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Where Texas A&M's Playoff Projections Stand After Undefeated Start

From On3 to ESPN, here’s how national outlets are slotting Texas A&M in their latest playoff projections.
Diego Saenz|
Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Ar'maj Reed-Adams (55) celebrates with the Southwest Classic trophy after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Ar'maj Reed-Adams (55) celebrates with the Southwest Classic trophy after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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Texas A&M Aggies

With each passing week, Texas A&M’s College Football Playoff hopes feel more realistic following its 7–0 start.

The road ahead, though, is anything but easy. No. 20 LSU is in wounded animal mode and will host A&M at Death Valley on Saturday night, a place the Aggies haven’t won in over three decades. After that comes a much-needed bye week before another road trip, this time to Columbia to face No. 15 Missouri, which remains in the thick of the SEC title chase. And, of course, the long-awaited Lone Star Showdown to close out the regular season.

Still, it seems like every major sports outlet has Mike Elko’s program playing January football. Whether it be as a top four seed or at large bid, here is where the national media projects the Aggies to land among the playoff teams.

On3 Projects Aggies as a Top 4 Playoff Contender

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed.
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to pass the ball during the third quarter against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The folks at On3 have long been high on Mike Elko and the Aggies. That hype train has reached new heights of buzz this season after A&M’s undefeated start. 

Andy Staples projects the Aggies to finish as the No. 4 seed, earning a first-round bye and awaiting the winner of the No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 12 South Florida matchup.

If the Bulldogs were to advance, it would set up a historic clash in College Station. It would be Georgia’s first-ever trip to Kyle Field.

The type of scenes that would unfold under the lights would make it must-see television.

ESPN Doubles Down on Aggies as a True Title Threat

Texas A&M Aggies Cashius Howell
Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach both project Texas A&M as the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, slotted for the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. That would only be a 443 mile drive from College Station to “The Big Easy”.

Bonagura is slightly more bullish on the Aggies’ postseason run. He has No. 3 A&M knocking off No. 6 Georgia in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals against No. 2 Indiana at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where their season ultimately ends.

Schlabach, meanwhile, predicts a shorter stay for the Aggies, falling to No. 6 Oregon in the quarterfinals.

CBS Gives Aggies a Shot as the No. 8 Seed at Kyle Field

Home of the 12th Man.
A view of the stands and the fans and the 12th Man logo during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

CBS Sports isn’t quite as high as the other outlets, but still has Texas A&M in the playoff picture. Brad Crawford projects the Aggies as the No. 8 seed, setting up a first-round matchup against No. 9 Miami at Kyle Field. The winner takes on No. 1 Ohio State. 

If that scenario plays out, it would mark one of the most electric two-game stretches in program history.

Yahoo Projects No. 6 Aggies vs No. 11 Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) runs with the ball during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Yahoo Sports also slots Texas A&M in the playoff field, projecting the Aggies as the No. 6 seed hosting No. 11 Georgia Tech at Kyle Field.

“Texas A&M, meanwhile, looks more and more like an SEC contender every week,” wrote Nick Bromberg. “The Aggies’ offense didn’t miss a beat without RB Le’Veon Moss against Arkansas and now head to LSU in Week 9 to face a desperate Tigers team after LSU’s loss to Vanderbilt. If Texas A&M gets through that game, Aggies fans have every right to dream big.”

And just imagine, former Aggie quarterback Haynes King returning to College Station for a playoff showdown under the lights. Absolute cinema.

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Diego Saenz
DIEGO SAENZ

Diego Saenz is a junior Sport Management student at Texas A&M University, originally from Torreón, Mexico, and raised in Cedar Park, Texas. His passion for sports, especially fútbol and football, has been evident since a very young age. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching games, listening to podcasts, and spending time with friends.

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