How do you ease the pain of a forgettable 5-7 season, quiet the talk of a failed Jimbo Fisher experiment and give Aggieland something to hang hats on during the long months of the offseason? Well, you drub the No. 5 team in the country in front of a raucous Kyle Field crowd. You give the home folks a peek at just what might be in the future.

Yes, we’ve been there before with Jimbo Fisher during his 5 seasons at Texas A&M, but there’s no denying that the 38-23 rout of LSU on Saturday was impressive.

In no particular order, here are the 10 biggest takeaways from a season to forget:

Jimbo Fisher doesn’t take things lying down

The much-publicized feud with former boss Nick Saban was epic before the season started. The only disappointment is that nobody dared bother to investigate Fisher’s accusations. That was a can of worms no one was about to touch. Kudos, nonetheless to Fisher for at least bringing it to light. He prepared his team to end the season with one of the most impressive victories in recent memory.

Team was not responding, until Saturday

Fisher’s 5th season was by far his worst at Texas A&M. The regression was staggering. It’s true that 5 of the Aggies’ 7 losses this season were by 1 score. But this young team came together in the season finale. What that means for the future is the unknown.

Potential is there

Just 1 more score here and there would have made a big difference in the Aggies’ record this year. Just one play away, 1 receiver running correctly his route could have equaled the major upset of Alabama that the Aggies pulled last season. Maybe the light bulb has finally clicked on? It sure did on Saturday. There is an entire offseason to ponder what could be.

Devon Achane is the real deal

The brightest spot in the Aggies’ otherwise forgettable season. Achane can do it all. One of the top rushers in the SEC, Achane also was among the premiere return men nationally as well. He ran with authority and developed into one of the best backs certainly in the SEC if not the country. He ended the year with a career-best 215 rushing yards against LSU.

Conner Weigman still has a ways to go

Like the entire team, the potential is there for Weigman, but the telltale signs of excellence haven’t emerged. He ended the season with a 12-for-18 performance for 155 yards and 2 TDs in the victory against LSU. He did not throw an interception. Maybe he deserves a full year as a starter before a final grade is assessed. Against Ole Miss, he threw for 338 yards (with 4 TDs) most by a true freshman in program history. So, perhaps patience, as crazy as that sounds in Fisher’s 5th season, is necessary here.

Evan Stewart is going to be special

The wide receiver was arguably the best freshman pass catcher in the country. He, like Achane, made big plays this season, and no doubt will get better with experience. He has the “it” factor. Fisher recognized it and gave him his opportunity early. He did not disappoint.

When healthy, Antonio Johnson is a beast

A bright spot on an Aggies defense that was among the tops in the conference against the pass. He was hampered by injuries that sent him to the sideline for a few games, but Johnson had a nose for the football and hunted the opposition with bad intent.

Secondary was a highlight

Along with Johnson, the Aggies’ veteran secondary was stingy in giving up yardage. Five of the veterans in the Aggies’ secondary tallied double-digit career starts. Johnson, Demani Richardson, Jaylon Jones, and Tyreek Chappell combined for more than 100 starts.

6 consecutive losses unthinkable

Six losses total in a season should be unacceptable, much less 6 losses in a row. But that’s where the Aggies find themselves, a team unable to dig themselves out of a hole. Thank goodness for UMass to end that skid.

Turn the Moose loose

Sophomore WR Moose Muhammad III is turning into a serious weapon. His team-high 94 receiving yards on 5 catches and 1 TD were critical in the Aggies’ upset victory on Saturday. He was the Aggies’ 2nd-leading receiver behind Stewart this season. The two combined could be among the SEC’s top receiving duos in 2023.