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Texas A&M Football: Confidence Meter after the Alabama Loss

By Graham Harmon

Oct 7, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Max Johnson (14) attempts a pass as Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) applies defensive pressure during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Max Johnson (14) attempts a pass as Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) applies defensive pressure during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas A&M Football
Oct 7, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Max Johnson (14) attempts a pass as Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) applies defensive pressure during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Gauging Confidence in Texas A&M Football Following Week 6

It’s hard to believe that half the season is already gone for Texas A&M football. The Aggies sit at a precarious position as far as both this current season and the broader direction of the program goes, and even though we have seen them play just under half of their games this year, I think many Texas A&M football fans still have a lot of questions about this team. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the quarterback you started the season with got knocked out halfway into the fourth game, and so we really only have two-and-a-half games watching the man who will actually be helming things the rest of the way.

There are two sides of the coin here: some fans will say that the Alabama loss showed that Texas A&M football under Jimbo will never be ready for the big time. I think that’s emotion borne out of the frustration that the Aggies were so close to a big win. I need go no further than pointing to the repeated calls for Durkin to be fired after the Miami loss—and the article written saying that the man hasn’t run even a competent defense in seven years!—to show that fans can get a bit irrational after an L. At the end of the day, it was a very close loss to one of the top teams in the nation. Is there reason for concern because of the fact that the Aggies failed to capitalize on this opportunity? Sure. I’m not discounting that.

But as I wrote earlier this week, there is still so much opportunity left this season. Last week was an opportunity to take a big step forward—but a loss isn’t necessarily a big step back. A loss this week, though, would be. For now, though, I’m staying cautiously optimistic about the Aggies. I still trust this defensive front, and I think they can completely take over games and give the Maroon and White a real chance no matter what. I see a world where the run game is finding their groove and that helps Max stay within himself and play his game rather than trying to do too much. Still, though, so much rides on this weekend in Knoxville. Here’s hoping the Aggies prove me right.