Paul Finebaum Names SEC Contender That Won’t Win 10 Games originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the college football offseason unfolds, numerous predictions for the upcoming season emerge. These predictions range from forecasts about the national championship to expectations about team records.
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Paul Finebaum, a prominent figure in the sport, is known for his willingness to share predictions related to college football. On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” he was asked about his expectations for the Texas A&M Aggies’ record in Year 2 under head coach Mike Elko.
A caller expressed optimism that the Aggies could achieve nine wins this season. However, the Aggies face one of the tougher schedules in the SEC, as noted by Athlon Sports. They have a few challenging road games against Notre Dame, LSU, Missouri and Texas, along with difficult home games against Auburn, Florida and South Carolina.
Finebaum indicated that he believes nine wins are indeed possible for the Aggies.
Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike ElkoKirby Lee-Imagn Images
“I think nine is the number,” Finebaum said.
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Many people are optimistic about the Aggies’ upcoming season. Recently, ESPN’s Greg McElroy stated that he believes Texas A&M is a legitimate contender in the SEC. Although he anticipates some pushback for this opinion, he points out that Texas A&M is one of the few teams returning its starting quarterback and expects a significant improvement in Year 2 under head coach Mike Elko.
The returning quarterback is Marcel Reed, who stepped in for starter Connor Weigman. Last season, Reed threw for 1,864 yards, completed 15 touchdown passes and had six interceptions. Additionally, he showcased his impressive running ability, rushing for 543 yards and scoring seven touchdowns with an average of 4.7 yards per carry.
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) also holds the Aggies in high regard, ranking them as the No. 4 team in the SEC this season, behind the Texas Longhorns, Georgia Bulldogs, and Alabama Crimson Tide.
While nine wins may seem modest for a true contender, it’s worth noting that Texas A&M would have qualified for the SEC championship last season with nine wins. Instead, they finished with an 8-5 record. If they had won against Texas in their final game, they would have advanced to Atlanta to compete for the conference title.
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The Aggies are set to open the season against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners on Aug. 30 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Related: Greg McElroy Points Out Why One Sleeper in the SEC Might Fall Short
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
