Texas A&M Football 2025 Season Preview: Questions and Predictions with Josh Pate

Texas A&M's 2025 Season Outlook

• 🎯 The 2025 season for Texas A&M under Mike Elko is approached with optimism, but significant questions remain, especially after a near-SEC Championship appearance in the previous year.
• 📈 Historically, Texas A&M has been consistently average since 2013, averaging around seven to eight wins per season, with an over/under win total of seven and a half for the upcoming year.

Defensive Improvement Under Elko

• 🔬 A key question is whether Texas A&M will see a significant defensive jump in year two under Mike Elko, who is known for his developmental abilities.
• 📊 The team ranked 63rd in yards per game allowed and 90th in pass yards per game allowed, highlighting the need for improvement in pass rush and defensive backs.

Quarterback Development: Marcel Reed

• ⚡ The development of quarterback Marcel Reed is another major focus, with potential for his mobile threat and deep ball accuracy to be more consistently impactful.
• 📈 Improvements are expected in the intermediate and underneath passing game, areas where Reed is anticipated to show growth from year one to year two.

Team's Competitive Character and Physicality

• 🧠 The coaching staff is expected to demand a high level of physicality and a throwback brand of football over an entire season, testing the team's competitive character.
• ⚠️ This demanding style will be a true test of mental fortitude, especially in late-season games when players are physically depleted.

Key Players and Schedule Analysis

• 🏃 The running back position, with Le'Veon Moss and Ruben Owens, is considered a potential strength if healthy, closely followed by the offensive line.
• 🌟 Cashes Howell is identified as a potential breakout player, with the potential to be one of the best edge players in the country if unleashed.
• 🗓️ Texas A&M faces the 10th-toughest schedule in the country, with four of their toughest five games on the road, including a critical Week 3 matchup at Notre Dame.

Performance Projections

• 📊 Internal models suggest a high variance for Texas A&M, with a best-case scenario of 11-1 and a potential floor of 5-7, though the most likely outcome is projected at 9-3.