02-07-2025
Circle these dates: Texas A&M's most difficult obstacles in path to reaching CFP
With the No. 10 most difficult schedule in college football this season, the Texas A&M football program will have many obstacles in its path to the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff.
In his first season at the helm in College Station, head coach Mike Elko helped lead the Aggies to the school's first eight-win season since 2021. Texas A&M defeated two programs ranked in the top 10 in 2024, with a 41-10 win over No. 9 Missouri and a 38-23 victory over No. 8 LSU. Although the conclusion to last year's campaign was not ideal, Elko and company have significantly rebuilt the roster with top-ranked portal editions to fill positions of need heading into this season.
The 2025 Aggie portal class ranks No. 11 per On3 Sports Transfer Football Team Rankings, as the likes of wideout KC Concepcion (NC State), Mario Craver (Mississippi State), defensive back Jordan Shaw (Washington), Julian Humphrey (Georgia) and more round out Texas A&M's portal class heading into Elko's second year as the head coach in Aggieland.
While the roster isn't lacking talent, the Aggies have a difficult and long road ahead to reach the Southeastern Conference Championship and potentially the CFP. Road games in the SEC are no small task, and the non-conference slate includes the College Football Playoff National Championship runner-up.
With just 59 days remaining until kickoff at Kyle Field, here are the most difficult games on Texas A&M's schedule in 2025:
1. LSU Tigers
Heading into his fourth year as the head coach in Baton Rouge, La., Brian Kelly has assembled one of his most impressive squads yet. While the offensive line will miss the presence of current New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell, 6-foot-7-inch, 310-pound left tackle Tyree Adams will likely fill that position in his sophomore season.
Veteran quarterback Garrett Nussmeier also returns under center for the Tigers after ranking second in the conference with 4,052 passing yards and leading the league with 337 completions last season. With wide receiver Nic Anderson returning to full health, and transfers like Barlon Brown (Kentucky) and Destyn Hill (Florida State) rounding out the LSU wide receiving corps, it is going to be a massive test for the Texas A&M secondary when they face the Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Tiger Stadium. Kelly and company will be looking for revenge after getting embarrassed by the Aggies in 2024.
2. Texas Longhorns
The return of the Lone Star Showdown in 2024 reignited the flame of a rivalry that was first played on Oct. 19, 1984. Although last year's matchup ended with the Longhorns defeating the Aggies 17-7 in College Station, this year's contest could be a different story if the pieces of Elko's roster come together. It will take another incredible defensive performance to stop a quarterback like Arch Manning, however.
Manning has all the intangibles to become one of the best signal-callers in the SEC, but he still has much maturing to do if he wants to reach that pinnacle. The complete overhaul of the offensive line will be a challenge for head coach Steve Sarkisian, but the running back room is filled with talent like Quintrevion Wisner, who shredded the A&M defense in last season's contest. If Elko wants to remain in good graces with the Aggie faithful, it will likely take a victory in Austin, Texas, to cap off the year.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish proved they are deserving of recognition for their success. After suffering a devastating upset loss to Northern Illinois in September, Freeman and company bounced back by reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Among those victories in 2024 was a 23-13 win over Texas A&M.
As the Aggies travel to South Bend, Ind., on Sep. 13 at 6:30 p.m. CT, Elko and company will get the opportunity to rewrite the wrongdoings of last year's defeat to Freeman's squad. Highly-touted quarterback CJ Carr leads the Fighting Irish this season, and he could be one of the most talented gunslingers in the country if he meets expectations. The dangerous running back duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price return to Notre Dame this season, after combining for 1,871 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns last year. Freeman and the potentially explosive Fighting Irish offense will be an obstacle for Texas A&M, but the defense could be exploited if sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed pans out.
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