Aggies GAMEDAY: What to Expect vs. New Mexico Lobos

The Aggies host the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday at Kyle Field to kick off the new season, ready to put 2022 behind them.

The wait is over. It was a long wait and one that Aggieland was ready to put behind it. Just like the 2022 on-field campaign. Last season saw a disappointing crew post a 5-7 record, embarrassing by Aggies standards, especially after posting what many called the greatest recruiting class of all time. And a record that put coach Jimbo Fisher on the proverbial hot seat, regardless of what A&M higher-ups claim.

The Aggies need a fast, impressive start to the season, and it all starts on Saturday against the New Mexico Lobos. Unfortunately for the Lobos, they're not very good. Coming off a 2-10 record a season ago, the outlook might not be much better this year. The pressure is on coach Danny Gonzales, and the few new faces for the Lobos bring a certain level of cautious optimism. 

The Aggies are full of talent up and down the roster, led by second-year quarterback Conner Weigman. Weigman started four of the final five games of the season, throwing for 896 yards and eight touchdowns - and maybe more importantly, no interceptions. Weigman led the Aggies in a win over then-No. 5 LSU in the final game of the season.

Weigman will be targeting junior Ainias Smith, who has posted 21 starts and 1.321 receiving yards in his collegiate career. On the other side, sophomore Evan Stewart could give the Lobos fits defensively. In eight starts last year, Stewart posted 649 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

This game could get out of hand early, and if so, watch for some younger players to get playing time. But at the same time, after what happened last year, Fisher and Co. might be ready to take some lesser teams out to the woodshed for an old-fashioned butt-kicking.