There are few things in life better than football's annual return, and we're just three days away from Texas A&M's season opener against the UTSA Roadrunners.
The Aggies open as huge favorites in this one, with Vegas setting the point spread at -24.5, but the fact that an easy win may be on the horizon doesn't mean there aren't things we can learn about this team and apply for the rest of their 2025 campaign. So while you're kicked back on your couch and tuning in on ESPN, these three storylines stand above the rest:
The development of the intermediate-deep passing attack
One of the more beneficial parts of a tune-up game is the ability to take more chances or risks than you would in the middle of a grueling SEC schedule. This game should be a great opportunity to see how the new-look passing game, specifically the connection between Marcel Reed and his new targets, gels early on.
The additions made out wide are certainly an upgrade on paper, and reports from fall camp echo that belief, but a prolific passing attack goes beyond practice reps or names on a piece of paper. The timing, play-calling and rhythm of the offense are things that can only be fully put together in live action, so seeing Reed hit KC Concepcion in stride or finding Craver on a deep post route will be a positive sign in this team's offensive development.
The health of the running back room
Texas A&M will be nothing this season without the health and strength of its running back room, which makes the season debuts of both Le'Veon Moss and Rueben Owens incredibly important to pay attention to.
Owens made his return to the turf late into the 2024 regular season after a Lisfranc fracture caused him to miss four months of action. While there is expected to be no issue this far removed from his initial injury, having him back at full strength is paramount— and especially so if Moss takes longer to return to his truest form. Last year's leading rusher for the Aggies suffered a torn ACL and MCL in November, but has fully recovered and enters 2025 with no injury limitations.
Seeing this duo back in action is exciting enough, but if either (or both) can break off explosive runs or highlight plays then it will be a sign of great things to come for this Aggie offense.
The competency of the defense
There are a fair number of new starters on this Texas A&M defense so it's tough to compare last year's group to this present one, however the same issue that plagued this unit all last season is the same thing I'm going to be watching for Saturday evening— their communication.
Blown coverages and missed tackles really hurt the Aggies' defense down the stretch, and they finished the season with one of the worst explosive play rates in the nation. One of the bigger focal points of this offseason was Mike Elko tightening his group around the defense and ensuring these mental lapses were left in the past, so it'll be important to note how this group handles both the deep passing game from UTSA and the ability to bring down the Roadrunners' playmakers in space.