Entering the third year of the Mike Elko era in College Station, Texas A&M has morphed into a full-blown conference title contender. Last season, the Aggies started 11-0 and were a top-five team before dropping their final two games to rival Texas and national runner-up Miami.
This season, the Aggies have to strike a delicate balance of leaning on key returners while replacing key playmakers who left for the NFL Draft. Quarterback Marcel Reed is back after an up-and-down showing in big games. He’s proven he can be one of the more electric quarterbacks in college football — the key is finding more consistency.
Former offensive coordinator Collin Klein took the Kansas State job, which means new play-caller Holmon Wiggins steps in. The Aggies bring back 65% of last season’s production, fifth-best in the SEC. If Texas A&M’s transfer portal acquisitions hit the ground running, the Aggies should be a CFP threat for the second straight season.
Here are five bold predictions for Texas A&M in 2026.
5 Bold Predictions for Texas A&M for the 2026 College Football Season
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Texas A&M Will Make the 2026 College Football Playoff
Aggie fans have every right to be upset about how last season ended. Amassing an 11-0 record before back-to-back losses to close out the season had to sting. But there’s plenty of reason for optimism that this team can be part of the 12-team field again in 2026.
Texas A&M brings back the fifth-most returning production in the SEC. Reed is back after throwing for over 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Aggies’ offensive and defensive lines should be strong again, despite key departures to the NFL.
That said, the Aggies play a difficult schedule that features games against Arizona State, road games at LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma, plus their traditional rivalry with Texas. Those are fair critiques of this team’s outlook.
Even so, Texas A&M will likely win a few of those swing games and, in all likelihood, will be a part of the CFP field of 12 at season’s end.
The Aggies Will Not Make the 2026 SEC Title Game
Expectations have rightfully been ratcheted up a few notches after back-to-back strong seasons under Elko. The Aggies went 8-5 under Elko in Year 1 and rattled off 11 straight regular-season wins last fall.
This year’s team has a different feel, though, and it might be a bit much to expect this group to ascend to the very top of the deepest conference in college football.
Texas A&M is breaking in a new play-caller after Klein’s departure. The Aggies lost big-time talent on both the offensive and defensive lines in this past April’s NFL Draft. Sprinkle in some turnover at wide receiver, and you have the chance for the Aggies to sputter in some spots, especially early in the season.
The Aggies won’t make the SEC title game in 2026, but will win nine or 10 games and be a participant in this season’s College Football Playoff.
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Quarterback Marcel Reed Will Clean Up the Turnovers
On paper, Reed does almost everything you want out of a college quarterback. He regularly flashes dual-threat capabilities. He has a powerful arm, despite being undersized. He’s also proven he can dig his team out of big holes, as evidenced by the Aggies’ unbelievable 27-point comeback against South Carolina last season.
But the one major flaw in his game—the thing he’s been unable to overcome so far in his career—is that he turns the ball over far too often. He threw six picks during the 2024 season after becoming the full-time starter. Last season, that number doubled, and the interceptions reared their ugly heads in big spots.
All offseason, Reed has heard the noise about his propensity to turn the ball over in critical moments. He’ll have prepared to clean up the mistakes, and I think he’ll take a nice step in the right direction during the 2026 season.
If he throws eight or fewer interceptions this season, the Aggies will be much better off.
Wide Receiver Mario Craver Will Lead the Aggies in Receiving Yards
Last season, Texas A&M wideouts KC Concepcion and Mario Craver wreaked havoc on opposing secondaries. Both players took the top off the defense, averaging over 15 yards per reception and tallying 13 touchdowns combined.
Concepcion is off to the NFL, which means Craver will likely be the top target for Reed and new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. Even with Concepcion’s departure, the Aggies should have another dynamic one-two punch at wide receiver with Craver and Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton.
Both players have a good feel for the game, can stretch defenses vertically and have played in a ton of big games over the last couple of seasons.
Craver will be pure box office this season, and barring an injury, should notch more than 900 receiving yards for the second straight campaign.
Edge Rusher Anto Saka Will Be the Next Great Texas A&M Sack Artist
In recent seasons, Texas A&M has turned into an NFL edge-rusher factory. The Aggies have churned out high-end talent at an alarming clip, with players like Nic Scourton and Cashius Howell flourishing in College Station before departing via the NFL Draft.
After Howell’s departure, Elko knew he needed another stud on the defensive line, and he poached former Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka from the transfer portal. Saka has a hulking 6-foot-4, 255 pound frame and plays with a mean streak.
In three seasons at Northwestern, he tallied 12 sacks. That’s not an astronomical figure, but in Evanston, he was getting double-teamed on a regular basis. At Texas A&M, offensive lines won’t always have that luxury, and he’ll benefit a ton because of it.
Keep an eye out for Saka to have an immediate impact on the Aggies’ defense in 2026.
