We’ve reached the early part of the 2026 offseason for Texas A&M, and while third-year coach Mike Elko continues to make his annual Coaches Night appearance at the various A&M Clubs in Texas, those of us who cover the Aggies have veered our focus to the first half of the 2026 regular season, including four key SEC matchups that will prove how much the program has progressed since the spring season.
After reaching 11-0 for the first time in over 30 seasons, the Aggies failed to end the season on a high note, losing to the Texas Longhorns in Austin to end the regular season, and after making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, Texas A&M failed to score a touchdown against Miami in Kyle Field, falling 10-3 in the first round.
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After adding 17 players from the transfer portal, paired with 26 signees from the 2026 recruiting class, Texas A&M’s revamped roster features more depth at key positions, including Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton, whose 6’4″ frame pairs well with junior star wideout Mario Craver’s track speed and NFL-level route running prowess.
Replacing unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell will be a challenge, but Elko’s development plan for sophomore edge Marco Jones and the addition of former Northwestern edge Anto Saka, on paper, looks like a potential upgrade given their size, speed, and NFL potential.
Redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed enters his second full season as the starter, and after two seasons under former OC Collin Klein, Holmon Wiggins has taken over as the offensive coordinator/ play-caller, while first-year QB coach Joey Lynch has known Reed since his high school playing days.
Texas A&M’s first six games of the 2026 season include Missouri State, Arizona State, and Kentucky at home, followed by LSU on the road, Arkansas at home, and Missouri on the road. Here is how Aggies Wire sees all six games shaking out.
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Texas A&M vs. Missouri State — Sept. 5
Michael Gulledge/Special to the News-Leader, Michael Gulledge/Special to the News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Prediction: Texas A&M 42, Missouri State 10
Analysis: Texas A&M’s season opener will unveil new OC Holmon Wiggins’ game plan, starting with a more balanced rushing attack and four new offensive line starters that look to control the line of scrimmage. I predict a blowout based on a stark talent differential.
Texas A&M vs. Arizona State — Sept. 12
Arizona State football players takes the field before facing Duke in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Prediction: Texas A&M 28, Arizona State 21
Analysis: Former Kentucky QB Cutter Boley is now leading the Sun Devils as HC Kenny Dillingham looks to develop another underrated signal caller, and will look to pull off the early upset in Kyle Field. However, faced with an experienced QB on the other side, look for Marcel Reed to make big plays late, while Texas A&M’s new look pass rush aims to keep Boley contained in the pocket.
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Texas A&M vs. Kentucky — Sept. 19
Prediction: Texas A&M 35, Kentucky 17
Analysis: Kentucky is now led by a first-year HC and former Oregon OC Will Stein, who looks to shock the SEC and field one of the conference’s surprise offenses, which now includes former Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey. Still, while the Wildcats will likely increase their 2025 scoring average, I trust Texas A&M’s offense to take over in the second half, with the new-look Aggie secondary forcing a couple of interceptions.
Texas A&M at LSU — Sept. 26
Dec 1, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU president Wade Rousse, left, LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry stand together at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Prediction: LSU 24, Texas A&M 21
Analysis: Lane Kiffin has owned the Aggies, but that was under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. The bottom line, I can easily see this Texas A&M roster pulling off the upset for the second consecutive season after blowing out the Tigers in 2025, but if LSU’s transfer-led roster gels early, a close loss that could come down to a field goal looks like the likely outcome, for now.
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Texas A&M vs. Arkansas — Oct. 3
Oct 18, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) passes in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Prediction: Texas A&M 45, Arkansas 20
Analysis: I don’t expect this to be a close game, especially since new head coach Ryan Silverand will be installing a new quarterback after Taylen Green, who has given the Aggies plenty of headaches over the past two seasons, departed for the NFL. This matchup has home blowout written all over it.
Texas A&M at Missouri — Oct. 10
Nov 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy (29) rushes during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Prediction: Texas A&M 24, Missouri 17
Analysis: Former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons is now leading the Tigers, while star running back Ahmad Hardy’s offseason injury will be something to monitor by this time. After defeating Missouri in Columbia last season, I fully expect the Aggies to rebound from their predicted close loss to LSU and pull off the win, led by the Aggie defense stepping up on the road.
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Predicted record through six games: 5-1
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Predicting Texas A&M football’s record through its first six games
