Editor’s note: This is one of a series of college football previews by The Dallas Express.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
2022 SEASON: 5-7 (2-6 in SEC), no bowl game
Texas A&M was one of the biggest flops in college football last season, beginning the year ranked No.6 in the nation and ending it unranked with a losing record and failing to reach bowl eligibility.
The Aggies got off to a 3-1 start, but a loss to Appalachian State at home, followed by two wins over ranked opponents, had many questioning how good the team actually was. That question was answered in SEC play, as A&M stumbled to a 1-6 start with four losses coming by less than a touchdown.
A&M also played three different starting quarterbacks, hindering any continuity that could have been built throughout the season, as its offense averaged just 22.8 points per game. The Aggies finished the year with back-to-back wins, including an upset of No.6 LSU.
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2023: Preseason Rank: Coaches – 25, AP – 23.
WHAT’S NEW
Texas A&M made headlines for the number of players leaving the program in the offseason. Stars like Devon Achane and Antonio Johnson have left for the NFL, while 31 other players departed via the transfer portal, including defensive backs Myles Jones and Brian George.
While the defense remains an experienced and talented group, and several playmakers return on offense, the starting quarterback for the season has yet to be determined as Max Johnson and Conner Weigman, both of whom started games last season, continue to fight it out for the role.
The Aggies also welcome a top-15 recruiting class of 19 players, highlighted by five-stars DJ Hicks and Reuben Owens, and 13 transfers, led by former NorthCarolina cornerback Tony Grimes.
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2023 SCHEDULE
Sep 2 (Sat) 6 p.m. CT New Mexico
Sep 9 (Sat) 2:30 p.m. CT at Miami (FL)
Sep 16 (Sat) 3 p.m. CT vs Louisiana-Monroe
Sep 23 (Sat) vs Auburn
Sep 30 (Sat) vs Arkansas, Southwest Classic, Arlington, Texas AT&T Stadium
Oct 7 (Sat) vs Alabama
Oct 14 (Sat) at Tennessee
Oct 28 (Sat) vs South Carolina
Nov 4 (Sat) at Ole Miss
Nov 11 (Sat) vs Mississippi State
Nov 18 (Sat) 11 a.m. CT vs Abilene Christian
Nov 25 (Sat) at LSU
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PLAYER TO WATCH
WR Ainias Smith
Smith is one of the most electric players in college football when he is healthy and the top NFL-eligible prospect on the offensive side of the ball. The senior has been among the team’s receiving leaders in most seasons and is also a lethal weapon as a kick returner. If he can return from a season-ending injury with the same burst and knack for making plays, he will improve the offense immediately.
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FRESHMAN TO WATCH
RB Reuben Owens
With the departure of Devon Achane, the starting running back spot is wide open. Owens joins the team as the No.2 running back recruit in the country and the No.4 overall player from the state of Texas after rushing for 7,089 yards and 101 touchdowns as a high schooler. While others may begin the season ahead of him on the depth chart, do not be surprised to see his workload increase as the season progresses.
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BREAKOUT CANDIDATE
WR Jahdae Walker
The transfer from Division II Grand Valley State was a highly recruited prospect once he entered the portal, receiving offers from Michigan State, BYU, Kentucky, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Mississippi State, Colorado, and others. The junior was first-team All-GLIAC (Great Lake Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) last season with 623 yards and four touchdowns and brings a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and speed to the receiver position.
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WHY CAN THEY CONTEND?
A&M always has a great defense that makes it a difficult task for any opponent. With several members of last year’s unit returning and quality transfers coming in, the Aggies’ defense should once again be a strength that makes them competitive in many games. A&M lost most of its games by small margins last season, and sometimes the smallest changes can fix those issues, making the Aggies an even more difficult team to beat.
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OBSTACLES
The SEC is loaded, and Texas A&M plays a difficult schedule in conference play. You never know when upsets will happen, but many of their conference matchups look like close losses at best. The offense needs to step it up and score more than the 22.8 points per game from a year ago and find more explosive plays and playmakers. With so many players leaving the program, it could take a while for the team to gel, but a fast start will be vital to an improved season with the Aggies’ schedule down the stretch.
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2023 Prediction
Record: 6-6
Bowl: Las Vegas Bowl
Texas A&M starts the season ranked but needs to prove it has made the necessary adjustments. With the quarterback competition still going, it is difficult to predict what the Aggies will look like once they take the field, but their schedule does not get particularly challenging until conference play, so they should at least make a bowl game — an improvement over last season.
