Fisher on Texas A&M facing Clemson, 'definitely a measuring stick'

Today marked the beginning of SEC Media Days and Texas A&M head coach, Jimbo Fisher, spoke about his new job and a very familiar opponent headed his way early in the season.

For eight years, Fisher led Florida State, going head to head with Clemson for ACC supremacy. Before leaving for the SEC, Fisher had great success in Tallahassee, including guiding the Seminoles to a national title in 2013.

The first question fired at Fisher today was if he thought there was anything different schematically in the SEC and the ACC.

"No, I don't. I think the ACC quality of play has risen because of the SEC. It brought the level of play up. I think we started doing it and Clemson started doing it. Miami's coming along. I think that league (the ACC) is so much better, and I think it's very competitive."

Now, in his first year in College Station, Fisher will face a top-rated Clemson team and Dabo Swinney during a week two matchup at Kyle Field.

 "Well, you're gonna find out where you're at, that's for sure. Because they're either one or two in every poll is country. So you're going to find out quickly, and I think it does get your kids' attention," Fisher noted.

The Tigers know Fisher well but haven't faced Texas A&M since the 2005 home opener, a 25-24 Clemson win.

The Tigers' last trip to A&M was in 2004, but this season's game will give the Aggies their first chance to make some noise under their new head coach.

"I mean, it definitely is a measuring stick," Fisher said. "But you know, hopefully, when you get good in your program, you don't measure yourself against other people."

Fisher, sounding a lot like Swinney, went on to talk about how he would like the Aggies to respond to their opponents. 

"I want us to understand how you've got to measure yourself against yourself, and the way you work in the way you do things. I mean, your opponents become faceless. Tell me, who in this league isn't tough? Name me one. I mean, it's the way it is."

The SEC West is sure to be a grind for the former Seminole coach. In addition to Clemson, the Aggies will bump heads against Alabama and Auburn along the way. Fisher said he was focused on creating a new vision for his players at A&M.

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jimbo Fisher speaks during the 2018 SEC Media Days.

"You have to understand who you are and what you want and have the vision of who you can be. Picture yourself the champion, picturing yourself, not saying it-  because the media wants to hear it. Do you really believe it? Because until you believe it and see it? It doesn't matter. You can play the Clemson's, Alabama's, whoever you play. You got to measure yourself by your own measuring stick," Fisher noted.

As for where the Aggies are right now, Fisher still needs some time to evaluate his new team.

"Hopefully, we can get to that very quickly and I hope we're there now. Maybe we are. I don't know. I'm not saying we are, I'm not saying we aren't. We'll find out," Fisher stated. "It's more of if you measure yourself against other people. The great teams I've ever been around measure themselves against themselves and then they challenge themselves with the opponent."

Clemson and Texas A&M will face off on September 8th at 7:00 PM.