Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) faces its toughest challenge of the year just a week after losing to Auburn on the road in quadruple overtime. While the loss to the Tigers initially eliminated the Aggies from contending for a spot in the SEC Championship game, Alabama’s shocking loss to Oklahoma on the same night created a “win and you’re in” scenario ahead of facing the Texas Longhorns on Saturday night.
This will be the first meeting between the Aggies and the Longhorns since the 2013 season, and head coach Mike Elko is well aware of the matchup’s importance beyond the obvious postseason implications.
“When I got hired and you knew this was going to be the last weekend of the year, there was the expectation that this was going to be a really tough ticket.”
“Now that it’s GameDay, primetime for a shot in Atlanta, I think the ticket prices probably match the demand for getting in the building… Let’s fill this place with Aggies and make sure this place is what we know it can be.”
Facing one of the top passing offenses and the 2nd-ranked passing defense in the country, Texas A&M starting quarterback Marcel Reed must utilize his legs. In contrast, a nearly flawless performance through the air against the Longhorn’s top cornerbacks might be needed. However, A&M’s pass rush needs to increase compared to what we’ve seen over the last three weeks.
Ahead of the Saturday night showdown, here are our official staff predictions for Texas A&M vs. Texas. Let the games begin!
Cameron Ohnysty — Lead Writer
John Reed-Imagn Images
We’ve made it. No. 20 Texas A&M will host the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in a game with enormous postseason implications for the three-loss Aggies. While Texas is likely guaranteed a spot in the CFP, A&M will need to win Saturday to make it to the SEC Championship and defeat Georgia for the automatic bid.
This is a very tall task based on what we’ve seen from the 10-1 Longhorns on both sides of the ball, as QB Quinn Ewers has his weaknesses, but plenty of firepower in the receiving corps, while Texas’s elite secondary and consistent pass rush has limited opposing offenses to more than 20 points just twice this season.
However, Texas A&M is at home in front of a likely sold-out Kyle Field that should be the loudest it’s been all season. Given the lack of success on the road for nearly every SEC program, the Aggies should be able to feed off the 12th Man and take advantage of QB Quinn Ewers’ lack of mobility in the pocket, only if A&M’s pass rush shows up.
For this to happen, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed will need to have the game of his life, which he is certainly capable of based on his continued improvement over the last two games.
Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko during warm ups before Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
There is no other way to put it, except unless Texas A&M pulls off some Kyle Field Magic or the Texas Longhorns have a bad night.
I’m expecting an Aggie loss to close out the season. I have not seen enough consistent progress from the A&M offense to think they can outscore the Longhorns if needed. The same goes for the defense. Stopping the run and giving up the big play has been issues plaguing them in their last two SEC losses.
Kyle Field will be rocking, and with all the stakes, there is no better game for an SEC championship spot. I have no clue how the game will play out, but I’m expecting Texas to win big, taking home bragging rights for the first SEC win in the series and the first to make it to an SEC championship game.
Shaun Holkko
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Auburn Tigers lead Texas A&M Aggies 21-7 at halftime.
This is it for the Texas A&M football team — win or stay home.
The No. 19 Aggies (8-3, 5-2 SEC) host their bitter rival, No. 3 Texas (10-1, 6-1), on Saturday evening at Kyle Field. After suffering consecutive conference road losses, Texas A&M’s only shot of making it to the first-ever expanded College Football Playoff is by upsetting the Longhorns.
Aggies redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed put it perfectly Monday when he was asked by the media about the upcoming Lone Star Showdown.
“The mindset for me and the team is that we’re in the playoffs now,” Reed said. “A lot of people are waiting for this 12-team playoff bracket to drop. We’re in it now.
“It’s win or go home.”
With some help from the 12th Man, Texas A&M will find a way to win this weekend and officially enter the CFP debate. By beating the third-ranked Longhorns, the Aggies could sneak into the postseason as a No. 11 or 12 seed
Game Time, Broadcast Information
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Game Date: Saturday, Nov. 30
Game Time: 6:30 p.m. CT.
Broadcast: ABC
Final Game Prediction
Thomas Campbell-US Presswire
Texas 28, Texas A&M 26
