'They're a popcorn program': FOX Sports' analyst calls Texas A&M average

A college football analyst just dissed Texas A&M during his interview with The Next Round, calling the Aggies and Auburn Tigers "popcorn programs" ahead of the 2026 season.

Joel Klatt of FOX Sports discussed his Week 0 takeaways and biggest storylines in the sport this year. It wouldn't be a Klatt appearance without him throwing shots at the Southeastern Conference, however. In his interview, the college football and NFL analyst said Texas A&M is an inconsistent and average program that occasionally pops up.

Since joining the SEC in 2012, the Aggies average 8.3 wins per season. The program has secured 13 winning seasons in 14 years, while having 11 seasons with at least eight wins. Outside of the disastrous 2022 campaign under former head coach Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M hasn't had a losing record.

While Klatt may have felt like he stung the Maroon and White fanbase with another smart remark against a team in the SEC, the data shows otherwise.

"Auburn reminds me a lot of Texas A&M in that there's not a ton of consistency, but the expectations are always that they're going to be great… They're a popcorn program just like A&M. They're an average program that pops up every once in a while." – @joelklattpic.twitter.com/df4OMnLOtC

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) August 31, 2026

If you look at the success under sitting head coach Mike Elko, the case for a rebuttal against Klatt's popcorn comments is even stronger. Elko has a 19-7 overall record through the first three seasons in College Station, including leading the Aggies to the program's first 11-0 start since 1992. Texas A&M reached the CFP last season, unlike other programs Klatt tends to favor, including his alma mater, Colorado. In fact, he didn't include a single SEC team in his personal top 25, leaving teams like Georgia and Texas out, even though they ranked in the top five in all major polls.

Texas A&M doesn't have the national championships that Georgia and Alabama do, but calling them average is lazy.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'They're a popcorn program': FOX Sports' analyst calls Texas A&M average