On the Precipice: Is Texas A&M primed for a huge sports year?

Thirsting for victory and glory?

Then relax. Copious quantities of Kool-Aid are to be poured here. You know, the maroon-colored flavor that oklacityag75 frequently advertises.

So, grab a big cup. In fact, just get a jug. Get a Yeti cooler — because you’re going to need to keep this Kool-Aid cold all year long.

Sure, some measure of that maroon flavor is always served up this time of year. Unfortunately, sometimes with disappointing quality that ultimately has left a bad taste in the mouths of Aggies.

Not this time, though. This Kool-Aid is going to be as sweet as 1975-76 and 2010-11.

Surely, you remember those years. In the 1975-76 athletic year, A&M’s football team was 10-2, the basketball team won the Southwest Conference and the baseball team advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals.

In 2010-11 the football team was 9-4, the basketball team made the NCAA Tournament, the baseball team reached the College World Series, the men’s track team won the outdoor track national championship and the Gary Blair’s women’s basketball team won the national championship.

This, too, will be a vintage year for Texas A&M athletics.

The football team will contend in the SEC West. The men’s basketball team will reach the NCAA Tournament. The women’s basketball team will make a run at the Final Four. The baseball team will reach Omaha. Pat Henry’s track & field teams will do what Pat Henry’s track & field teams do and challenge for national championships. G Guerrieri’s third-ranked soccer team, which faces No. 5 Florida State on Friday, will make a strong bid to return to the College Cup.

You want to drink it up.

You want to guzzle it.

You want to fill up your bathtub and splash around in it.

But too often the sweet Kool-Aid turns out to be a bitter hemlock. Therefore, you are more inclined to take tentative sips.

Don’t be reluctant. Chug the Kool-Aid like you would — or did — a beer-filled Dixie Chicken pitcher. Release your inner Steve Sarkisian — imbibe with gusto and then speak out about how much every other football team in the conference sucks.

You can do that. Here’s why:

• Last year’s football team finished a respectable 8-5 while at times starting as many as eight freshmen in a rebuilding year. Expect A&M to post at least two more wins. The offense projects to be among the nation’s most explosive with QB Kyle Allen and receivers Speedy Noil, Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones in their second seasons of big-time college football. Also, the defense figures to be significantly improved with new defensive coordinator John Chavis guiding a more experienced group headed by All-SEC defensive end Myles Garrett.

ESPN’s Desmond Howard and Fox Sports national college football writer Stewart Mandel even picked the Aggies to win the SEC.

• Coach Billy Kennedy’s basketball team was on its way to the NCAA Tournament until All-SEC guard Danuel House suffered a foot injury late in the season. House is back. So is All-SEC forward Jalen Jones. In fact, A&M is the only team with two All-SEC selections returning this season. Versatile guard Alex Caruso also returns for his senior season. That veteran production and leadership will mesh with a freshman recruiting class that was ranked among the best in the country.

Bigs Tyler Davis and Elijah Thomas will provide an inside presence A&M has sorely lacked. Guards D.J. Hogg, Admon Gilder and Anthony Collins will provide much-needed depth. ESPN writer Eamonn Brennan even wrote: “A&M is the most likely candidate (to be a sleeper team).” ESPN listed A&M 25th in its offseason rankings.

• Rob Childress’ baseball team projects to be better than last year’s team that posted 50 wins, reached the NCAA Super Regionals and came heart-breakingly close to the College World Series. But don’t take my word for it.

Take the word of D1baseball.com national writer Kendall Rogers, who said: “Next year they’re probably a preseason top-eight team when you look at pitching coming back, offensive guys coming back with Nick Banks leading the way. I think they have a chance to be better than last year. This team will have more pitching depth. I think they will be pretty good next year and have a foundation for two and three years as well.”

• Blair’s women’s basketball team is a fixture in the NCAA Tournament, but expect at least a Sweet Sixteen appearance this season. As TexAgs’ own Ronnie Woodard pointed out: The players from the 2012 recruiting class that ranked second in the nation are now seniors. That includes All-SEC selections Courtney Williams, Courtney Walker and Jordan Jones. Also, sophomore C Khaalia Hillman, who had a good close to her freshman season, will give Blair a stronger inside game.

Expect those teams, as well as soccer, track and some others, to have very successful seasons. But, you ask, will they really be good enough to contend for or win championships?

Let me answer by quoting the Kool-Aid guy.

“Oh yeah.”