‘You have to block out the noise…and go out and play.’ Jimbo Fisher looks ahead toward road matchup with Ole Miss
Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2 SEC) steered its season back on track with a much-needed 30-17 win over South Carolina. Next up on the docket is a road matchup against an old nemesis.
Yes, Ole Miss coach by day, and social media thorn by night Lane Kiffin stands in the Aggies’ way as Texas A&M faces the Rebels in Week 10. In addition to the Maroon and White hoping to exact revenge after falling 31-28 in last year’s matchup, Ole Miss presents the type of opponent that could make or break what A&M is selling at this point.
The Rebels are averaging 38.9 PPG (10th) and are allowing just 21.4 PPG (43rd) to their opponents heading into Week 10. If A&M can knock off that caliber of team, on the road in a hostile environment, it would very much speak to how the Aggies can close out the season on a strong note, and a successful one at that.
Those beliefs were echoed by Jimbo Fisher during his weekly press conference on Monday. The Aggies coach noted that this team had many positive takeaways from their win over the Gamecocks, but a short turnaround against a talented Ole Miss team presents and entirely new challenge.
Below is Jimbo Fisher’s full press conference ahead of facing Ole Miss, including notable takeaways from his time at the podium.
Jimbo notes the South Carolina win was much-needed, but they face a tall task this weekend
“Coming off the off week, that was good, but now we got to get better. Ole Miss is a really good football team.”
Let's be honest, Max Wright should have been given a touchdown on that play
“We went down and scored three straight drives, and we scored a touchdown that was a touchdown. If his foot is down and the ball didn’t move, isn’t that a touchdown?”
Jimbo on the infamous thorn in his side: Lane Kiffin
“Every coach has his own style in how you coach and how you play. He has been very successful with his.”
Jimbo notes that execution, again, is key to getting a win on the road
“You have to block out the noise and block out the clutter and go out and play. You have to execute in critical moments.”
The Aggies will face an ample challenge in Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
“He’s a very gifted guy with a lot of ability, and they rely a lot on his legs and his arm.”
Jimbo assessed how Ole Miss' offense can give defenses fits
“They run the football and take shots, and the quarterback can make plays with his legs. You’re playing a team that can run with the backs, run with the quarterback and throw the ball downfield. They’re very balanced.”
Fisher believes their success in short-yardage situations last week can become a normal trait
“We were very conscientious about it going in. Hopefully, we’ll continue to be good.”
Fisher took a moment to comment on the sign-stealing scandal rocking the college football landscape
“If you do it in the middle of the game and you can pick them up, more power to you. The other stuff, I’m not going to get into… If you could make a piece in the ear, and we could talk, you’d solve a lot of problems.”
Fisher praises Edgerrin Cooper, who was named co-Defensive SEC Player of the Week
“When the light comes on. Did he always have the ability to do it? Yeah. It’s maturity. It’s also your development and how you prepare for a game… There is an art to learning to study film and how you prepare. That’s what you’re seeing with him.”
As Fisher highlighted, Quinshon Judkins will be the Aggies' most capable running back they've faced all year
“He’s in the groove now. He sees the run, and he hits the cut. Both of their backs… They’re playing well.”
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