Throughout the offseason, Mike Elko’s introduction as Texas A&M’s newest head coach has been centered around building the roster through the transfer portal while hoping that the returning players from Jimbo Fisher’s final season continue to develop and reach their full potential under Elko’s guidance.
Like every program, the quarterback position will make or break most teams’ seasons, but for the Aggies, redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman is poised to have a big bounce-back season after missing the final four games of the 2023 campaign, but that all hinges on how the offensive line improves.
From the portal, former Purdue defensive end and 2023 Big Ten sack leader (10) Nic Scourton has returned home, as the Bryan, Texas native joins a stacked defensive line littered with 5-star recruiting class, as he and returning junior DE Shemar Stewart look to cause immense havoc in the backfield as soon as Week 1.
Opening the season vs. Notre Dame, who came in at No. 7 in the AP preseason poll, No. 20-ranked Texas A&M looks to kick off the Mike Elko era with a big victory over a blue blood program, and according to ESPN writer Max Olson, defeating the Irish could result in momentum fueled jolt that could vault the Aggies to reaching their high ceiling:
“You couldn’t draw up a more fascinating matchup for Mike Elko’s debut at Texas A&M,” Olson states. “A Fighting Irish team with serious CFB expectations, led by Elko’s former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, is coming to College Station for a prime-time showdown at Kyle Field. That’s as good as it gets for a signature victory opportunity to kick off a new era for the Aggies.”
If Texas A&M reaches its final record “ceiling,” ESPN expects a 10-2 finish. However, if things go drastically south, a 5-7 finish while missing a bowl game is also possible. But hey, after last season’s disastrous end, could it really get any worse?
Texas A&M will open the 2024 season vs. Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31. The game will air on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT.
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