A&M's Hocker believes they'll defeat No.1 Clemson Saturday

The Aggies have their first real test Saturday. One player already is thinking they'll win.

COLLEGE STATION - Texas A&M is confident heading into Saturday's matchup against the No.1 Clemson Tigers. If you ask offensive lineman Jared Hocker, he already knows what will happen. 

The junior offensive lineman told reporters Monday that the No.12 Aggies will not only make it a game at Memorial Field, but will walk out with a victory. 

"I like being the underdog," Hocker said. "You always have something to prove so I'm looking forward to the opportunity. There will be an upset." 

A&M played the Tigers at Kyle Field last season in one of the top games of the season. Nearly pulling off the comeback, Clemson, led by then Kelly Bryant held onto win 28-26. 

It will be a new test this year as Bryant now is at Missouri and the Aggies will face Heisman front-runner Trevor Lawrence. The now sophomore did play last year, but only made nine passing attempts for 93 yards and a touchdown. 

A&M coach Jimbo Fisher believes that while confidence i s important to success, they'll have to back it up on the field. 

"You have a great respect for them, but you have to go compete," Fisher said. "Anytime you line up to play, you have to be successful...I'm glad they're confident but what Jared said doesn't need to be said...After the first two hits of the game, that stuff all goes away anyway."

Hocker, a guard, started in eight games last season for the Aggies before suffering a season-ending injury. Over the course of three seasons, he's appeared in 15 total games.

And his coach had a message for him after his comment. When asked who said that comment, Fisher replied to reporters, "Well, Jared better play well." 

A&M will face Clemson at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 7 at 2:30 p.m.