UL Monroe Gives Aggies, Jimbo Fisher Chance to Reset

Losing in Week 2 to Miami was certainly a blow for Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies, but with a “next game up” mindset and a non-conference opponent heading to Kyle Field Saturday, Texas A&M’s Week 3 matchup will serve as a much-needed reset.

With 48,000 Miami fans — some of which may have benefitted from the buy one, get one promo — in attendance at Hard Rock stadium, the Texas A&M Aggies dropped the ball. 

Not literally — Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman threw for two touchdowns and 336 yards on a near 60 percent completion rate — but figuratively. In a year where Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher’s squad was supposed to turn things around from last season’s 5-7 finish, losing Game 2 was not a great start. 

In fact, it was the opposite of what the Aggies needed. 

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Weigman wasn’t the issue for the Aggies against the Hurricanes. Neither were the receivers, or even the running backs. Not individually, at least. 

As a whole, Texas A&M fell short, though if you asked Fisher, he’d pinpoint one area of his team’s game that likely caused the unwelcome outcome.

“Our guys played hard, but have to tackle players in space,” he said following the Aggies’ 33-48 road loss. “We’ve got to get back and leverage points. We’ve got to get pressure. We have to affect the quarterback a little.”

So, defensive issues made Texas A&M’s game far more difficult, which makes sense. If the Aggies had locked down on defense the way they did against New Mexico, it would’ve been a much different outcome. 

Then again, a similar defensive performance against a two different offenses with vastly different results is telling.

But that’s where UL Monroe comes in. 

In Week 3, the Aggies will return home to face another non-conference opponent in the Warhawks, and will look to regain lost momentum from their loss to Miami. 

If all goes according to plan, the matchup should be a one-sided affair. Texas A&M is expected to cruise to its second win of the season, and anything less than that will be reason for concern. 

Against Miami, Weigman found his targets. Not at the same rate as he did against the Lobos, but he did find the end one a handful of times. And Fisher recognized that.

“15 played his heart out,” he said. “[He] gave us a chance to win. We made plays in all three phases, but gave up plays.”

But despite Weigman performing well again, losing the game hurt not only his confidence but that of the whole team. Fisher can preach a “next game up” mindset all he wants, but chances are, that’s a struggle for some players.

That’s why returning home to face an “easier” opponent will help. Not only will Weigman get a chance to flourish in the backfield again, but the Aggies can use the game to feel more comfortable in their offense. Fisher can take more time to work with his defense. Even Petrino can work on his play calling to put Texas A&M in a position to start a winning streak. 

Obviously, if Week 3 goes awry for the Aggies, we’ll have a whole other story to tell — likely one that once again questions Fisher’s methods and whether or not the Aggies can avoid missing a bowl game for the second straight season.

But that hasn’t happened yet. And if Texas A&M does what it’s supposed to do Saturday, it won’t. UL Monroe is a chance for the Aggies to reset and build momentum once again, especially before facing Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee in four straight weeks. 

Saturday will be telling, but for the Aggies, that’s a good thing, especially if they can come away with a much-needed win. They just need to go out and execute.