Texas A&M Aggies Prepare for Upcoming Football Season

News Summary

The Texas A&M Aggies are looking ahead to the next college football season under head coach Mike Elko. With an 8-5 record from the previous year, the team is optimistic about their potential. Analysts highlight the importance of maintaining player health and improving offensive strategies as key factors for success. With a majority of the roster returning, including notable players, the Aggies’ season opener against UTSA will set the tone for their performance in a challenging SEC schedule.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas

The Texas A&M Aggies are gearing up for the 2025 college football season with optimism as they enter Year 2 under head coach Mike Elko. Following a successful Year 1 that concluded with an 8-5 record, the Aggies see potential growth as they focus on both health and performance on the field.

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy has expressed hope for the Aggies’ trajectory, emphasizing that if the team can sustain strong defensive play and improve their offensive strategies, they might exceed expectations within the Southeastern Conference (SEC). A critical factor in the Aggies’ upcoming success will be their ability to maintain the health of key players throughout the season.

Texas A&M is returning 71% of its production from the previous season, a statistic that ranks them 6th nationally. This returning production includes 70% on offense and 73% on defense. The roster features significant returning players, including defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe, wide receiver Terry Bussey, linebacker Taurean York, running back Le’Veon Moss, and quarterback Marcel Reed.

Le’Veon Moss, in particular, is a notable returnee after missing portions of the last season due to injury. The Aggies struggled to maintain their momentum during the games he was sidelined, finishing with a disappointing 1-3 record in those matchups. His health and performance will be closely monitored as he returns to the field this season.

The Aggies will kick off the season on August 30 against UTSA, setting the stage for what some fans hope will be a strong campaign. According to Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings, Texas A&M has been placed 15th overall as they enter the new season. Historically, since joining the SEC, the Aggies have consistently ranked near the top of the SP+ except for a dip in the 2022 season.

However, the schedule presents significant challenges as the Aggies will face four teams ranked ahead of them, including Texas, Notre Dame, Florida, and LSU. Most of these matchups will occur on the road, raising concerns about the feasibility of replicating or improving upon last season’s performance, as another 8-4 record would likely be considered unsatisfactory.

Coach Mike Elko acknowledges the need for a more hands-on approach to defensive play calling in the upcoming season. His efforts to rebuild the team’s culture and strengthen player commitment have been positively recognized by other SEC coaches, who welcome reports of positive changes within the Aggies’ program.

Though the returning production numbers provide a snapshot of the team’s potential, they may not fully reflect the offensive capabilities due to the departure of former quarterback Conner Weigman. As the team readjusts, their early game against Notre Dame will serve as a critical test, potentially influencing the tone for the rest of the season.

This offseason, the Aggies have also made significant roster changes, including the acquisition of 14 players from the transfer portal. These adjustments aim to reinforce the squad following a disappointing performance during the tenure of previous coach Jimbo Fisher.

Anonymous opinions from SEC coaches indicate a general belief in Mike Elko’s ability to transform the Aggies into formidable competitors within the conference, a sentiment that will be put to the test as the 2025 season unfolds.