Texas A&M: Primed for a Playoff Push
I have Texas A&M at No. 12 in my preseason Top 25, and this is a team built for a significant leap in Mike Elko’s second season. After a year that showcased both their incredibly high ceiling and frustrating vulnerabilities, the Aggies return a veteran roster, supplemented by another top-10 recruiting class and a top-10 transfer haul. With a favorable schedule and elite talent on both sides of the ball, Texas A&M is a legitimate contender to make the College Football Playoff as an at-large team.
2024: A Tale of Two Halves
Last season was the definition of a rollercoaster. The Aggies stormed out to a 7-1 start, riding a seven-game winning streak that included top-10 victories over Missouri and LSU. The season culminated in the return of the Lone Star Showdown against Texas, a “win-and-in” game for the SEC Championship with Kyle Field at a fever pitch.
But a 17-7 loss to the Longhorns sparked a late-season collapse. The run game slowed, and the defense fell apart, leading to a 1-4 finish. The defensive meltdown was so uncharacteristic that it led a furious Mike Elko to declare, “I won’t watch a defense play like this ever again.” That frustration has become the fuel for 2025.
Offense: The Goons are Back
The offense is poised for a huge season, thanks to an incredible amount of returning production. It starts with quarterback Marcel Reed, the redshirt freshman who took over after an injury to Conner Weigman and provided a spark, leading the team to a thrilling 31-6 surge to beat LSU. With his pocket elusiveness and a full offseason as the starter, Reed is expected to take a major step forward.
He’ll be handing the ball to star running back Le’Veon Moss, a physical, violent runner whose mid-season injury coincided with the team’s slide. The biggest strength of the offense, however, is the offensive line. The “Maroon Goons” return all five starters, plus two co-starters, from a unit that made a 55-spot jump in my OL Run Push metric. This should be one of the best lines in the country. The receiver room, a weakness last year, was completely revamped with the additions of two of the top transfers in the nation: shifty slot receiver KC Concepcion (NC State) and explosive playmaker Mario Craver (Mississippi State).
Defense: Elko’s Expertise on Display
This is where Mike Elko’s track record shines. Everywhere he has been—his first stint at A&M, Notre Dame, Duke—his defenses have taken a massive leap in his second year. Expect that trend to continue. While the Aggies lost three stars on the defensive line to the NFL, they reloaded through the portal and return a ton of experience at the other two levels.
The entire linebacker duo of Taurean York and Scooby Williams is back after combining for 118 tackles. Even more impressively, the entire starting secondary returns. Led by All-SEC corner Will Lee, who had a 93-yard pick-six against Texas, this unit is poised to fix the explosive play issues that plagued them late last season. With Elko’s defensive mind and a roster full of veterans, this group should return to top-25 form.
The Schedule and the Path
The schedule sets up favorably for a playoff run. The Aggies draw four of the SEC’s bottom six teams, giving them a manageable path in conference play. The season could hinge on a massive non-conference showdown with Notre Dame, a game that I see as a potential “playoff swing game” for both programs. If the Aggies can navigate that test and hold serve in the SEC, they will have a strong case for an at-large bid.
Why I’m So Confident
Here’s why Texas A&M is poised for a big season:
- Mike Elko’s proven second-year bonus, especially on defense.
- Massive returning production, including the entire offensive line and secondary.
- A dynamic young quarterback in Marcel Reed ready to break out.
- Elite transfer portal additions that fixed the biggest weakness at receiver.
- A favorable schedule that provides a clear path to a 10-win season.
This team is built to win now. At No. 12 in my preseason rankings, Texas A&M has the talent, experience, and coaching to make a serious push for the College Football Playoff.
