Optimism for Elko era demonstrated by Texas A&M football’s initial AP poll ranking

Texas A&M football ranked no. 20 in preseason AP poll; Why this ranking shows faith in Elko’s ability to take Aggies to next level

As Texas A&M football fans remember from the end of the 2020 season, one spot in the rankings can make all the difference. I mentioned in my column yesterday evening that I thought the pollsters would keep Texas A&M football outside of the top 20 in the AP rankings, given the inertia of recent history.

However, it looks like I was wrong. Where I had predicted the Ags to land at 21 or 22, they have come in at the 20th spot overall. This may not seem like a huge difference—and, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not—but I think this is significant in one key way.

Under Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies had a penchant for underachievement. They even landed on ESPN’s list of top underachievers in the sport, despite (by the numbers) outperforming expectations during the stretch that was measured.

Sometimes, when it comes to the media, narratives can take much longer to die than they should. This leads to accolades being awarded far too late, at times—just look at the NBA MVP.

For that reason, I thought all the baggage of the Jimbo era would still drag down the Aggies in the rankings. I thought the “all sizzle, no steak” reputation that the Ags had garnered under the previous regime would still stick.

Instead, I think the media are looking at this team differently—with a shade of optimism. The benefit of the doubt may once again be extended to the Maroon and White, if only shakily so. I don’t doubt that those across the country will be all too hasty to renege on such good faith if the Ags disappoint early on, but it’s looking like Elko and the Aggies are actually getting some rope here.

Whether they can deliver is an entirely different question. Longtime readers know I’m bullish on Elko and this staff he has put together, but the time for projections and predictions is almost over. Games will be played before you know it. The Aggies will be putting this top-25 spot on the line against the top-7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. We’ll see then just what this Aggie team is made of.