How many teams ranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll does Texas A&M play this season?

USA Today

2 days ago

Texas A&M's 2025 college football schedule is deemed one of the toughest in the country, mainly due to the five road games that will define the Aggies' season, starting with facing Notre Dame on the road in Week 3. Last season, coach Mike Elko entered his inaugural campaign with high hopes before several key injuries hindered the program's performance late in the year.
However, losing to Notre Dame in Kyle Field to open the season put the Aggies behind the sticks most of the year, despite starting 7-1 before ending 1-4 after star running back Le'Veon Moss was lost for the season. Losing Moss was preceded by a former five-star running back, Rueben Owens, going down early during the 2024 preseason, placing A&M in an immediate hole in the backfield from a depth perspective.
I'm not saying Texas A&M was lucky to finish 8-5 last season, because a nine- or ten-win season was in reach if Moss hadn't been injured, but that's just how the game goes, and no one, especially Mike Elko, is making excuses. Less than a month into the offseason, Elko and his staff retained 72% of the 2024 roster and added 14 players from the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed entered the offseason as the full-time starter, focused on improving as a passer.
Under Elko's defensive play-calling, the defense should be better, especially in coverage. At the same time, OC Collin Klein now has the loaded roster he needs, especially in the trenches, to produce a balanced attack, especially with more speed at wide receiver, knowing transfers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver have dominated in camp so far.
On Monday, the first US LBM Top 25 Coaches Poll was released, with Texas A&M ranked 21st, which isn't surprising given the usual lack of roster examination from a bulk of the head coaches who vote. Still, it's always a good thing to enter every season underrated, but per the rankings, the Aggies will face five ranked opponents, including four in the SEC.
USA TODAY recently ranked Texas A&M's 2025 schedule the 7th toughest nationally, and the path to the College Football Playoff has not changed. The Aggies will likely need to defeat either Notre Dame, LSU, or Texas while taking care of business against Arkansas and Missouri on the road. Losing to either Florida or South Carolina at home might not matter, but finishing undefeated in Kyle Field will only increase the program's chances of earning a playoff berth.
Texas A&M will kick off the 2025 season against UTSA in Kyle Field on Saturday, August 30.
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