What's everyone's thoughts. We had a year in which Elko played a notable hand in two recruiting classes (transfer + HS), redid our staff (especially our coordinators) and changed our recruiting (less on talent, more on what he calls a fit or perhaps alternatively the "do more with less" view our AD spoke about).

Not sure if we will be upgrading any positions next year for sure. You can argue our QB situation will improve along with the RBs (assuming Moss, Owens are 100%) but both lines (offense, defense), the receiving core, etc can easily drop off next year depending on your views and what we picku. Will we have more wins next year?

Entire offense will be better but could use another WR (especially if Hudson doesn't return) and maybe a pass catching TE.

Defense still needs help with DT but the secondary should be improved (not hard to do) and LB will be no worse. DL has some solid to very good DE but as I first said we need DT.

I will not predict wins/loses until the spring portal is done but I feel really good about the offense and concerns with the defense.

Compared to before the LSU game, or after? Couldn't have been more MIA after.

Our O-line is going to improve. We didn't lose any starters. Only one that might leave is Zhun.

I think Offense will improve.
Defense, I think the pass defense will improve, not sure about the run defense though. Run defense may be worse.

The best expectation is having no expectation because WE.ARE.AGGIES.

DTuba said:

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Our O-line is going to improve. We didn't lose any starters. Only one that might leave is Zhun.

I think Offense will improve.
Defense, I think the pass defense will improve, not sure about the run defense though. Run defense may be worse.

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Zuhn is nowhere near getting drafted… his average draft ranking is close to 400! The draft is like 250 spots… https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/players/2025/trey-zuhn-iii

We also will get Chappell back.

True on the away games.

Let's also keep this is mind. The SEC isn't the same caliber conference it was a few years ago during Jimbo's time in which two SEC West teams would battle it out for the natty or when it was an East/West match-up for the titles with the SEC teams winning all the bowl games. Our leaders use to blow out the teams from other conferences for years.

We dropped off notably as other teams stepped up and other conferences stepped up (especially the big ten who is now king).

I view our schedule as more winnable as a result of the SEC being less dominant (look at how many ranked times we had that were all overrated).

For the past 3 decades since we left the SWC and weren't guaranteed 8+ wins by just showing up we usually average a 10+ win season once per decade. We haven't hit that yet in this decade so pass the Kool aid!!!!!

vander54 said:

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Entire offense will be better but could use another WR (especially if Hudson doesn't return) and maybe a pass catching TE.

Defense still needs help with DT but the secondary should be improved (not hard to do) and LB will be no worse. DL has some solid to very good DE but as I first said we need DT.

I will not predict wins/loses until the spring portal is done but I feel really good about the offense and concerns with the defense.

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What's this "if Hudson doesn't return"??

He's stepping away from football to handle some personal stuff.

He's still enrolled and going to classes

vander54 said:

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He's stepping away from football to handle some personal stuff.

He's still enrolled and going to classes

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Right on, thx.
Just saw the other thread. Playing catch up, apparently

SA68AG said:

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Down. D-line is going to be much worse.

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We certainly shouldn't have this big of concerns on the DL and defense as a whole under Elko, but something's gotta be done in the portal.

Whoever good becomes available is going to go for a very high bidding price. Hope our boys are ready.

Next year, we will have a tougher home/away split because our toughest games against Notre Dame, LSU, Missouri, and Texas will all be on the road instead of at home. We will play a true road game at Arkansas for the first time since 2013 and at LSU the very next week. Also, our schedule is very unbalanced with 3 straight SEC home games (Auburn on 9/27, Mississippi State on 10/4, and Florida on 10/11) before a stretch of 3 SEC road games in 4 weeks (Arkansas on 10/18, LSU on 10/25, 2nd bye week and Missouri on 11/8). With that schedule, I think we will have a floor of 7-5 and a ceiling of 9-3 with likely road losses at Notre Dame, LSU, and Texas. The 5 road games at Notre Dame, Arkansas, Missouri, LSU, and Texas will make or break our season.

It all depends on Elko

Do we quit trying to run up the middle repeatedly when we know our oline will be stuffed

Will we rotate substitute players in when our starters loaf & show zero interest in being on the field

Will we have a pulse when we play November conference games


Does our dline improve in spite of the non performing talent that has left


Will our secondary be taught how to play zone coverage

Will our defense know how to set an edge


Will our defense know how to wrap up a tackle





We are a long way away from being a good football team.... If I was betting I'd say we drop to 6-6 or 7-5. Hope I'm wrong

I'm still waiting to see if Tommy Moffitt has improved our player's S&C. Jurors still out.

Next yr will be tougher due to schedule, team deficiencies at several spots and other teams improving faster than we are.

We are lacking serious, experienced DT depth (rotational) and missed on several portal DTs and did not get traction with the ones who were upper echelon (as slim portal pickens). Will have to insert a couple of fish DTs and usually not a winning formula (kids will have potential and upside, but will be overmatched in SEC as not developed).

If we couldn't play zone last year nor cover, it's not fixed overnight regardless of who is brought in. Lots of work and who knows w Chappell getting back to being 100% the same player (coming back from injury).

Wr corps better on paper, but will need some unproven players to prove their HS hype (incl Hudson if he comes back).

TEs are lacking a true pass catching threat that is a mainstay for a CK offense (Theo is not it as very inconsistent in blocking, route running and catching).

RB room lacking a bruising back up to Moss as no guarantee he returns to same pre injury form (one can hope, but only time will tell).

We will win spring game and inject some Texags false hope as someone will look good that many will incorrectly anoint as the saving player of the upcoming season.

We are a QB away from making the playoffs. Maybe OC but idk for sure on that, assuming Klein/elko hire passing-coordinator analysts.

I don't see any reason to assume we'll be much better with the same DC and a weaker defensive line. The schedule is also more difficult so one would think we'd probably be in the 7-5, 8-4 range.

I think the first half of the season showed what we are capable of

and the second half of the season showed the roster deficiencies in talent and depth.

I believe Elko has the right skills and intelligence to fix all that.
TBD if he can build a staff to accomplish what he wants to do
and if he and the staff can recruit what is needed.

I'm 60% positive in Elko, but I'm also still flabbergasted how badly Jimbo messed up a program on the verge after the 2020 season

Down. The school didn't invest in a good coach and isn't paying players enough. Diehard fan and 2001 grad here (3rd generation Ag and my daughter is a current student), but I'm done with BAS. Wake me up when they do it the right way and I'll donate. They're too lazy to even court highly successful alums. Pretty messed up that Georgetown (where I got my law degree) won't leave me alone, but not even a cold call from A&M.

Probably not going anywhere, same as always.

We're cursed. Accept it, save money then go ball's to the wall in 2039 and see if the football Gods will accept 100 years of mediocrity as sacrifice.

Jawn Dough said:

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The best expectation is having no expectation because WE.ARE.AGGIES.

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"The days in which my gratitude exceeds my expectations, I have good days."

Ray Wylie Hubbard

SA68AG said:

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Down. D-line is going to be much worse.

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It wasn't great last year!

Kline and Bateman are average at best. We saw the decline as the season went on. Neither seemed to have any answers in games we lost in November. I would venture to say A&M's fortunes are slipping greatly.