Prior to the start of the season, the Texas A&M football team’s schedule looked relatively simple. The Aggies only had two ranked opponents ahead in 2021, with Alabama remaining at the top of the AP Poll and LSU somehow sneaking into the top-25 at the 16th spot.
Eight weeks into the actual season and things could not be more different. LSU is out of the AP Poll entirely, while Alabama is — prepare to be shocked — all the way down to No. 3. Jarring information, I know.
Texas A&M, on the other hand, is back to winning ways, but two early losses have them in a strange position. At this point in time, it’s important to re-evaluate each game’s importance for the Texas A&M football team. Originally, it was just Alabama-or-bust — now, things are more complex than that.
Texas A&M Football Opponents, No. 4: Prairie View A&M Panthers
The gap between Prairie View A&M and the Aggies’ next-most-important opponent is gigantic. In short, this is virtually a guaranteed win for Texas A&M. If they lose to Prairie View A&M, it would be one of the worst losses in school history.
But it would also be an extremely non-impactful loss, as it’s the only game remaining for the Texas A&M football team outside of the SEC. Hypothetically speaking, the Aggies losing this game would have no implications on their chances of going to Atlanta.
Texas A&M Football Opponents, No. 3: LSU Tigers
It almost seems wrong to rank this game at third, but the Aggies’ upcoming two games are of paramount importance. Still, the LSU season finale game should not be overlooked by any stretch of the imagination.
In fact, I’d argue that this could turn out to be the Aggies’ toughest remaining opponent when you consider the circumstances.
Those circumstances revolve around Ed Orgeron’s agreement to depart from the program following their season finale. This means that the national championship-winning head coach will play his last game at his home stadium against Texas A&M.
That said, this is a 4-4 football team with an average offense and a bad defense. They are capable of knocking off ranked teams, as evident by their victory over Florida a week and a half ago, but nobody will mistake them for a contender. Their defense, in particular, is rough, ranking 90th in points per game, allowing nearly 30 per contest.
The Aggies should be considered a heavy favorite by the time this one rolls around, but A&M vs. LSU has “trap game” written all over it for Jimbo Fisher’s team. Again, this one doesn’t have the same implications as the two games that will follow, but it’s still a big one.
Texas A&M Football Opponents, No. 2: Auburn Tigers
If you take a step back, Auburn and Texas A&M are having relatively similar seasons. Both teams have two losses on the year, and after a midseason resurgence, have clawed their way back into the AP Top-25.
That said, if you take a closer look, these teams aren’t very similar at all. While Texas A&M’s losses came as a result of injuries and the loss of their starting quarterback, Auburn simply looks like a team that has a distinct ceiling. We’ll get a better look at this team when they take on Ole Miss this coming weekend.
As things stand, you have to give the edge to the Aggies, who are the significantly hotter team right now. But that’s not the question at hand. The question is in regards to the importance of this game.
This game is extremely important for Texas A&M, as an Aggie win would knock the Tigers one spot downwards in the conference standings. This would bring the Aggies one step closer to the top seed in the SEC West and one step closer to making it to the SEC Championship Game, which is still within reach.
That said, there’s a chance Auburn could lose even before the Aggies face them, which would make the next game even more vital.
Texas A&M Football Opponents, No. 1: Ole Miss Rebels
The Ole Miss Rebels are not the best team in the SEC. Heck, they may not even be the second-best team in the SEC. Still, they can take the honor of being one of the scariest teams in the entire country.
With a high-powered passing offense led by the best quarterback in college football in Matt Corral, any school would cower in fear at the thought of taking on Lane Kiffin’s team. And guess who is standing in Texas A&M’s path to the SEC Championship Game?
Thankfully, the Aggies’ strengths work perfectly against Ole Miss’s strengths. The Rebels play well through the air, and Texas A&M defends well through the air.
The Aggies have had a handful of hiccup games in terms of their passing defense, with Alabama serving as a strong example. Texas A&M allowed Bryce Young to pass for 369 yards and three touchdowns a few weeks ago. That said, this was arguably the Heisman candidate’s worst game of the season, posting his lowest passer rating of the year in College Station.
The Aggies aren’t going to stop Matt Corral — that’s a given — but there may not be a team that is better equipped to slow him down.
Texas A&M has to win this game if they want to hold onto any chance of making it to Atlanta this year. As things stand, Ole Miss is tied atop the SEC West with Alabama, with each team holding a single loss. The Rebels still have to play a ranked Auburn team, Texas A&M, and a feisty Mississippi State football team.
If Texas A&M can win this game, they’ll have done what they can.