ESPN just came out with their way-too-early top 25 teams for the 2026 college football season. The Texas A&M Aggies are No. 10 according to ESPN, and the fan base couldn't be any more pumped about the pieces Elko is bringing in.
The Aggies are coming off an 11-0 season, before they lost their last two games of the season to Texas and Miami. It was their first College Football Playoff appearance, and the Aggies are looking for much more after a disappointing ending. The loss stung at first, but Miami ultimately came up just short in the national championship against Indiana.
Their strength of schedule is strong, to say the least, as the Aggies will start the season with Arizona State after playing Missouri State. Sam Leavitt being at LSU will make a difference, but Kenny Dillingham will have his guys ready, no doubt. The rest is the SEC. Half of those are ranked teams.
Texas A&M will have a tough strength of schedule in 2026
The SEC schedule and Arizona State will be a strong enough schedule for A&M to make its case for another CFP appearance.
The bad news is that Texas A&M rolled through its schedule last season without Alabama, Oklahoma, or Tennessee. The Aggies had some problems with the Crimson Tide back in the day, only going 2-13 against Alabama in history. Kalen DeBoer hasn't wowed Alabama fans like he's been able to in the past, so this is anybody's game.
Oklahoma and Texas A&M haven't played since Johnny Manziel crushed the Sooners in early 2013. The Aggies will have to worry about LSU and Lane Kiffin, but they will play inside Kyle this season. Another season of Arch Manning almost seems like the "third time is the charm," but Texas has a bunch of position issues to solve, too.
The Aggies may be able to get away with two losses in this schedule, but if they do better than that, they will no doubt have a spot in the College Football Playoff.