Paul Finebaum feels Jimbo Fisher is in a 'reasonably good position' at Texas A&M
While the Texas A&M Aggies couldn’t pull off the reaffirming upset over Alabama, they came admirably close. During an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Paul Finebaum analyzed head coach Jimbo Fisher’s standing with the program following the narrow loss.
“I really believe that Jimbo Fisher is still in a reasonably good position at A&M,” Finebaum said. “I’m two weeks removed from having spent a weekend there, so some of this may be outdated, [but] after Saturday, I didn’t feel an urgency regardless of a couple of slips along the way.
“His real problem is after Saturday, he goes to Knoxville and it’s really incumbent and urgent upon this program to get a big win somewhere.”
Following the team’s 26-20 loss to Alabama on Saturday, Texas A&M is now 4-2. Nonetheless, with a few different decisions, the Aggies could easily be undefeated. Finebaum was critical of Texas A&M’s decision-making down the stretch against Alabama.
“I just have to question some of his decision making?” Finebaum said. “There are two or three calls that are that are just screaming, a couple of decisions not to go for it… The decision to try the field goal as opposed to going for the first down, it’s going to haunt him.
“As you know, doing games every week with Greg, when you make a mistake, you either pay for it or you’re proven right, and he was proven wrong. I think that’s the haunting thing.”
Decisions that will haunt Jimbo Fisher
The field goal Finebaum referred to occurred in Texas A&M’s final drive. With 11:09 left in the game and down 24-17, Texas A&M was fourth and 15 on the Alabama 24-yard line. Instead of taking their chances, Fisher and Co. opted to play it safe and kick a field goal.
The kick was blocked. On Texas A&M’s next offensive series, the Crimson Tide forced a safety, making it a two-score game. It wasn’t the only time in the contest Fisher played it safe. With the game tied 17-17 halfway through the third quarter, the Aggies were one yard away from a first down in Alabama territory.
Once again, Fisher took the textbook approach, punting it away. After the game, the 58-year-old head coach defended his actions.
“They just had momentum in the game,” fisher said. “We missed a third and we had a third and 2. We went to it fourth and 1. If it wasn’t a full yard, inside a yard, [we] probably would have went. We didn’t get it. I said, listen, we can pin ’em back. Our punter does a great job. Unfortunately, that’s the one he kicked just a little bit long.”
Texas A&M won’t be able to play it safe this weekend. On Saturday, the Aggies will square off against No. 19 Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. ET. he game will be broadcast on CBS.