On3 ranks Texas A&M as one of 5 'serious contenders' for the CFP
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Texas A&M coach Mike Elko enters his third season at the helm with even higher expectations after leading the Aggies to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, which included quarterback Marcel Reed throwing for a career-high 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, connecting with star transfer wide receivers KC Concecpcion and Mario Craver, combining for nearly 1,900 yards and 13 touchdowns.
On Defense, former Bowling Green edge Cashius Howell led the SEC with 11.5 sacks and became just the 11th unanimous All-American in Texas A&M history, resulting in a second-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2026 NFL Draft. Elko’s offseason prediction regarding the Aggies’ 2025 roster came true, as a record 10 players were selected in the draft, led by KC Concepcion, who went 24th overall to the Cleveland Browns.
Continuing to check boxes, the goals for 2026 remain the same, while getting back to the CFP and getting out of the first round after losing to Miami in Kyle Field last December is the primary mission. However, it’s important to note that the Aggies will face several hurdles, including new OC Holmon Wiggins taking over as the playcaller for the first time in his career, paired with 17 transfer portal additions on both sides of the ball.
Still, Mike Elko has already proven that he is capable of leading the Aggies to new heights, and while Texas A&M is not the overwhelming favorite to win a national title this season, On3’s Chris Low still feels that the Aggies are “serious contenders,” joining Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Alabama, and LSU in his recent SEC CFP rankings.
“Mike Elko, entering his third season as Texas A&M’s head coach, joked recently that he hopes everybody remembers how daunting the 2026 schedule looks for the Aggies when the same was true at this point a year ago and “then during the season, all they talked about was how our schedule is weak.” Texas A&M does get a bit of a break with only two of its SEC road games potentially kicking off at night (LSU and Alabama). The best thing the Aggies have going for them, though, is that Elko has improved the program each year, and if quarterback Marcel Reed can put it all together and play better and more consistently in the big games in his third year as the starter, this is a team that doesn’t have many weaknesses. Texas A&M added key pieces in the portal, especially on the offensive line, and should be outstanding in the defensive secondary. The nagging question: Can Texas A&M beat Texas this season at home after two straight defeats to its bitter rival?”
Chris Low covered all the bases, and while we all sound redundant this summer, Texas A&M must defeat the Texas Longhorns for the first time since the Aggies’ main rival transitioned to the SEC before the 2024 season. Elko’s talented 2026 roster will be favored in nearly every home game, but the road slate, including LSU, Missouri, South Carolina, Alabama, and Oklahoma, will also define the season.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: On3 ranks Texas A&M as one of five ‘serious contenders’ for the CFP
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