Sometimes it’s difficult to find you’re purpose.
Saturday at 11 a.m. might be one of those times.
That’s when Texas A&M (3-7), mired in a six-game losing streak, stumbles into a non-conference college football clash against Massachusetts (1-9) at Kyle Field.
The Aggies aren’t in contention to win the Southeastern Conference West division. They’re mathematically eliminated from attaining the six victories required for bowl eligibility. They can’t even acquire much redemption by beating UMass, which is widely regarded as the weakest team in major college football.
Yet, the Aggies insist they have a purpose.
“(We’re) Playing for each other and Texas A&M,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “You’ve got Texas A&M on your jersey. You play for your teammates, and you play for yourself because you’re sending a message of who you are and what you are.”
That’s likely the message Fisher has been giving the Aggies all week. Players say they’ve gotten the message.
“I feel like we’re playing for our names, for Texas A&M,” senior safety Demani Richardson said. “Just playing as competitors. That’s what we do. Anytime we go out on the field, we go out there and play hard.”
The Aggies might be most motivated to play hard for Richardson and other seniors who are hoping to complete their careers on a positive note.
Fisher warned that taking a win over UMass for granted can be dangerous. In most years, that likely would be dismissed as coach-speak.
But this year, the Aggies should heed that warning or risk the final disaster of a catastrophic campaign.
A&M certainly shouldn’t take anything for granted. Even against an opponent that is ranked 130th (out of 131) in the nation in scoring.
However, the Aggies average just 21.5 points to rank 108th. Their anemic run defense is 126th and has surrendered 951 rushing yards in the last three games. That’s more than nine teams have allowed all season.
However, UMass isn’t one of them. The Minutemen averaged just 158.3 rushing yards per game. Leading rusher Ellis Merriweather has gained just 479 yards.
Also, UMass averages just 120 passing yards. Its quarterbacks — three have made starts — have combined for just four touchdown passes and have thrown 12 interceptions.
Of course, A&M has also started three different quarterbacks.
Freshman Conner Weigman is projected to make his third career start. The last time he started at Kyle Field, he passed for 338 yards and four touchdowns in a loss to Ole Miss.
Fisher again warned not to assume he’ll duplicate that showing.
“These guys (UMass) cause you all kinds of problems,” Fisher said. “It will be extremely challenging for him because of what they do, how they blitz and their scheme.”
Weigman’s success — or lack thereof — is probably dependent on whether the Aggies’ ramshackle offensive line can provide adequate protection.
In last week’s loss to Auburn, Weigman was sacked three times and officially pressured on six other occasions. Consequently, he completed just 14-of-36 passes for 121 yards.
But UMass doesn’t have the pass rush or overall athleticism A&M faces on a weekly basis in the Southeastern Conference.
The Aggies should end the losing streak, provided they’re interested in playing.
Fisher doesn’t think that will be an issue.
When asked about what he wants to see from the Aggies, Fisher responded: “Play hard and play well. That’s exactly what I think they will do.”
