COLLEGE STATION, Texas _ Texas A&M stands 3-2 after a too-close-for-comfort win against Arkansas.
The running game has struggled against quality opponents. The pass rush, at least without blitzing, hasn't been bringing the pressure against opposing quarterbacks. Despite some solid numbers, fans have raised doubts about quarterback Kellen Mond.
The Aggies right now? Yep.
And also pretty much the A&M storyline a year ago after five games, which morphed into a strong second half and a 9-4 finish.
With an off week before facing No. 1 Alabama at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 12 _ the second top-ranked team that the Aggies will face this season after losing at Clemson_A&M is hoping the similarities continue.
"I hope so," coach Jimbo Fisher said. "You see parallels because the guys who have been through it and guys who have done it before and guys who understand the importance of how you have to look at this. ...
"We got to go back and do it."
There's a couple differences, including the roster makeup between the two teams.
Ten players from A&M's team last season made NFL rosters, a significant loss in both talent and experience. The Aggies have just six seniors on this season's roster and lost two key offensive players early when tailback Jashaun Corbin and tight end Baylor Cupp suffered season-ending injuries.
"It's two different teams, two different identities," safety Keldrick Carper said. "We had a lot of older guys on that team last year in the first year with a whole different staff. We were still trying to figure everything out at that point.
"This year, even though the same record and similar outcome with Arkansas ... the makeup of the team is a little bit different."
Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who is second in the SEC in tackles for loss with six, said Fisher applied a bit of a reality check after the Arkansas win, noting A&M's struggles.
Like Carper, he noted the changes year over year for A&M and noted there is no "magic pill" that players can take to turn things around.
"I just believe we're obviously a young team and a lot of guys from last year left for the draft," Madubuike said, saying that for young players things may be "a little frightening because it's big-time SEC ball. But I believe if they calm down and trust in coach and believe in themselves, they'll be just fine."
Fisher said A&M has to show greater consistency to play at a peak level and noted that great teams master the mental part of the game.
