We’ve reached the final stretch of the 2024 college football season. Every team within reach of earning a spot in the College Football Playoffs needs to finish strong, and for the Aggies, that means defeating New Mexico State, Auburn, and Texas to finish out the year.
While the road is clear, A&M’s No. 15 ranking in the latest CFB Playoff rankings felt like a slight snub compared to No. 4 Penn State. The Aggies’ two losses against Notre Dame and South Carolina are officially ranked losses, with the Gamecocks entering the rankings at No. 23.
However, the committee is basing these rankings on the eye test, especially the 3rd-ranked Texas Longhorns, whose best win came against Vanderbilt on the road. Either way, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and his team are focused on improving this Saturday night against New Mexico State.
Here are the official Aggies Wire Staff Predictions for Texas A&M vs. New Mexico State ahead of the game.
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
Texas A&M is rested and ready to finish the regular season strong after the Week 11 bye week, as head coach Mike Elko knows that the Aggies can do is med the fixable issues and practice, and hope that the Week 10 loss to South Carolina acts as a motivator for the next three weeks.
After missing 25 tackles against the Gamecocks, Texas A&M’s defense will be on notice against New Mexico State this weekend, which looks like a “get-right” game for both sides of the ball, while the loss of star running back Le’Veon Moss has vaulted junior back Amari Daniels into the starting role.
However, all eyes will once again be on quarterback Marcel Reed, who will more than likely earn his second consecutive start. Needing to show vast improvement in the passing game, meaning OC Collin Klein will need to show more creativity with his play calling and continue to utilized Reed’s dual-threat skillset.
Looking to make a statement, I expect the Aggies to show up and shut down New Mexico State’s running game and score in bunches every quarter.
Texas A&M 42, New Mexico State 10
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New Mexico State is in for an extremely tough night when they roll into Kyle Field. Texas A&M is coming off a bye week when they lost to a good but unranked South Carolina team.
The Aggies are going to have a fire in their belly, and it’s going to be unleashed on the New Mexico State.
They have some things they need to work on, and unfortunately for the New Mexico State, they will serve as the practice team. I have the Maroon & White beating New Mexico State big during Military Appreciation / Senior Night
Texas A&M 47, New Mexico State 7
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Texas A&M returns from its second bye this week with a break from the daunting conference schedule.
In their most recent contest, the No. 15 Aggies (7-2, 5-1 SEC) were upset at South Carolina, snapping their seven-game winning streak and unbeaten run in conference play. Saturday night’s matchup against New Mexico State is the ultimate “get right” game.
Texas A&M redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed needs to prove why head coach Mike Elko made him the starter over redshirt sophomore Conner Weigman, which is exactly what he’ll do. Led by Reed and the vaunted Aggies defense, Texas A&M will get out to such a big lead against the Lobos that Weigman will see some action in the second half.
Regardless of who the opponent is, the Aggies cannot overlook them. However, that would be a concern if Jimbo Fisher were still in charge, but not Elko.
Texas A&M 45, New Mexico State 13
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Game Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Game Time: 6:45 p.m. CT.
Broadcast: SEC Network
Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Texas A&M 45, New Mexico State 10