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Game-by-game predictions for Texas A&M's 2018 season: The Aggies finally take down LSU

(Editor's note: Originally posted May 3.)

There is reason to believe Texas A&M will take a step forward in 2018, but the Aggies' slate is also more challenging than in recent years. How much progress will A&M be able to make in Jimbo Fisher's first year as head coach?

Here's a game-by-game prediction of A&M's 2018 season:

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Aug. 30: A&M vs. Northwestern State

With this game being moved up to a Thursday, the nation will have a chance to get a fine glance at Fisher's first game in Aggieland. The question here might be which quarterback plays better given the opponent. A&M should have no trouble in this one.

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Prediction: Texas A&M 56, Northwestern State 14

Sept. 8: A&M vs. Clemson

The nonconference heavyweight comes early for the Aggies and is one Fisher is familiar with. A&M will have two extra days to prepare for Clemson as this will be the biggest nonconference game at Kyle Field in years. This one becomes a low-scoring affair with Clemson's stout D-line. A&M will give the Tigers all they can handle, but former Aggie running back commit Travis Etienne gets a late score to push Clemson over the top.

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Prediction: Clemson 21, Texas A&M 17

Sept. 15: A&M vs. Louisiana-Monroe

It appears that Fisher will get to play ULM after all, having resigned at Florida State before the Seminoles took on the War Hawks in last year's regular-season finale. A&M will get a chance to work some things out against this Sun Belt opponent.

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Prediction:

Texas A&M 42, Louisiana-Monroe 17

Sept. 22: A&M at Alabama

A&M's schedule is truly front-loaded as the Aggies play two of the nation's top-5 teams within a span of three weeks. Having taking on the Tigers just two weeks prior, the Aggies will be prepared to play another game at such a high level against the defending national champions. Nick Saban outsmarts one of his best coaching products and remains undefeated against his former assistants though.

Prediction: Alabama 34, Texas A&M 24

Sept. 29: A&M vs. Arkansas

Emotions will be high in this one with former A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis working on the Razorbacks' sideline. Both teams will be feeling the burn of playing their fifth game in one month. As always, Arkansas will have a chance to top the Aggies, but Daniel LaCamera hits a field goal in the waning seconds to give A&M its seventh-straight win over the Razorbacks in Jerry's house.

Prediction: Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 31

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Oct. 6: A&M vs. Kentucky

Being back home for the first time in three weeks will give the Aggies a surge of energy. This will be the first meeting between the two teams in SEC play. The Wildcats start hot with Benny Snell on the run, but A&M finds its way in the second half.

Prediction:

Texas A&M 35, Kentucky 24

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Oct. 13: A&M at South Carolina

This is a game South Carolina would have won last season had the Gamecocks not been troubled with injuries on offense. Quarterback Jake Bentley will now have star receiver Deebo Samuel, who missed the game last year, as the Gamecocks return eight offensive starters. The question remains how well Will Muschamp can whip his defense into shape after losing key pieces. A&M does not survive the sandstorm, however.

Prediction: South Carolina 28, Texas A&M 24

Oct. 27: A&M at Mississippi State

Bulldogs' quarterback Nick Fitzgerald has given the A&M defense fits the past two years, but Texas terror ends this season. The Aggies cause State, who boasts a youthful receiving corps, to become one-dimensional and dependent on the run, giving A&M a good chance to win. Fitzgerald gets the State fans to ring their cowbells loud late, but the crowd goes silent on a late stop by the Aggie defense.

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Prediction: Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 28

Nov. 3: A&M at Auburn

This is one the Aggies might steal as the away team has won each meeting since 2012. Auburn will likely have its two receivers -- Eli Stove and Will Hastings -- that suffered ACL injuries this spring back finally, providing quarterback Jarrett Stidham the weapons he has needed all season long. The odd streak of the road team winning comes to an end.

Prediction:

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Auburn 38, Texas A&M 30

Nov. 10: A&M vs. Ole Miss

For the first time in over a month, A&M will be playing a home game. The Rebels will give A&M all it can handle, especially with quarterback Jordan Ta'amu finding his mid-season groove. November has doomed the Aggies in the past, but A&M holds off the scrappy Rebels' squad.

Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Ole Miss 20

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Nov. 17 A&M vs. UAB

This game will give A&M a chance to work through items it needs to solve in an in-game situation. Like previous November nonconference games, it might not be pretty, but the Aggies play a pivotal winnable game before taking on LSU.

Prediction: Texas A&M 38, UAB 17

Nov. 24: A&M vs. LSU

The LSU Tigers. The last SEC West foe A&M has yet to beat since joining the league in 2012. The Tigers will likely turn towards sophomore Myles Brennan to replace Danny Etling at quarterback. There is no Derrius Guice and the Aggies are at home. Finally, A&M takes down the Bayou Bengals thanks to a 50-plus yard field goal from Daniel LaCamera.

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Prediction: Texas A&M 27, LSU 24

Final Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)

Given the schedule, this would actually be somewhat of a success for A&M in Fisher's first season. By all means the Aggies could win nine or lose close battles and go 7-5. There are several swing games on the schedule against South Carolina, Mississippi State, Auburn and LSU. A&M splitting them at 2-2 seems reasonable. Playing five of six games away from home during conference play is a grueling stretch. A&M definitely has questions it still needs to answer, but the Aggies continue upwards in the offseason.