Texas A&M Football: 3 attainable statistical goals for Aggies in 2022

The Texas A&M football team has come close but ultimately fallen short of its long-term goals under Jimbo Fisher thus far

The Texas A&M football team finished with four losses last season despite skipping their bowl game due to COVID-19. In reality, this team could have easily lost five games for the second time in Jimbo Fisher’s tenure with the Aggies. Still, A&M felt like a dangerous team — after all, they did beat Alabama, who would eventually play in the national championship.

But another four or five-loss season won’t be good enough in College Station anymore. With the type of talent that Fisher has brought in, a national championship will be the goal each and every year.

But is that an attainable goal? To get there, A&M will have to reach a few other landmarks that will help them along the way. Here are three accolades that could help the Aggies earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

12+ wins

Among a slew of disappointing seasons, the Aggies have been extremely competitive under Jimbo Fisher. A very strong argument could be made that would place Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff during the 2020-21 season.

Unfortunately, they landed at 9-1 in a shortened year and wouldn’t reach their goal.

To make it in 2022, the Aggies will have to accumulate at least 11 wins on the year. Ideally, they’d also win a postseason game and reach 12 total wins on the season, cementing themselves as one of the best programs in the country. It’s a make-or-break year.

A 1,000-yard receiver

This is a stat that you won’t read about too frequently this offseason. The Texas A&M football team had just a single skill player over 1,000 yards. Isaiah Spiller rushed for 1,011 yards, while Devon Achane rushed for 910. In terms of receiving yards, the top two players were Jalen Wydermyer and Ainias Smith, both of whom had just over 500 yards through the air.

Having a receiver hit 1,000 yards would be huge for a team that hasn’t necessarily played modernized offense in the past couple of seasons.

Thankfully, the Aggies have a handful of players who could step into that role. The most likely candidate, at least in my eyes, would be Evan Stewart, an incoming five-star freshman who is already standing out in spring practice.

A top ten defense

I discussed a concept briefly in a short article early this week — Texas A&M will not likely finish with the third-ranked scoring defense again next season.

The Aggies lose too much talent, including four defensive linemen, to repeat that. Still, I think this unit could actually improve by the end of the season from a year ago. A majority of A&M’s legendary 2022 class is made up of defensive players, including four of the team’s seven five-star commits.

To consider next season successful, Texas A&M has to have an elite defense. The talent is there, though it may take time to settle in with so many young players.