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The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/usffan on 2025-08-05 13:45:14+00:00.
The cumulative link to the preseason rankings can be found here.
Yesterday the Coaches Poll came out, which you would think wouldn’t have had much of an impact on these aggregated rankings. You would be wrong. The margin between what had been #19 and Texas A&M (high = 8, low = 34) was sufficiently close that theoretically Kansas State passed them (which will be reflected in the aggregated rankings linked above). Seriously, the aggregated rankings now sit at an average of 18.86 vs. 18.82, so it might swing again when the AP rankings come out. Note that the Aggies were not ranked on 3 different rankings (CBS, the preseason USA Today or Bleacher Report) while K-State was ranked in all of them. Mike Elko steered the Aggies to an 8-5 season in 2024 that culminated in a last minute loss to USC in the Las Vegas Bowl in his inaugural season. Not for nothing, that was a worse first year than either of his two predecessors – Jimbo Fisher went 9-4 in his first year, while Kevin Sumlin went 11-2, both of whom were fired before the conclusion of their 6th seasons. We’ll have to check back in November of 2030 to see whether that’s a true barometer or not (cue the Remindme! bot).
Roster outlook
What bodes well for Elko is that the Aggies return the 6th most production in all of FBS, including ranking in the top 20 on both sides of the ball. QB Marcel Reed won the starting job last season over Connor Weigman, who GTFO’d to Houston after the season. Both of A&M’s top two RBs are also back (Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels), who combined for 1,400 yards rushing and 18 TDs. Reed will need some new receivers, though, as his top WR Noah Thomas took the midnight train to Georgia, Jahdae Walker signed with the Chicago Bears, Jabre Barber completed his eligibility and TE Tre Watson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. On defense, the Aggies return their top 2 tacklers (LB Taurean York, who also led the team in sacks) and S Dalton Brooks. While recruiting was not the problem for Jimbo, who famously had the top class in 2022, Elko has done a good job with this as well, tallying the 9th ranked class in the country to go with the 11th ranked portal class nationally as well. As I’ve mentioned previously, where that falls short is that both of those are still only good for the 6th best classes in the SEC. Still, there are some players who would be expected to have an immediate impact, including former Mississippi State WR Mario Craver, former NC State WR KC Concepcion (both 4 stars) and former Texas TE Amari Niblack, restocking the receiver room. On defense, Florida DE T. J. Searcy and Iowa State DL Tyler Onyedim, also both 4 stars, should bolster the line.
Schedule and outlook
Unlike last season, where the Aggies opened up with eventual national runner up Notre Dame, they’ll get a chance to have a proper preseason in 2025 by hosting UTSA and Utah State before traveling to South Bend for the back end of that home and home. They then get 3 straight games at Kyle Field to open SEC play, hosting Auburn, Mississippi State and Florida, before traveling to Fayetteville for the Southwest Classic. Honestly, they have an excellent chance of already being bowl eligible before their next game in Baton Rouge. Following a bye, they finish up going to Mizzou, hosting South Carolina, their SEC special game against Samford and then close out on Black Friday at Texas. With their 3 toughest opponents (including 2 conference games) on the road, it’s hard to imagine the Aggies playing in the SEC title game. But if they handle their business and perhaps win one of those road games, it’s hard to imagine a 10-2 Texas A&M not qualifying for the CFP. At 9-3 or worse, probably not.