Jimbo Fisher believes Texas A&M should've played in 2020 College Football Playoff, can get over hump

If you ask Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M has done enough to get over the hump in years past. He believes the Aggies were good enough to go to the College Football Playoff back during the 2020 season. A year where Fisher saw his team only lose to Alabama, he wanted to be included in the final four.

“I thought we did in 2020,” Fisher said on getting over the hump during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I thought we had a tremendous year and I thought we should have been in the playoffs. But that is neither here nor there. We got over that year and had experience.”

Due to COVID-19, the SEC played 10 games in 2020 — all coming against conference opponents. Texas A&M wound up playing nine (and winning eight) as the Ole Miss matchup was ruled a no-contest. Just two ranked opponents were on the schedule though, losing to Alabama in Tuscaloosa and defeating Florida in College Station.

We have seen two SEC teams make the CFP before but in 2020, the ACC got two representatives. Clemson got in after winning the conference championship game, while Notre Dame wound up being the No. 4 seed despite the loss to Clemson. Texas A&M wound up No. 5 in the final rankings.

Nearly three years later, Fisher still believes the Aggies should have gotten the fourth spot.

If his wish had been granted, Notre Dame would have dropped three spots, while an idle Texas A&M moved up to No. 4 despite being idle. And then a rematch against Alabama in the Rose Bowl (played in Arlington) would have been the matchup ahead of Fisher.

Jimbo Fisher believes Texas A&M can still get over the hump

Since the 2020 season, Texas A&M has fallen short in a few aspects. Sure, there was a win against Alabama in 2021 but the year ended with an 8-4 record. Last season was a losing one and the latest blunder came on Saturday with a road loss to Miami.

Fisher still has faith Texas A&M will be able to get over the hump at some point. He says they are “close” and a good work ethic plus attitude is why the Aggies will eventually get over the finish line.

“I think we had a couple of injuries and some youth at the same time to combine that,” Fisher said. “We just have to keep the faith and confidence to do that. We have to play on the road better. We have to keep our maturity. But I do think we have a good team and I do think we will. But saying and doing it are two different things. We’ve been close but we have to keep fighting

“I think once you get there, you realize ‘I know how to do this.’ I do think we’re close. At the same time, I think you’re just as far or just as close as you want to be. I really mean that. It’s all based on your work ethic and attitude.