Texas A&M's nine-game SEC schedule will require 'mental toughness'

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SEC Media Days have ended, and on Wednesday, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, quarterback Marcel Reed, linebacker Daymion Sanford, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe spoke to the local and national media, providing an extensive preview of the 2026 season, which will serve as Elko's third at the helm, while Marcel Reed is entering his second full starting season.

For the first time, the SEC will play a nine-game conference schedule, which will likely result in more three- and four-loss teams, which could easily include Texas A&M given the Aggies' tough conference schedule with road tests vs. LSU, Missouri, South Carolina, Alabama, and Oklahoma, while hosting the Texas Longhorns during the regular season finale.

Last season, Texas A&M made the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, ending the year with an 11-2 record, only losing to Texas on the road in SEC play before falling to eventual runner-up Miami in the first round of the CFP.

While many viewed A&M's 2026 schedule as "weak," despite road games against Notre Dame, LSU, and Missouri, all resulting in wins, we can all agree this year's conference slate will challenge the Aggies from start to finish, starting with hosting Kentucky in Week 3. On Wednesday, Mike Elko spoke at length with SEC Network host Paul Finebaum, providing his take on the nine-game schedule.

"We want to build the necessary grit and toughness we need to make it through this schedule. We have to survive that from a physicality and mental toughness standpoint. We have to build our culture the right way. We have to be ready for it."

"Grit and toughness" is developed late in the season, but after the Aggies' epic comeback win over South Carolina, Marcel Reed's career lows in the first half, despite his second-half brilliance, could have resulted in the poor play we saw from the junior signal-caller against Texas A&M and Miami, throwing four of his 12 interceptions in both losses.

Even after a record 10 players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Aggies added 17 players from the transfer portal, who have fully bought into the culture, while bringing a physical play style at every position.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's nine-game SEC schedule will require 'mental toughness'

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