Elko's Aggies face tough challenge against ASU

The open-book test was aced. Next, Texas A&M takes a much more challenging exam.

Last week, the No. 10 Aggies (1-0) breezed to a college football season-opening 50-0 victory over Missouri State.

It was an impressive win, but that matchup pales in comparison to the challenge A&M faces against Arizona State (1-0) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at Kyle Field.

Some may dismiss the Sun Devils as a middling Big 12 Conference team that’s being overrated after a 70-7 demolition of hapless Morgan State.

A&M coach Mike Elko warned that would be a mistake.

“They’ve had a ton of success,” Elko said. “They were a quarterfinalist in the playoffs two years ago. They’ve had a lot of guys get drafted out of that program.

“So, this is going to be a really, really big test. A really big challenge for us, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Danny Grant, TexAgs

Marcel Reed and the Aggie offense accumulated 505 yards in the Week 1 win.

Regardless of opponent, the Sun Devils, who last season defeated playoff qualifier Texas Tech, are explosive.

Quarterback Cutter Boley, a transfer from Kentucky, passed for 387 yards and six touchdowns vs. Morgan State.

True, Morgan State is a vastly inferior opponent, but Boley also passed for 330 yards and five touchdowns last season vs. Tennessee.

He also has a lot of talent to work with. Reed Harris, a 6-foot-5 and 220-pound senior, is a transfer from Boston College, where he caught 39 passes for 673 yards in 2025. Harris had six receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns vs. Morgan State.

Also, Omarion Miller, a transfer from Colorado, had eight catches for 102 yards last week. He led Colorado in receiving last year with 45 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Sun Devils have a solid defense, too. They’re especially effective against the run. A year ago, they ranked 31st in run defense. They held nine opponents to 135 rushing yards or less.

Nose tackle C.J. Fite, a product of Tatum, Texas, is a force up front. Linebacker Owen Long last season led the nation with 151 tackles for Colorado State.

Of course, A&M poses problems, too.

Quarterback Marcel Reed was sharp last week in passing for 233 yards, including impressive touchdown tosses to Isaiah Horton and Mario Craver.

Meanwhile, the Aggies defense showed off by allowing just 67 total yards en route to posting a shutout.

Another excellent showing would be an impressive way to vault the Aggies into Southeastern Conference action vs. Kentucky next week.

Elko is adamant the Aggies aren’t looking that far ahead, though.

“I’m not worried about going forward. I’m worried about winning this game,” Elko said. “The only thing I’m focused on is these four quarters and whether or not we can figure out a way to win.”