HOOVER, Ala. - The Texas A&M Aggies will play at Clemson in September, host Alabama in October and travel to Georgia in November.
The Tigers, Crimson Tide and Bulldogs could rank 1-2-3 when college football's preseason polls arrive next month, giving Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher quite the task in his second season in College Station. Just don't refer to his Aggies as spoilers as they seek to build off last year's 9-4 record.
"That would be condescending. We don't want to spoil anything," Fisher said Tuesday at the Southeastern Conference media days. "Those are great teams, but we expect to play with them and compete with them and win those games. That's why we're here. We are not looking to spoil anything. We're looking to win something and go about our business and do the things we have to do.
"They are great programs, but Texas A&M can be the same way. We have to go play and prove ourselves and do the things we have to do, and I definitely think we're on that track."
Texas A&M posted three straight 8-5 seasons before going 7-6 in 2017, resulting in the end of the Kevin Sumlin coaching era and the hiring of Fisher from Florida State. Last year's Aggies lost a 28-26 thriller at Clemson and a 28-24 thriller at Auburn; otherwise 9-4 might have been 11-2.
Fisher is operating with a 10-year, $75 million contract and followed up a 52-13 dismantling of North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl with a 2020 signing class that ranked No. 4 nationally. He certainly has the Aggies trending upward but did not leave Florida State headed in the right direction.
The Seminoles won the 2013 national championship under Fisher in 2013 but went 7-6 during his 2017 swan song. Florida State opened the Willie Taggart era last season with a 5-7 record that resulted in the Seminoles missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 1981.
There have been media reports detailing how FSU's administration blames Fisher for the current predicament in Tallahassee.
"In this business you learn to have tough skin," Fisher said, "and you learn the circumstances of everything that happens and how it happens. People are going to say and write things, and you know what goes on and you move on. I have nothing but respect for my time at Florida State.
"It is a phenomenal place, as were those players and kids and everyone that was there. I had a great time. We had great success. I wish them nothing but the best. You move on with your business and move on. They'll be successful. That's a great program."
No time soon
Texas A&M last faced Texas in 2011, when the Aggies lost 27-25 in their final regular-season game as a Big 12 member. Current Longhorns coach Tom Herman has expressed an interest in renewing that rivalry, but Fisher doesn't see that happening any time soon.
"I know we're scheduled out right now for 10 years," Fisher said. "If it's something that benefits Texas A&M, we'll definitely be interested in that."
Dealing with bans
Missouri is currently facing a bowl ban for the upcoming season, which is something Ole Miss had to deal with each of the past two years.
Matt Luke's Rebels upset Mississippi State in the 2017 Egg Bowl to finish 6-6, which would have resulted in a bowl had they been eligible. Last year's Ole Miss team lost the Egg Bowl to wind up 5-7.
"I think the most important thing is just keeping everything in house and making sure your team stays together," Luke said. "They are dealing with a lot of stuff on social media and hearing all of the negativity. They get up and go to work just like everybody else and put in their time, so playing for each other and playing together is huge."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.