This upcoming year will mark four years since the Saturday tradition of College Gameday has joined the Texas A&M football team in College Station. Last year presented a huge opportunity when Alabama came to town but the season had other plans for Texas A&M. College Gameday always brings a new level of excitement to the campus as students and alumni show off what makes their campus special and how rowdy they can get. This year is a different year but there are two games that stick out to me that could end the four-year.
9/17 vs Miami
This matchup will bring a lot of interest as Miami is either a team you love or you hate. This is also a big first test for Texas A&M. Neither team’s first few games look like too much of a challenge so both teams should be at Kyle Field undefeated and ready for a statement win. Texas A&M likely will be in the Top 10 while Miami will be in the Top 20. With Miami breaking in a new head coach and this being their first road game it will likely be a very difficult game for them. Miami and Texas A&M have each generated a lot of buzz this offseason so it only seems fitting to give them the spotlight.
Other games that weekend that will rival this one: Penn State @ Auburn, Oklahoma @ Nebraska, and Michigan State @ Washington.
10/29 vs Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin is building something special in Oxford. Looking at their schedule it isn’t too challenging before they arrive in College Station. Their tough games include Kentucky and Auburn at home and LSU on the road. I am going to assume they will be favorites in all 3 of those games but that LSU game may be a trap game as that comes the weekend before Texas A&M. But if they manage to get by undefeated I am willing to bet they will be in the Top 10. Texas A&M will have a tougher schedule playing on the road at Alabama, Mississippi State, and Arkansas (kind of a road game).
If Texas A&M can manage to go undefeated or at least go into that game with 1 loss they will likely be in the Top 10 as well. Depending on what Texas A&M does in the first half of the season this game could very much decide the West and or be a College Football Playoff elimination game for both teams if either of them comes in with one loss.
Other games that weekend that will rival this one: Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville), Michigan State @ Michigan, and Ohio State @ Penn State