SEC football analysts share optimism about Texas A&M's odds to reach 2025 CFP

USA Today

6 hours ago

With fall camp just around the corner for the Texas A&M football program, a pair of Southeastern Conference analysts previewed the 2025 season expectations for the Aggies.
Michael Bratton, otherwise known on social media as SEC Mike, shared optimism for the program's College Football Playoff hopes this year alongside co-host Cousin Shane. According to the breakdown from the duo on "That SEC Podcast", second-year head coach Mike Elko could bring Texas A&M back to the apex of the conference if they can stay healthy.
With the No. 10 strength of schedule in the country, the Aggies should be a lock for the CFP if they can find a way to achieve the program's first 10-win season since the Johnny Manziel era in 2012. According to college football analyst Kelley Ford, Elko and company have a 60% chance or more to win nine games this season, even considering the difficult schedule.
In Elko's first year at the helm, he led his team to an 8-5 record (5-3 in SEC play) with wins over the likes of Missouri, LSU, Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi State in his first season as a head coach in the conference. While the finish to the season left more to be desired, there were some impressive moments with glimpses of hope for Aggie fans heading into 2025.
"There was some big wins. I mean, I picked against them against Mizzou, I think I picked them against Florida and obviously LSU," Shane said. "There were some games I really didn't think Elko was going to get, so I think overall, when you're looking big picture, you're okay as an Aggie fan."
One of the biggest factors in the overall success of the program this season will be the Texas A&M running back room that features Le'Veon Moss, Amari Daniels and Reuben Owens II. The health of the group and the ability to set up big plays downfield with a dominant rushing attack are something that the Aggies will need to find again this season.
"If I'm an A&M fan, that's why I'm so excited because that's our bread and butter is running the football. When we were 7-1, we were dominant on the ground. If we can get back to that, this is going to be one heck of a year," Bratton said.
According to On3 Sports and 247Sports, Texas A&M hauled in the No. 11 portal class in the country this offseason, featuring the likes of NC State standout wide receiver KC Concepcion and Washington Huskies defensive back Jordan Shaw, among others.
When previewing the Aggies' schedule this season, Bratton and Shane predicted eight victories and four toss-up games. Florida at home and on the road against Notre Dame, LSU and Texas fell under the questionable category, but Shane rebutted Bratton's thoughts on the game against the Gators in College Station.
"This is a sweet little schedule. We're so quick to talk about Mizzou, Tennessee and Ole Miss, but A&M has a pretty easy (schedule)," Shane said. "It's not easy because nothing's easy when you have SEC teams on your schedule, but as of right now, I'm really liking this schedule."
If everything continues to trend in the right direction for the Aggies as the program transitions into fall camp, Texas A&M could potentially be a dark horse to reach this year's CFP.
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