Let's get bold this Friday afternoon and try to predict some of the more obscure, but possible, outcomes for the Texas A&M Aggies in head coach Mike Elko's second season with the program.
Marcel Reed finishes the game with five total touchdowns
It's a big year for the rising sophomore quarterback, who's fully in the driver's seat this go-around after finding himself in and out of the starting lineup throughout the 2024 season. His athletic ability has left no doubt to the impact he can make running the football, but now we're all looking to see how his passing game develops if he's to turn into one of the more potent dual-threat players in the sport.
So let's get the hype train started early — five total touchdowns for Reed with at least two of them coming on the ground, and at least one passing score of 30-plus yards. His full talents will be on display in this one, and show promise for what's to come.
Texas A&M rushing attack goes for 250 yards
We can all agree that the Aggies' rushing unit is one of the best in the sport, so it should be no surprise to see this group put up big numbers in this season-opening battle against a solid, but exploitable G5 opponent.
Last year's Aggies averaged 185 yards per game on the ground — 30th in the nation — despite injuries to two of their best backs at various points of the year, and half a season without a prolific rusher out of the quarterback position. With Reed under center full-time and the healthy returns of Le'Veon Moss and Rueben Owens, there should be no stopping this Aggies' ground game on Saturday and I think they'll get one of their strongest offensive outputs we'll see all season.
KC Concepcion grabs eight balls in his Aggie debut
One of the more anticipated storylines for A&M this season is the addition of a true leading target out wide in KC Concepcion. The former ACC Rookie of the Year has looked great through fall camp, and now it's time for us to see things take form in live action.
Concepcion has hit the eight-reception mark just thrice in his young career, highlighted by a nine-catch game in last year's season opener for North Carolina State. I think the Aggies' receiving room is a little more rounded out than what he had alongside him last season, so I don't think we'll top that number, but I think eight would be a more than impressive start for the third-year player and make us all feel really strong about the Texas A&M passing attack as we get into a new season.
Bonus prediction: Concepcion hauls in two scores this Saturday.
Texas A&M's defensive front notches six total sacks
Let's flip over to the defense where I do believe A&M's defensive front has its work cut out for them against a really experienced Roadrunner offensive line, especially after having to replace three starters from the 2024 season. All that considered, the Aggies should still have a pretty significant talent edge in this one; and the style of this game should play into a high sack total.
If the Aggies' offense is doing its job then UTSA will need to stay aggressive throwing the football in order to keep pace, and let's not forget that this was one of the more pass-happy offenses from a season ago that returns a lot of the same personnel. Elko's group hit this total just once last season in its game against Missouri, and I'll say they waste no time matching that number in 2025.
The Aggies' secondary hauls in two interceptions
Last but not least, let's show some love to the back end of this defense, a group that I think will haul in at least two picks on Saturday evening.
This plays out just like our bold prediction for the front seven: If the Roadrunners are having to chuck the ball across the yard to stay competitive, that leaves plenty of opportunities for these corners and safeties to make plays. UTSA starting quarterback Owen McCown threw 10 picks last season, one of the higher totals in the nation, and I think he'll pick up right where he left off by giving two freebies away to the Aggies.