Jimbo Fisher analyzes combination of Isaiah Spiller, Devon Achane

Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher knows he is blessed with Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane. Spiller the bruiser and Achane the speedster, the two complement each other exceptionally well in the Aggies backfield.

That was evident in Week 8 against South Carolina, when the two backs combined for 256 yards and two touchdowns. It marked the second straight week that each player had more than 100 yards rushing and at least one touchdown.

In his postgame press conference last Saturday, Fisher elaborated a bit on why Spiller and Achane work so well together.

“First of all, the guys in front of them are dad gum blocking,” he said. “They’re both very natural. They’re both very selfless. They have good eyes and they’re understanding the scheme. They’re very smart players. They understand the scheme, where the issues are and how things are gonna be presented. They’re just very natural backs.”

Spiller burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2019, leading the team with 946 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He took over a bell cow role as a sophomore in which he regularly saw 20-plus carries per game. Although he is seeing about three less touches per contest as a junior, there is a good reason.

Devon Achane also burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2020, though not until much later in the season. But once he had arrived, he was there to stay. His 76-yard go-ahead touchdown in the Orange Bowl cemented him in A&M lore, as the Aggies went on to defeat North Carolina in that game.

Achane has continued to build on that moment with an expanded role in 2021. He has seen at least nine carries in five of the Aggies’ eight games this season.

The pair works in tandem with a hard-nosed defense to keep opposing offenses off the field as long as possible. Especially in a season in which the Aggies are down to their second-string quarterback, this is incredibly valuable.

Texas A&M is enjoying a bye in Week 9 before facing No. 18 Auburn on Nov. 6 in College Station. Can Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane make it three straight games with 100 yards each?