Aggies 'Best and Worst Case Scenarios' Per ESPN

A&M has appeared at No. 23 in the preseason AP poll and at No. 25 in the preseason USA Today poll, and with a roster full of talent for 2023, hopes are high for a better showing in the upcoming season.

As the Aggies prepare for what everyone in Aggieland hopes to be a bounce-back season from a year ago, there seems to already be some optimism nationally. And it's all warranted.

A&M has appeared at No. 23 in the preseason AP poll and at No. 25 in the preseason USA Today poll, and with a roster full of talent for 2023, hopes are high for a better showing in the upcoming season.

ESPN released its 2023 power rankings ahead of the college football season. The outlet gave two opposing opinions of what could happen to the Aggies long-term this season as they prepare for New Mexico on Sept. 2.

The best-case scenario given has A&M falling short of its College Football Playoff goal, but reaching a New Year's Six Bowl game.

"New Year’s Six Bowl game. Maybe Jimbo Fisher handing over the keys to the offense to Bobby Petrino really is the answer. Petrino’s shown time and time again — whether at Arkansas or Missouri State — that he can score points. And with Conner Weigman at quarterback and a talented group of receivers (Ainias Smith, Evan Stewart, and Moose Muhammad III), the pieces to succeed are in place. 

"What’s more, the early part of the schedule is favorable with games against New Mexico, Miami, Louisiana Monroe, and Auburn. Come out of that 4-0 and confident, and you get Arkansas and Alabama at home, which suddenly look like winnable games."

But then, ESPN also gave a worst-case scenario, which Aggies fans feel they've already experienced in 2022. What if the failure of last season continues into the upcoming campaign?

"A .500 season would be a disaster, but can we really rule it out after last year? There’s no reason the Aggies should have lost to Appalachian State, but they did. And for all the possibilities of Petrino calling plays, how sure are we that it will work? Fisher seems reluctant to completely step away from the offense, and you’re talking about two big personalities between him and Petrino. 

"We could see fireworks — and not the good kind — if Texas A&M starts off slow and Fisher feels the pressure of being on the hot seat. Loose at Miami, and the chatter will ramp up quickly. Lose at home to a rebuilding Auburn team, and it could become deafening."

We can't help but wonder if Aggieland could stomach another failed season under coach Fisher. We'll find out beginning on Sept. 2 as the Aggies host the New Mexico Lobos.

---

Follow Timm ’IndyCarTim’ Hamm on Twitter and Instagram

Subscribe to the Texas A&M Aggies Daily Blitz Podcast!

Hey 12th Man! Want to see the Aggies in action? Get your Texas A&M game tickets from SI Tickets here!

Follow AllAggies.com on Facebook and Twitter!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Aggies? Click Here to Subscribe to the All Aggies Newsletter

Want even more Texas A&M Aggies News? Check out the SI.com team page here