The excitement for the 2026 college football season is palpable as Texas A&M prepares to kick off its campaign this weekend. Under the leadership of head coach Mike Elko, who is entering his third season, the Aggies are coming off a historic achievement: their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. With heightened expectations, Elko's team aims to build on that success as they face a challenging schedule.
This season marks a significant change in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), as teams will now compete in nine conference games. This adjustment could lead to a rise in the number of teams finishing with records of 9-3 or 8-4, which may complicate the College Football Playoff Selection Committee's decisions. For Texas A&M, crucial away games against formidable opponents such as LSU, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma will play a pivotal role in determining their postseason fate.
During a recent appearance on the Aggie Football Hour, Mike Elko expressed confidence in his revamped roster, which consists of 65% returning players from the 2025 season, 17 new additions from the transfer portal, and a promising signing class for 2026. Elko highlighted the progress made during the preseason, particularly praising the development of redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed, who has shown improved performance and chemistry with a deep rotation of wide receivers. This depth across nearly all positions is expected to enhance Texas A&M's performance as the season unfolds.
Elko took the opportunity to discuss various aspects of his team during the show. He praised Texas A&M's defensive line coach, Elijah Robinson, stating, "When it started to be clear that he wanted to be a D-Line coach again, it was a huge priority for us to go and get him." This underscores the importance of a strong defensive front as the Aggies prepare for their season opener against Missouri State on Saturday night.
On the defensive side, Elko expressed satisfaction with the team's secondary, saying, "I am really happy with what we have back there." However, he acknowledged the need for improvement in creating turnovers, emphasizing the importance of focus and concentration in making plays. He noted, "We have to do a better job of focusing, concentrating and catching the football. As coaches, we also have to put them in better positions."
Elko also provided insight into the progress of starting quarterback Marcel Reed, stating, "I am glad he is our quarterback. We believe in him. We believe in what he’s capable of... he’s a really, really talented player." He praised Reed's ability to perform under pressure, highlighting his "clutch gene" that can make a difference in critical moments.
Additionally, Elko spoke highly of transfer linebacker Ray Coney, noting his adaptability and improvement since joining the team. He remarked, "Ray Coney has been really, really good... he did an unbelievable job of adapting. It really started to show up this summer in OTAs." Furthermore, he confirmed that junior wide receiver Terry Bussey has displayed elite performance during fall camp, stating, "You have seen a much more explosive version of himself in fall camp."
As the Aggies gear up for the season, Elko emphasized the team's new motto: focus and urgency. He acknowledged that there were moments last season when the team lacked these qualities, stating, "There were too many times last year where we felt like that urgency and focus wasn’t where it needed to be." He reiterated the importance of taking the season one game at a time, emphasizing the significance of each of the twelve Saturdays ahead, starting with their matchup at Kyle Field this weekend.
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