Top Storylines against Texas State for Aggie fans to remember

With the first game of the season on the horizon, here are several storylines each team should know.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M is days away from the start of the 2019 season. After impressing the AP Poll with their success last year, the team comes in ranked No.11 in the nation, with a chance to gain ground quickly. 

The Aggies will face off against the Texas State Bobcats Thursday at 7:30 pm. An in-state matchup that will undoubtedly have Kyle Field packed, A&M will have the opportunity to come out fast and prove they are a threat this season.  

Some would call this an easy win for the home team. A&M coach Jimbo Fisher would tend to disagree with the majority. 

"They're coming to win that game too," Fisher said at his weekly press conference Thursday. "They have a very good team, the coaches have had success. You don't ever take anything for granted." 

With A&M hoping to set the tone for the regular season, here are the top storylines Aggie fans should remember. 

1. The Return of Spavital 

The 3-9 Bobcats needed to make a switch at the head coach position following the 2018 season. Electing to fire Everett Withers, Texas State replaced him with young West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital. 

A&M fans should remember that name far too well since he recently was in College Station. Spavital was the Aggies' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2013-2015. During his three seasons, the Aggies ranked between a top 10 offense (9th in 2013) to barely cracking the top 50 (49th in 2015). 

Spavital and the staff mutually agreed to part ways following the fiasco surrounding Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen. 

Returning to Kyle Field, Spavital will have his first chance as a head coach to earn a name for himself. Despite the struggles at A&M, the 34-year-old coach helped West Virginia finish back to back years as a top 25 offense. 

Still, the old OC knows the atmosphere in Aggieland, warning his players to be ready for the chants echoing onto the field. 

"I told them all, 'This will be the loudest stadium you guys ever play in.'" Spavital said. "There’s a reason why they call it the 12th Man and it is one of the best home-field advantages out there (and) probably one of the best stadiums in college football,"

2. An Alamo City rematch 

For those from the San Antonio area, the names Tyler Vitt and Kellen Mond probably ring a bell. In 2015, the then-junior Mond led San Antonio Reagan to a 56-35 victory over sophomore Vitt's San Antonio MacArthur.  

Four years later, the two will meet on the field once more. Mond, now entering his second season as A&M's quarterback, is considered by many to be the dark horse gunslinger in the SEC. Vitt, a sophomore, recently was named the starter over junior college transfer Gresch Jensen. 

Both players have seen action with their respective roster. Last season, Vitt played in nine games for the Bobcats, throwing for 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mond finished with 30 total touchdowns and over 3,100 passing yards on his way to a 9-4 season. 

The two signal caller brought fireworks to San Antonio in 2015. Expect them to mirror their growth inside Kyle Field on Thursday night.  

3. The Jashaun Corbin era begins 

The run game was A&M's bread and butter last season. Led by Trayveon Williams, the Aggies rusher finished third in the nation in yards with 1,760 yards and 19 total touchdowns. With Williams off to the NFL, A&M will need to find their new lead back. 

All signs point to Jashaun Corbin getting the first opportunity. Last season, Corbin finished third in rushing with 361 yards on 61 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per snap. As a freshman, he was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team as a return man on special teams.

Looking like the clear-cut favorite to take over the production in the backfield, Corbin carve out a role against the Bobcats' defense. Slightly bigger than his predecessor (Williams 5'8), the six-foot sophomore has the speed and ability to make defenders miss at the line of scrimmage. 

Expect Corbin to be a focal point in the offense, especially if the aerial attack either exceeds expectations or stalls.  

4. A new Buddy up the middle 

A&M lost both of their top-notched linebackers to the NFL Draft last season. With Otaro Alaka and Tyrel Dodson hoping to make their mark at the next level, the underclassmen will need to step up in their place. 

Buddy Johnson likely will be the first to replace both Alaka and Dodson's production entering his junior season. As a sophomore, the Dallas native appeared in 12 games and recorded 27 total tackles, five for losses and recovered a fumble. Predominately a rotational backer, Johnson now will have a chance to become the leader of the Aggies defense. 

Said defensive coordinator Mike Elko: "Buddy Johnson has been one of the kids in our defense to make the biggest jump, in every aspect of his life, The way he’s going about his business, how he’s preparing, how he’s taking care of his body."

With the Aggies defense losing six members of their front seven, anyone can step up and become a factor against the run. Johnson's success in fall camp should be an indicator he's ready to take the next leap as a lead man up the middle.