Texas A&M ranked in the top 10 in ESPN's SP+ rankings
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Texas A&M’s 2026 season is a little over five months away, and through four spring practices, third-year coach Mike Elko and his revamped coaching staff have been focused on installing offensive and defensive schemes with the 17 transfer additions, combined with 25 of 26 freshmen from the 2026 recruiting class, needing to gain comfort in the system over the next two weeks.
The Aggies’ 2025 season ended with a first-round loss to Miami, and after losing 20-plus players to the transfer portal and the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko’s focus on avoiding a rebuild was a success, as all 17 transfer portal additions will compete for starting jobs or key rotational roles, including four SEC offensive linemen.
Still, the return of starting quarterback Marcel Reed will likely “make or break” the Aggies’ chances of returning to the CFP, but given the talent at wide recever, especially after landing former Alabama wideout Isaiah Horton from the portal, Texas A&M’s passing game should be lethal, while the Aggie defense will be led by a deep secondary and a pair of new pass rushers with high upside.
On Friday, ESPN analyst Bill Connelly released his annual SP+ rankings for all 138 college football teams, and after being ranked 11th in nearly every preseason rankings release, Texas A&M comes in at No. 9. F
Or those who may have forgotten, Connelly’s rankings are based on returning production, recent history regarding every team’s previous record and offseason additions, recruiting success, which includes the transfer portal, and the effects of any head coaching change.
Here is where Texas A&M’s 2026 offense, defense, and special teams rank:
- SP+: 20.3
- SP+ (Offense): 37.3, 10th overall
- SP+ (Defense) 16.7, 14th overall
- SP+ (Special Teams) -0.3, 99th overall
Based on the Aggies’ 2026 schedule, Texas A&M will face seven teams in the SP+ top 25, including five on the road. From start to finish, Elko’s third roster will be challenged every week, and will likely need to finish 10-2, or at the very least, 9-3 to have a shot at returning to the CFP.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football lands at No. 9 in new SP+ rankings
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