It’s with guarded optimism that Texas A&M players, coaches and most of all fans enter the Maroon and White spring game, which starts at 4 p.m. Saturday in Kyle Field (televised by SEC Network) and officially rings in the Jimbo Fisher era at College Station.

Not since Jackie Sherrill left Pitt after three consecutive 11-1 seasons to become the head coach at Texas A&M in 1982 has there been this much buzz around the Aggies camp. But transition can be difficult; heck Nick Saban’s first Alabama team lost to Louisiana-Monroe. At home.

So while big things are expected — Fisher signed a 10-year, $75 million contract — it is the process that will be viewed with great anticipation – and that starts on Saturday.

More specifically, here are five things to watch for in Saturday’s spring game.

1. Physicality throughout

Jimbo prides himself on having physical football teams. It was the foundation of his success at Florida State, the cornerstone of his program there, and a key reason for the Seminoles’ 2013 national championship.

Execution of new systems both offensively and defensively might result in some sloppy play on both sides of the football as implementation continues, but Aggies fans should see and here much more pop in the pads if nothing else Saturday.

2. QB play: Does anyone take the lead?

This aspect of the 2018 season is garnering the most attention, and with good reason. Like last year Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond battled for the starting job with neither proving to have an edge at this point.

“Both of them at times had their moments,” said Fisher, who is among the best in the country at coaching quarterbacks. “Both of them led drives and scored. Both of them made a couple plays that I didn’t like, you know what I mean? From the situation and where it was, we have to be smarter with the ball at times and how we are.”

Fisher obviously doesn’t have to decide Sunday morning, but it will be interesting to see whether either separates himself on Saturday.

3. Jimbo’s influence

What will be interesting to watch for Saturday is just the demeanor of the team and how it goes about its business. This isn’t Kevin Sumlin’s team anymore. There’s a new Sheriff in town, equipped with a brand new pair of cowboy boots by the way, and he’s going to want things done his way — as all coaches do.

Fisher’s influence in hustle and crispness with which the Aggies perform will be on display for the first time for all fans to witness and should be an early indication as to what kind of football team he’ll have in 2018.

4. O Line

It seemed as though the offensive line was beginning to show signs of becoming a cohesive unit in 2017. As a group it flashed moments of great effectiveness — remember, after five games, the Aggies were averaging 255 yards rushing per game before it tailed off. However, with a new system and a new style under new offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey, the learning process begins anew. There’s experience among them, notably center Erik McCoy, but how quickly they pick up the new offense will play significantly impact the upcoming season.

5. Defense

With “The Chief” John Chavis moving on to Arkansas, it is now the job of new defensive coordinator Mike Elko to whip the Aggies defense back into shape. Coming over from Notre Dame, Elko’s Fighting Irish ranked 46th nationally in total defense (Texas A&M ranked 78th under Chavis). In 2016, as defensive coordinator at Wake Forest, his group was one of only four teams in FBS to rank in the top 20 in turnovers forced (10th), sacks (12th) and scoring defense (20th). The other three teams were Alabama, Clemson and Washington — all three qualified for the College Football Playoff that season.