On the 'Road to Gainesville,' Texas A&M looks to reverse road fortunes

In the 1940s, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby made a series of “Road to…” movies.

The films featured the stars’ comedic pratfalls and misadventures to exotic destinations like Rio, Singapore and Zanzibar. They always concluded with a happy ending.

Texas A&M’s last 10 road trips have also featured pratfalls and misadventures.

Yet, there were three major differences from the Hope-Crosby movies.

A&M’s misadventures on the road haven’t been funny, the endings haven’t been happy, and frankly, the Aggies haven’t had much hope.

Remember:

Road to Columbia (2022): A&M gave up a touchdown on a kickoff return. A fumble soon followed. An interception, too. A&M trailed 17-0 just five minutes into the game and never recovered.

Road to Tuscaloosa (2022): Needing two yards on the final play to pull out a huge victory, coach Jimbo Fisher called a low-percentage pass play in which future NFL star De’Von Achane had virtually no role.

Road to Auburn (2022): The Aggies allowed just 60 yards passing and forced three turnovers. Still, Fisher lost to Auburn interim coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams.

Road to Miami (2023): The Aggies allowed a momentum-changing kickoff for a touchdown, lost three turnovers and routinely left inexperienced cornerbacks in man coverage rushing just three as Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke passed for 374 yards and five touchdowns.

Road to Knoxville (2023): Fisher didn’t think to call a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 and squandered a scoring opportunity. Later, the Aggies allowed a punt return for a touchdown.

Road to Oxford (2023): A pass on first-and-goal at the 5-yard line was intercepted. The Aggies could not hold a fourth-quarter lead. A last-play field goal attempt to force overtime was blocked.

Alas, A&M has not won a “true” road game since defeating Missouri 35-14 on Oct. 16, 2021.

“I’ve been here three years,” said A&M junior defensive end Shemar Stewart, who’s endured all of the above losses. “It’s not like we go out there playing to lose. We play our hearts out, but sometimes we come up short."

The reason for A&M’s road blocks is perplexing. There seems to be no answer.

Well, coach Mike Elko might have one.

“Some of it is it’s just challenging playing on the road in this conference (SEC),” Elko said. “One of the things that makes this conference so unique is you’re going to play in a hostile environment no matter who, no matter where, no matter when.

“That certainly presents challenges. There are no easy road games whereas in some other conferences you maybe get some road games that aren’t quite as daunting. In this league every single game is a major challenge.”

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Led by Ainias Smith and Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M outscored Missouri 28-7 in the first half en route to a 35-14 victory on Oct. 16, 2021. That marked the last time A&M captured a “true” road victory.

A&M tries again Saturday on the road to Gainesville. The Aggies last faced Florida in 2022 at Kyle Field. They lost 41-24.

But this road trip might be different. Florida is struggling and might be without star receiver Eugene “Tre” Wilson III. Also, the Gators’ defense is ranked 15th out of 16 in the SEC.

The Aggies have a solid running game which could give Florida trouble.

Plus, under Fisher, the Aggies left on Thursday for Saturday road games. That’s no longer the case. Elko made it clear the team won’t depart College Station until Friday.

The main reason for optimism, however, isn’t Elkos’ scheduled departure. It’s Elko’s arrival.

Elko was A&M’s defensive coordinator the last time the Aggies won on the road. Indeed, he was present for a lot of road victories before the current drought.

Even in spring drills Elko was working to solve A&M’s road problems.

“I think we maybe started back in the spring kind of doing some things that we think are important when you play road games in this conference,” he said. “Things with your mechanics. How you work your quarterback-center snaps. How you work different things getting in and out of the huddle. How you communicate in bad environments.

“It’s something we’ve put some time and effort into.”

It’s about time the Aggies get a winning effort on the road. Stewart thinks they will.

“I don’t know what it was,” he said about the reason for A&M’s road futility. “But I’m feeling confident in Saturday going in there and come out with a W.”

No win is assured. Especially on the road.

But on the “Road to Gainesville,” the Aggies at least have hope.