Texas A&M Climbs to No. 9 After Dominant 50-0 Season Opener
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Texas A&M football didn't give voters much reason to worry in its 2026 season opener.
The Aggies dismantled Missouri State 50-0 at Kyle Field, and the performance was enough to keep Mike Elko's program firmly inside the national top 10. Texas A&M landed at No. 9 in the Week 2 Coaches Poll, one spot behind LSU and ahead of Oklahoma.
MORE: Mike Elko: Arizona State Will Be Texas A&M’s First Real Test
The ranking comes after one of the most dominant defensive performances anywhere in college football's opening weekend.
Texas A&M held Missouri State to just 67 total yards, the fewest allowed by an Elko-coached Aggies team and the program's lowest opponent total since 1978.
The Bears never seriously threatened to score, while A&M's defense created turnovers and consistently put the offense in favorable situations.
Quarterback Marcel Reed delivered an efficient start to his season.
The senior completed 21 of 30 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with 10 different receivers.
Reed also added 20 rushing yards as Texas A&M controlled the game without needing its quarterback to carry the entire offensive load.
Transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton made an immediate impact with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Mario Craver caught five passes for 41 yards and another score.
The running game gave A&M another reason for optimism.
Rueben Owens II led the Aggies with 77 yards on 17 carries as Texas A&M finished with 236 rushing yards. Terry Bussey, Jamarion Morrow and freshman Carsyn Baker each scored on the ground.
Still, the defense produced the biggest statement.
Linebacker Noah Mikhail recorded a career-high seven tackles, while Ryan Henderson contributed two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble in his Texas A&M debut.
Now the level of competition rises considerably.
Texas A&M hosts Arizona State on Saturday, giving the Aggies an opportunity to show whether their Week 1 dominance was simply the product of an overmatched opponent or the first sign of a team capable of making another run toward the College Football Playoff.
The national rankings will eventually sort themselves out.
MORE: Mike Elko Addresses Potential Marcel Reed National Snub
For now, Texas A&M is 1-0, ranked inside the top 10 and coming off a 50-point victory in which its opponent couldn't even reach 70 yards of offense.
That's about as convincing an opening statement as Elko could have asked for.
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