The words “overcoming” and “adversity” are among the most used in the vocabulary of coach speak.
Coaches often preach that the ability to overcome adversity is a required trait for championship-caliber football teams.
In its 41-40 come-from-behind victory over Notre Dame, Texas A&M showed an ability to overcome adversity.
Now, the ninth-ranked Aggies (3-0) must show the ability to overcome prosperity.
Over the last decade, A&M has frequently used a stunning victory as a springboard to vault into the top 10 of the national polls. Just as frequently, the Aggies have been ejected from them.
Last season, they leaped to No. 10 after a stunning win over No. 8 LSU. But losses to South Carolina, Auburn, Texas and USC followed.
A&M had similar face plants in 2022, 2021, 2016 and 2015.
So, the task is obvious. Moving forward, the Aggies must prove they didn’t just have a great night in South Bend, but indeed have a great team.
The burden of proof begins on Saturday at Kyle Field in A&M’s Southeastern Conference opener against Auburn.
Coach Mike Elko has acknowledged that the Aggies were not mature enough last year to handle the pressure of the top 10.
Whether they’re better equipped for the spotlight remains to be seen.
“I certainly hope so,” Elko said on Monday. “That would be better than what happened last year.”
Coaches may sometimes get a sense or a feel for a team’s mindset. Elko admitted he’s gotten an encouraging “feel” for the Aggies’ mindset, but feelings don’t matter at kickoff.
“It’s a hard thing to feel,” Elko said. “You want to feel work ethic and continued growth mindset. I think we felt that. I think you want to feel that the kids are hungry for success. I think we felt that.
“At the end of the day, they’re going to have to run out of the tunnel on Saturday and make plays in an SEC game against a really quality team.”
They must overcome Auburn and the adversity of A&M history.
- In 2022, the Aggies opened the season ranked No. 6 but lost to Appalachian State in the second game.
- They were No. 7 in 2021 before consecutive losses to Arkansas and Ole Miss.
- In 2016, boosted by a double overtime victory over Tennessee, the Aggies were No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff poll. They immediately lost to Mississippi State. Losses to Ole Miss, LSU and Oklahoma State followed.
A&M climbed to No. 9 in 2015. Then suffered consecutive losses to Alabama and Ole Miss.
Victories over South Carolina and Arkansas propelled A&M to No. 6 in 2014. The Aggies lost their next three vs. Mississippi State, Alabama and Ole Miss.
However, in 2020, A&M climbed to No. 8 after consecutive victories over No. 4 Florida and Arkansas. The Aggies posted five more consecutive victories to finish No. 4 in the final polls.
Beating Auburn could give the Aggies a 2020 re-vision.
"How we handle that remains to be determined,” Elko said. “The reality is we’re going to have to go out there and do it, and we’re going to have to do it against one of the teams that beat us last year, so obviously they’re very capable of getting the job done against us.”
That’s just more adversity to overcome.
Heisman watch (If my ballot was due today)
1. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M, QB: The Aggies were idle last week, so Reed had to wait to follow up on his outstanding showing in a 41-40 victory over Notre Dame. Reed passed for 360 yards and threw a fourth-down game-winning touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining. He has passed for 869 yards and nine touchdowns with one interception. Reed has also rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown. He’s fourth in the nation in total offense.
2. John Mateer, Oklahoma, QB: He’s second in the nation in total offense. Mateer has passed for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions. He has rushed for 190 yards and five touchdowns. Last week, he led Oklahoma to a 24-17 victory over Auburn. He passed for 271 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 29 yards and a game-winning touchdown. However, he will miss the next few weeks after having surgery on his hand.
3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, QB: Last week, the transfer from Cal completed 21 of 23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns in a 63-10 blowout on then-No. 9 Illinois. Overall, he has passed for 975 yards and 14 touchdowns with no interceptions for the unbeaten Hoosiers. He has also rushed for 76 yards and two scores.
4. Haynes King, Georgia Tech, QB: Another typical showing in a 45-24 victory over Temple. King passed for 161 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 15 yards and another score. King has passed for 515 yards and two touchdowns. He has also rushed for 274 yards and five touchdowns.
5. Carson Beck, Miami, QB: Although No. 2 Miami remained unbeaten, Beck had a rather pedestrian performance against a good Florida defense. Beck passed for just 160 yards and had an interception. Still, he has thrown for 972 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also rushed for a touchdown.
Predicted playoff participants (Alphabetical order)
Florida State: The Seminoles are obviously good, have a win over Alabama and an advantageous remaining schedule.
Georgia: A big victory over Tennessee is in the books. If they beat Alabama on Saturday, the Bulldogs will be set barring an unlikely collapse.
Indiana: Gotta give the unbeaten Hoosiers respect for a 63-10 beatdown of Illinois. A 10-win season seems likely, even with Oregon and Penn State looming.
LSU: We find out if the defense is really that good when they face Ole Miss this weekend.
Memphis: Knocking off Arkansas makes the Tigers the favorite to get the Group of Five spot.
Miami: The Hurricanes already have an impressive resume. This weekend’s game vs. Florida State might be all that stands between them and an undefeated regular season.
Notre Dame: Losses to Miami and Texas A&M won’t hurt the resume too much as long as the Irish win out. A soft remaining schedule makes that entirely possible.
Ohio State: Top-ranked Buckeyes have not allowed a rushing touchdown.
Oregon: Ducks score a lot, but they have also played some of the worst defenses in the country.
Penn State: Unbeaten Nits haven’t been impressive, but they also haven't been pushed yet. That changes vs. Oregon this week.
Texas A&M: Aggies have exceeded 40 points in all three victories, but the defense must improve.
Texas Tech: Red Raiders look like the class of the Big 12.
Games to watch
No. 17 Alabama at No. 5 Georgia: Tide desperately needs an impressive win. Beating the Dawgs would qualify.
No. 4 LSU at No. 13 Ole Miss: Last two meetings have come down to the final play. This one could, too.
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State: Neither has beaten a high-quality opponent. The winner proves it is for real. The loser still has questions.
Auburn at No. 9 Texas A&M: Tigers hope to bounce back after loss to Oklahoma. A&M hopes to continue its success after a win over Notre Dame.
No. 15 Tennessee at Mississippi State: Vols rate among nation’s highest-scoring teams, but the Bulldogs are playing sneaky good defense...and weird things can happen in Starkville.
