As I sit here watching the latest ONE Championship highlights, particularly the excitement building around ONE 171 in Qatar, I can't help but draw parallels to what Texas A&M football is attempting this season. The Filipino fans are reportedly "in for a treat" with the event's headline matchups, and similarly, Aggie supporters are wondering if their team can deliver that same level of championship-caliber excitement. Having followed college football for over two decades, I've seen programs rise and fall, but Texas A&M's situation fascinates me because they're not just rebuilding—they're trying to reclaim something that feels almost mythical at this point.

Let's be honest, when we talk about Texas A&M's championship legacy, we're primarily referring to that magical 1939 national title. That's 85 years ago, for those counting. In modern times, they've had flashes of brilliance—the 1998 Big 12 championship comes to mind—but nothing that satisfies the hunger of a fanbase that remembers the days of dominance. Last season's 8-4 record was respectable, sure, but in the brutal SEC West, respectable doesn't cut it. What intrigues me this year is how the pieces are coming together. The Aggies signed what many considered the top recruiting class in 2022, and those players are now juniors with significant experience. I've watched Conner Weigman develop at quarterback, and if he can stay healthy—which he couldn't last season, playing only 4 games—this offense could surprise people.

The comparison to ONE Championship's approach isn't accidental. When I analyze successful organizations, whether in sports or entertainment, they all share this understanding that you need both established stars and emerging talent. ONE 171 is banking on its headline fighters to deliver, just as Texas A&M needs its veteran leaders like defensive lineman Shemar Stewart to anchor that side of the ball. But here's where I might differ from some analysts: I don't think it's solely about talent. The Aggies have had talented rosters before. What's different this time is the schedule. Look, they avoid both Georgia and Alabama during the regular season—that's huge. Their toughest games—Notre Dame, Florida, LSU—are all at home. In my experience covering college football, schedule breaks like this don't come around often, and championship teams capitalize on them.

Defensively, I'm optimistic. Coordinator Jay Bateman has had a full year to implement his system, and the numbers back this up—last season, they held opponents to under 21 points per game. If they can improve their third-down defense (they allowed conversions on 38.2% of attempts last year, which placed them in the middle of the SEC), this unit could be special. Offensively, there are questions. The offensive line needs to gel quickly, and the receiving corps, while talented, lacks proven production beyond Evan Stewart. I've seen too many seasons derailed by offensive inconsistency in College Station.

What really makes me believe this could be a special season, though, is the intangible factor. There's a different energy around this program. Head coach Jimbo Fisher seems more focused, less defensive in media appearances. The players carry themselves with a quiet confidence that I haven't seen in recent years. They know the expectations, and unlike previous seasons where those expectations seemed to weigh them down, this group appears to embrace them. I remember speaking with a former player who said championship teams have a certain "buzz" in practice—a competitive intensity that becomes self-sustaining. From what I've observed in their spring game and fall camp reports, that buzz is there.

The path won't be easy. The SEC is a gauntlet, and Texas A&M must prove they can win the close games that slipped away last season—those heartbreaking losses to Alabama and Miami come to mind. But if they can stay relatively healthy and get consistent quarterback play, I genuinely believe they can challenge for the SEC West title. Not many analysts are picking them to surpass Alabama or LSU, but I've always favored the underdog narrative when the pieces fit. The championship legacy isn't just about history—it's about current players believing they can create their own. As ONE 171 demonstrates with its carefully crafted matchups, sometimes the most satisfying victories come when the pieces align at the right moment. For Texas A&M football, this season feels like one of those potential alignment moments. The opportunity is there. The question is whether they'll seize it in a way we haven't seen in decades.