The 2024 college football season will see multiple changes throughout the landscape. The realignment and expansion of the 12-team playoff structure will create much-needed parity. For Texas A&M, new head coach Mike Elko and his experienced team are looking to shock the doubters with a productive spring.
The Pac-12 has effectively disbanded outside of Oregon and Washington, but Oklahoma and Texas will officially leave the Big 12 in July to join the nation's toughest conference, while the Lone Star showdown between the Aggies While this was happening, the SEC expanded. And the Longhorns have been renewed for the first time in 13 seasons.
This offseason, Elko acquired 22 players through the transfer portal, building a team filled with veterans, especially on defense. That includes former Purdue edge Nick Skorton, who led the Big Ten in sacks during his freshman season. With redshirt sophomore quarterback Connor Weigman back from injury, there's a lot of pressure on the talented signal caller. Still, it will be difficult for the Aggies to significantly improve offensively unless the offensive line improves.
The pieces are in place, and most importantly, former head coach Jimbo Fisher's control over play-calling is over, allowing new OC Colin Klein to run the offense this offseason. . In the latest ESPN Preseason Top 25 Poll, Texas A&M was ranked 25th based primarily on the team's potential.
Our predictions change throughout the offseason, but here are our game-by-game predictions for Texas A&M's 2024 season.
Week 1: Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame
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How things turn out: The first meeting between the two programs since 2001 will see Notre Dame starting quarterback Riley Leonard, who was Mike Elko's quarterback at Duke the past two seasons, and Elko served as the program's defensive coordinator in 2017. Given that, it's only natural. On the field, Leonard just underwent his second ankle surgery this offseason, raising questions about his status through Aug. 31.
prediction: Texas A&M 24, Notre Dame 17
Texas A&M Records: 1-0
Week 2: Texas A&M vs. McNeese State University
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How things turn out: After defeating Notre Dame and capping Mike Elko's career as an Aggie coach with a key win, the visiting McNeese State Cowboys shouldn't be a problem, especially if Bullock holds up.
prediction: Texas A&M 42, McNeese State 10
Texas A&M Records: 2-0
Week 3: Texas A&M at Florida
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How things turn out: This is a problem because every SEC road game is a gauntlet. Even if the Gators are (on paper) poised to struggle due to lack of talent, they could easily surprise us all before the conference schedule reaches its climax. However, I already expect Connor Weigman to be dominant so far, so I agree with the Aggies.
prediction: Texas A&M 31, Florida 24
Texas A&M Records: 3-0
Week 4: Texas A&M vs. Bowling Green
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How things turn out: If A&M is 3-0 with wins over Notre Dame and Florida (on the road), it should have no problem playing a team with a better reputation but less talent at home.
prediction: Texas A&M 45, Bowling Green 7
Texas A&M Records: 4-0
Week 5: Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (AT&T Stadium)
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How things turn out: One-year rental OC Bobby Petrino returns to Arkansas in the same capacity, but this time he will actually control the offense and play-calling. With longtime starting QB KJ Jefferson transferring to USF, the Razorback defense will only improve slightly while rookie Taylen Green is presumed to be the starter. But even though they have won 11 of their last 12 games, these games are always suspenseful.
prediction: Texas A&M 21, Arkansas 18
Texas A&M Records: 5-0
Week 6: Texas A&M vs. Missouri
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How things turn out: This is when things get difficult. Missouri returns nearly its entire offensive starters, led by future first-round pick wide receiver Luther Burden III and quarterback Brady Cook, and is scheduled to visit Kyle Field in early October. . This month has consistently doomed the Aggies under the past two administrations. But under Elko's game management, Tiger's elite QB-WR duo, coupled with the offense continuing to improve, will result in a high-scoring battle that will hand the Aggies their first loss of the year. I expect it to be deaf.
prediction: Missouri 31, Texas A&M 28
Texas A&M Records: 5-1
Week 7: Texas A&M at Mississippi State.
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How things turn out: Texas A&M, which lost a close game to Missouri State last week, bounced back against a live Bulldogs team with a new coaching staff and is poised to remain in playoff contention despite playing on the road. There is. I expect A&M's defense to get the most out of Mississippi State's offensive line throughout the game.
prediction: Texas A&M 28, Mississippi State 17
Texas A&M Records: 6-1
Week 8: Texas A&M vs. LSU
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How things turn out: This rivalry has intensified since July OT in 2019, when the overtime rules as we know them today were changed. After losing to Jaden Daniels' Tigers in Baton Rouge in a surprisingly exciting matchup to close out the regular season, Daniels will head to the NFL and new quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will be at bat. LSU's defense was terrible last season, and I doubt it will be even better in 2024.
prediction: Texas A&M 31, LSU 21
Texas A&M Records: 7-1
Week 9: Texas A&M at South Carolina
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How things turn out: Good news for Texas A&M heading into Week 9, another opponent with a new quarterback. They maintain their playoff hopes at 7-1 and know that barring one loss in 2022, the Aggies have won the home and subsequent series. road. With momentum on his side, Elko looks to continue changing the narrative in early November.
prediction: Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 24
Texas A&M Records: 8-1
Week 10: Texas A&M vs. New Mexico State
New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Kordell David, 11, is injured during the first quarter as the Auburn Tigers play the New Mexico State Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama on Saturday, November. Catch a touchdown pass in the corner of the zone. .18, 2023.
How things turn out: Yes, this is the same team that upset Auburn in Jordan vs. Hair last season, but the head coach and quarterback who made it happen are both gone, and several key players have entered the transfer portal. Things don't go the Aggies' way for the Lobos, who have an 8-1 record heading into matches against Auburn and the Texas Longhorns.
prediction: Texas A&M 38, New Mexico State 13
Texas A&M Records: 9-1
Week 11: Texas A&M at Auburn
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How things turn out: This is a trap game, plain and simple. Honestly, the Tigers will improve offensively in 2024 after the beatdown the Aggies gave Auburn at Kyle Field last season (known as quarterback Connor Weigman's dismal loss of the season). It's planned. I look at this as a close battle with the field. Goal in favor of Auburn.
prediction: Auburn 20, Texas A&M 17
Texas A&M Records: 9-2
Week 12: Texas A&M vs. Texas
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How things turn out: The Lone Star Showdown is back, with the first matchup between Texas and Texas A&M taking place in College Station. In my opinion, both teams will be fighting for a playoff spot. Going into the game, I project him to go 10-1 with Texas riding the momentum. However, with a 10-2 season and a chance to defend home field at a packed Kyle Field, Connor Weigman's touchdown pass to Moose Muhammad III with just seconds left in the game would give the Maroons a chance to defend their home field. The transaction will be completed. & White.
prediction: Texas A&M 28, Texas 24
Texas A&M Records: 10-2 (6-2 seconds)
With a 10-2 record and a top-three finish in the SEC, the Aggies are expected to compete in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
