What are Texas A&M's best and worst-case scenarios in 2025?
Coach Mike Elko's second season at the helm will be fairly and unfairly judged, but that's life in the SEC, and with the talent, and most importantly, experience on the 2025 roster, while redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed will be under the national microscope during his first full season as the starter.
Returning all five offensive line starters from the beginning of the 2024 season, Texas A&M's loaded running back room starts and ends with senior Le'Veon Moss, with Reuben Owens, Amari Daniels, and even EJ Smith providing substantial depth that will (hopefully) help avoid last season's poor late-season finish. With the additions of KC Concepcion, Mario Craver, and Jonah Wilson at wide receiver, another position of weakness should finally rebound.
However, it's A&M's defense that could be the primary strength after Elko and his staff added more depth to the 2025 D-line, led by former Iowa State defensive lineman Tyler Odyedim, who is seen as an immediate upgrade to the run defense while providing more interior pass rush.
After hiring James Madison defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, Texas A&M's secondary should also improve, especially safety Bryce Anderson, who struggled throughout the 2024 campaign.
Still, it will be the upgraded cornerback room, as senior Will Lee III, Georgia transfer Julian Humphrey, Washington transfer Jordan Shaw, and senior Tyreek Chappell will be heavily depended on, while veterans Bravion Rogers and Jayvon Thomas enter the year with a final chance to make an impact.
What's the best-case scenario for Texas A&M this coming season? Considering the demanding schedule, which includes road contests against Notre Dame, Arkansas, Missouri, LSU, and the Texas Longhorns, the Aggies will realistically need to finish with at least nine wins to earn a College Football Playoff bid.
According to SEC Unfiltered founder/host Chris Phillips, he believes a 10-2 finish, with likely losses to LSU and Texas, is the best possible outcome, while the familiar and highly disappointing 7-5 record is the bottom of the barrel if things go south. If you ask a majority of us in Aggie media, this prediction rings true. Still, I'll continue to stick with my 9-3 mark, with road losses to either Notre Dame, LSU, or Texas at the end of the year, and a home loss to either Florida or South Carolina.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
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