Loss to Auburn demands A&M find ways to reconcile confidence with performance

In the wake of a demoralizing 28-20 Southeastern Conference loss to eighth-ranked Auburn, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher and players adamantly expressed a shared opinion.

“We’re not a bad football team,” Fisher reassured.

“We’re a good football team,” receiver Jhamon Ausbon said.

Safety Keldrick Carper agreed.

Their insistence could be encouraging. But it also could be disconcerting.