Back in October, when Texas A&M was sitting pretty at 5-0 and preparing for the toughest part of its schedule, comparisons were naturally drawn to 2014.
The reason was obvious: the 2015 record through five games was the same as the 2014 Aggies, who wound up imploding the following three weeks. The 2014 team lost three in a row, and by November barely resembled the bunch that some considered a possible playoff contender in September.
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, with a quiet confidence that contained a hint of defiance, was adamant this September -- when the Aggies were 4-0 and coming off an overtime win against Arkansas -- that this team was nothing like 2014, even as observers looked at this season's start with some caution.