kingsley Keke and Landis Durham, along with LB Otaro Alaka. Throw in underrated sophomore DL Justin Madubuike and you have a foursome that has combined for 25.5 tackles for loss this season, including 11.5 sacks.

That’s a lot of carnage and a big reason the Aggies not only lead the SEC in rush defense (82 yards average per game), but are also tops in the league in third-down conversions allowed. Opponents are converting just 23 percent of the time.

It is also a big reason the Aggies lead the SEC and are third in the nation in time of possession (36 minutes, 40 seconds). Among SEC teams, LSU is a distant second (31:59).

That stat alone gives the Aggies a fighting chance against any team in the country. The Aggies held nearly an 8-minute advantage against Clemson, for instance.

But the slow and steady improvement with QB Kellen Mond is also a factor in how the Aggies finish out the 2018 season and beyond. Fourth in the SEC in passing, averaging 257 yards per game, Mond is becoming more of a leader under Jimbo’s wing. He’s learning and continuing to execute a game plan that stresses taking care of the football, especially in the red zone, and not making unforced errors.

Yes, the Aggies have a real chance of finishing strong. It might be a bigger surprise if they 3-2 over the final 5 games than 4-1 or better. There’s a real possibility of finishing 9-3. That’s a record most Aggies fans would relish and one that appears to be good enough to put Texas A&M back in a New Year’s bowl game, something it hasn’t done since the January 2013 Cotton Bowl.

Tampa or Orlando, where would Aggie Nation most like to visit on New Year’s Day?