Texas A&M's Non-Conference Slate: Why These Games Matter More Than You Think

The Texas A&M Aggies have one of the toughest SEC schedules in the conference, facing a number of teams that will be contenders not just for the SEC championship, but a few that could also find themselves in the national championship.

While the Aggies' non-conference slate doesn't pack the same punch in terms of competitiveness or marquee matchups, Texas A&M undoubtedly outmatches its three non-conference opponents; every game has to be won on the field and not on paper.

The Aggies square off against the Missouri State Bears to open the season, followed by the Arizona State Sun Devils, who should be the biggest challenge of the non-conference slate, and then a midseason game against The Citadel. While no matchup immediately sticks out as difficult, the slate should set up Texas A&M for its toughest challenges of the season.

Texas A&M's Non-conference Opponents Come at Important Points in the Season

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko reacts to a call during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Aggies will open the season against Missouri State, where, although Texas A&M has more than enough talent to overpower its opponents, Week 1 will serve as a game for head coach Mike Elko and his squad to iron out any wrinkles that are left coming out of Fall Camp.

Elko still looks to solidify his offensive line, as the unit only brings back one returning member from a season ago, which was one of the Aggies' biggest needs heading into the offseason. As well as making sure a new-look defense is playing up to the standard that it should, and allowing the new coordinators to get a game under their belts.

The September 5 opener allows the Aggies and Elko to get their first official look at the squad and a chance to evaluate the changes they made over the offseason.

The Week 2 matchup against the Sun Devils should be the toughest one of the three after Arizona State comes off an 8-5 season and is two seasons removed from a Big 12 title and a trip to the College Football Playoff.

The Sun Devils are in a major transition year after losing several key players from a year ago; however, when head coach Kenny Dillingham's squad rolls into College Station on September 12, the Aggies will have to be ready.

Arizona State has been in big games recently under Dillingham, and the Aggies, who could still be trying to figure some things out, will need to be ready to go as they open SEC play a week after against the Kentucky Wildcats, and a clash against the LSU Tigers awaits a week later.

The final non-conference game for the Aggies this season comes against The Citadel around the midway point of the season on Oct 17.

While no game could ever be considered an easy win, Texas A&M should have no trouble against The Citadel, which should give the Aggies a break in the middle of their grueling nine-game schedule.

And the game against The Citadel comes at an important time for the Aggies and could serve as a reset game with a daunting final five-game schedule after October 17. After the game, Texas A&M will have to face Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Texas, allowing the final non-conference game to be a turning point in the Aggies' schedule.

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