Aggies aim to validate ranking, reverse losing streak in Centennial State

On multiple occasions, Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher has promised the Aggies’ fortunes “ain’t like it used to be.”

Hopefully, that includes trips to Colorado.

The Aggies (1-0) venture to Denver on Saturday, aiming to further validate their No. 5 national ranking, post their 10th consecutive victory and end a history of frustration against the Colorado Buffaloes (1-0).

A&M is 3-6 in the all-time series with Colorado. They’re 1-4 in Boulder and have lost their last three trips to the Centennial State. Most recently, they blew a big lead and fell 35-34 in 2009.

This time, the setting isn’t Boulder. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. CT at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, an hour from Boulder.

That’s too close for comfort for the Aggies, who did not play particularly well despite throttling Kent State, 41-10, last week.

Reversing the Colorado trend might be as simple as establishing — or re-establishing — an identity of dominance at the line of scrimmage.

“It (identity) better show up quick,” Fisher said. “You’re going to a very good Colorado team that’s coached very well with guys who know how to break down your protections, your runs, your defenses. I mean, these guys are very intelligent, and they’ve got a very good team. They know what they’re doing.

“You go on the road in a hostile environment. You’re going to find out really quick.”

The Aggies’ daze-and-amaze running back duo of Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, who both exceeded 100 rushing yards against Kent State, provides a mountainous challenge to the Colorado defense.

Last season, the Buffaloes' defense allowed 763 rushing yards and five touchdowns in their final three games. Texas rushed for 303 yards and two touchdowns against them in the Alamo Bowl.

The Buffs limited FCS opponent Northern Colorado to 20 rushing yards in a 35-7 victory last week, but A&M’s running game is a much different animal.

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Achane ran for 124 yards and two scores on 12 carries vs. Kent State last Saturday.

The Aggies have better backs, a bigger and more talented offensive line, faster receivers and redshirt freshman quarterback Haynes King, who demonstrated great promise in the win over Kent State.

Colorado figures to rely heavily on its running game, too.

Running back Jarek Broussard rushed for 895 yards in six games last season. He followed that up with a solid 94-yard output on 15 carries last week.

Meanwhile, A&M’s typically stingy run defense struggled. Kent State rushed for 226 yards, which was more than any A&M opponent managed in 2020.

“We have a higher standard,” junior safety Demani Richardson said. “Those things will get cleaned up, for sure.

“I feel like some of our communication (was off). We have some younger linebackers, and the (Kyle Field) noise messed with them a little bit. When everybody gets on the same page, we’ll be good.”

Good enough to solidify the top-five ranking, extend the winning streak and finally leave Colorado unscathed.