The Texas A&M Aggies are kicking off the Jimbo Fisher era in grand style. After a 2-1 start, and a two-point conversion away from taking the Clemson Tigers to overtime, morale couldn't be higher for the direction this program is heading.
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While 2018 is setting up to be a transitional season for the SEC powerhouse, a team from 20 years ago will be making its comeback when the Aggies honor them in an October game against the Kentucky Wildcats.
The 1998 Texas A&M Aggies began their highly-anticipated season ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll. That team faced some of college football's greatest players, and greatest teams, on their way to an 11-3 record, including the Big 12 Championship.
Coached by R.C. Slocum and led by "Weapon X" Dante Hall at running back and College Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dat Nguyen, the Aggies had one of the most memorable seasons in program history. Plus, having a future nine-time All-Pro NFL punter in Shane Lechler never hurts, too.
On October 6, the Aggies will honor that historic team with these classic, mesh-style Adidas jerseys when they take on the Wildcats.
The 1998 season started with Texas A&M opening up with a loss to future Heisman-winning quarterback Chris Weinke and the second-ranked Florida State Seminoles.
Then, the Aggies got hot and rambled off 10 straight wins, three of which came against Top 25 teams. Their biggest game came on October 10 in College Station, when they knocked off another future Heisman-winning quarterback, Eric Crouch, and the second-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, 28-21.
In their final regular season game on the road, the Aggies fell to 1998 Heisman Trophy winning running back Ricky Williams and the Texas Longhorns, 26-24, on a last-second field goal. It was the same game in which Williams broke Tony Dorsett's NCAA record for career rushing yards.
The next week, Texas A&M played their third No. 2 ranked team of the season, and they beat the Kansas State Wildcats to win the Big 12 title — it remains the last time the program has won a conference championship.
JUST IN: Texas A&M to wear 1998 Throwbacks on Oct. 6 versus Kentucky to honor 20th anniversary of Big 12 championship team. Old mesh look, but with today’s Primeknit materials. pic.twitter.com/yf1WmQF60e
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 17, 2018
The Aggies ultimately lost the 1998 Sugar Bowl to quarterback Joe Germaine, defensive back Antoine Winfield and the Ohio State Buckeyes, who finished with an 11-1 record and the No. 2 ranking in the AP Poll.
The 1998 season is one of the most difficult seasons in program history. It was filled with all-time great NCAA opponents, top-ranked teams and it started with a loss.
Regardless, the Aggies powered through and put up one of the best seasons in program history.
It'll be an awesome sight when the team is honored in October, and the Aggies come out in these dope uniforms at Kyle Field.
