The Bright Side: 10 reasons A&M can win 10 games in Fisher's first year

The sun is out on a bright College Station day in late January.

You’re welcome. That’s right, give me credit for the clear skies. That’s because today I am here pumping sunshine. Of course, that’s the TexAgs message board term for the overly optimistic.

And on a reasonably warm January day optimism flows like the Brazos after a thunderstorm. Therefore, I’m here to deliver 10 reasons Texas A&M can win 10 football games in the 2018 season.

Yes, that includes a bowl game, which some may view as copping out. But after last year’s 7-6 finish, wouldn’t a 10-3 record in coach Jimbo Fisher’s first year be cause for celebration?

Keep in mind this isn’t necessarily a prediction. So, don’t jet off to Vegas and bet the farm on the over because — you thought — Liucci’s hired hand wrote that 10 wins were imminent.

Even if I had the disposable income Fisher’s salary would provide, I might not take the over if Vegas set the Aggies' win total at 7.5. Or maybe I would.

After all, in 2012 I did write that the Aggies would post eight wins and was unmercifully ridiculed. Perhaps, that’s when I learned the term "sunshine pumper."

Well, we’re cranking out sunshine in massive doses today. So put on the Ray-Bans, rub in some sunscreen and consider these 10 reasons the Aggies could win 10 games next season.

Andrew Kilzer, TexAgs

Tackle Carson Green was one of three true freshman to get extensive playing time along the offensive line for Texas A&M in 2017.

Three freshmen on the offensive line: The Aggie offensive line was mediocre at best last year.

But three true freshmen in the unit, tackles Carson Green and Dan Moore and guard Jared Hocker, got the majority of snaps in the Belk Bowl loss. A&M gained 614 yards of total offense in that game. True, it was against Wake Forest, but you’ve got to start somewhere.

Those freshmen figure to be better as sophomores. There is an old cliche’ that says players make the most improvement between the first and second years. We’ll see. Center Erik McCoy is already proven, and there are a bunch of candidates to fill another guard spot. Nobody is saying the offensive line will resemble the A&M gold standard of 2012, but there are many reasons to expect the line will be much improved.

No freshman quarterback: A year ago the Aggies played half their games with a true freshman starting at quarterback and the other half with a redshirt freshman starter. Although some teams have won with freshman quarterbacks, it’s better to have experience at that position. Nick Starkel passed for more than 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns against six interceptions in his abbreviated debut season. He figures to be better as a sophomore. So does Kellen Mond, who some seem to have forgotten had some stellar moments as a true freshman.

Sixteen returning starters: Last season A&M posted seven victories with a starting lineup that included 10 players who were freshmen and sophomores. However, that list does not include linemen Green, Moore and Hocker, who played but were not considered full-time starters. A&M will actually be one of the more experienced teams in the SEC West. The Aggies will return their leading passer, rusher, second-leading receiver, all five offensive linemen, their leader in sacks and their leader in tackles. By the way, kicker Daniel LaCamera is also back.

Jimbo Fisher’s presence: Fisher is a better game day coach than his predecessor. If his national championship and 83-23 record don’t prove that then A&M’s fourth quarter meltdown against UCLA last season does.

Brandon Jones, TexAgs

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher has shown his ability to develop top-flight quarterbacks throughout his career.

Fisher’s track record of developing quarterbacks: As a head coach Fisher developed three quarterbacks that became first-round NFL draft choices. Detractors mistakenly attribute his success to a couple of seasons with Jameis Winston, who was a redshirt freshman when Florida State won the national title in 2013. However, Fisher’s teams also posted at least 10 wins with Christian Ponder, E.J. Manuel, Everett Golson and redshirt freshman Deondre Francois at quarterback. Manuel, Winston and Francois all passed for more than 3,000 yards in at least one season. Look for Starkel or Mond — or both — to make significant improvement.

An explosive running back: Whether it be Chris Thompson, Devonta Freeman or Dalvin Cook, Fisher’s Florida State teams typically had an explosive, big-play running back. He has that at A&M with Trayveon Williams, who had a sophomore slump and still rushed for 798 yards. As a freshman, Williams rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had 27 runs that covered at least 10 yards. Look for him to be even more productive in a pro-style scheme that figures to be more physical.

Fisher’s November success: A&M’s Achilles' heel has been November collapses. That may no longer be a problem. Fisher was 27-5 in November at Florida State. His teams tended to improve as the season progressed. Even during Florida State’s injury-plagued 7-6 disappointment last season the Seminoles were 3-1 in November.

The Jerry Schmidt influence: Speaking of November success, with Schmidt as Oklahoma’s Strength & Conditioning Coordinator the Sooners were 60-12 in November. Stamina and toughness have never been an issue on teams with which he’s been involved.

Mike Elko’s presence: Admittedly, the feeling here was John Chavis would solve A&M’s defensive problems. Obviously, it didn’t work out that way. Critics say Chavis’ defense excels only when he has as good or better talent than he’s facing. He typically had better talent than his opposition when he was at Tennessee and LSU. On the other hand, Elko has done amazing things with less-than-stellar talent at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. In one season under Elko, Notre Dame allowed an average of one less touchdown per game than it did the previous year. In three seasons at Wake Forest, Elko’s defenses ranked 40th, 38th and 41st in the nation in total defense despite annually playing productive offensive teams like Clemson, Florida State, Louisville and Syracuse.

An improved secondary: The hard truth is that A&M’s secondary was atrocious in 2017. The Aggies allowed more than 200 passing yards in eight of 13 games. Expect A&M to be much better next season. The safety position should be in good shape with Donovan Wilson returning from injury and freshman Derrick Tucker looking like an emerging star. Also, Clifford Chattman, who was ineligible last season, is thought by many to be far and away the Aggies' best cornerback. He figures to provide an immediate upgrade on one side. Myles Jones and Debione Renfro played extensively as true freshmen with predictable, up-and-down results. They figure to be better as sophomores. If not, Charles Oliver is a solid option on the right. Perhaps another freshman will be able to step in and help, too.

Add into that LSU, Auburn and perhaps Mississippi State – with quarterback Nick Fitzgerald coming back – figure to be weaker next season.

There’s another reason A&M could post 10 wins in 2018. And I only promised 10.