No. 6 Aggies refusing to 'overlook' the visiting Bearkats on Saturday

Typically, a top ten college football team can expect an easy victory when opening against an FCS opponent.

However, No. 6 Texas A&M opens on Saturday against an atypical FCS team.

The Aggies kickoff against Sam Houston on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kyle Field.

Sam Houston has won 20 of its last 21 games, including an FCS national championship in 2020.

“These guys (Sam Houston) are used to winning and playing,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “It doesn’t matter to me if they play in FBS or FCS. Those guys are really good players, expect to win, know how to prepare and know how to compete.”

The Ags have heard Fisher loud and clear.

“They’re a great team. That’s all I can say,” A&M junior guard Layden Robinson said. "There is no disrespect to them at all. Every team we play, there it’s not going to be any disrespect to them at all.

“I know they’re going to come here and look at it as an opportunity to start their season off well. Our job is not to let that happen.”

The Bearkats visit Kyle Field equipped with a truckload of transfers, including quarterback Jordan Yates from Georgia Tech, running back Dezmon Jackson from Oklahoma State and safety B.J. Foster from Texas.

They also have veteran stars Markell Jerry, a pass-rushing force with 16.5 career sacks and 38.5 tackles for loss, and receiver Ife Adeyi, who caught the winning touchdown pass in the 2020 national title game.

Of course, as its lofty ranking implies, Texas A&M is loaded, too.

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SHSU WR Ife Adeyi totaled 742 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

The Aggies project to have an explosive offense built around running back Devon Achane, receivers Ainias Smith and Evan Stewart, an improved offensive line and quarterback Haynes King, who is back from an injury that sidelined him for almost the entire 2021 campaign.

Also, All-American defensive back Antonio Johnson, fourth-year starting safety Demani Richardson and defensive tackles McKinnley Jackson and Isaiah Raikes head a group of returnees from a unit that was ranked third in the nation in scoring defense a year ago.

That’s why A&M has been installed as a 29.5 favorite.

Still, Fisher warned against betting on an easy win.

“You better play a heck of a game,” Fisher said. “You’re playing a very good football team. We’ve got to be ready to play that way.”