COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 10, 2020 - Running back Isaiah Spiller #28 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the game between the Florida Gators and the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. Photo By Craig Bisacre

Texas A&M

2020 Results: 9-1

2021 Projection: 11-1

A load of returning talent, a much nicer non-conference schedule and Alabama having to play at Texas A&M this season has Aggie fans chomping at the bit for the 2021 season.

Head coach Jimbo Fisher has worked his magic and gotten the Aggies to the doorstep of college football greatness and some people think this might be the year where A&M manages to not only knock on the door, but maybe kick it down.

Starting on the offensive side where the Aggies return a slew of talent but must find a new quarterback and replace four of their five offensive linemen. Whether Haynes King, Zach Calzada or someone else ends up taking over as signal caller, that quarterback will boast about a depth of talent at wide receiver and running back to help. However, the new quarterback will also be standing behind a brand-new offensive line including two new tackles.

: COLUMBIA, SC – NOVEMBER 07, 2020 – Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Texas A&M Aggies at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC. Photo By Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics

: COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 – Defensive lineman Jayden Peevy #92 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. Photo By Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics

Defensively, the Aggies return nine starters and a ton of depth from a unit that was solid in 2020. The line and the secondary are almost intact, but the Aggies will have to replace their leading tackler from last year. If they can manage that, the defense can possibly step up and help if the offense has some early struggles.

The schedule shapes up quite well for the Aggies, as they don’t face top-notch, out of conference talent instead drawing Kent State, Colorado and New Mexico to start the season. They also get the bulk of their daunting SEC West games later in the year, facing Auburn, Ole Miss and LSU all in November.

The key date looms on Oct. 9 when Alabama comes to town. That game could see both Alabama and Texas A&M undefeated and both ranked in the top 10 and possibly the top five depending on how the early season plays out.

As most people note, Texas A&M appears to be on the verge of great things. For the Aggies to zoom past the verge, they have to be able to beat Alabama. A loss to Alabama doesn’t eliminate A&M from playoff contention, but it means they have no room for error throughout the remainder of the season.