Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 SEC) will head to Alabama to face the Auburn Tigers (4-6, 1-5 SEC) in a must-win situation before hosting Texas for one of the most important season finales in Aggie Football history unless A&M falls on Saturday night.
The definition of “trap game” head coach Mike Elko’s brief slip-up on Monday shouldn’t take away from the Aggies’ focus on the Tigers, knowing that their SEC Title and College Football Playoff dreams are still in front of them win two more victories. Still, Saturday night is the primary focus until further notice.
“This year, if we handle our business the way we can and the way we’re supposed to, we don’t need help from anybody. … You don’t feel that from the kids. The kids are just excited to be playing for something meaningful down the stretch.”
However, starting quarterback Marcel Reed will need to hit his open receivers, while running back Amari Daniels will likely take on his largest snap count of the season with Le’von Moss out for the year.
Defensively, limiting Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter and keeping quarterback Payton Thorne in the pocket is key to limiting explosive plays.
On Sunday, Texas A&M stayed at No. 15 in the newest AP Top 25 rankings. Based on last week’s ranking, Tuesday’s College Football Playoff reveal would likely match the Aggies’ newest ranking, as their playoff hopes are still in decent shape ahead of the game.
Here is everything you need to know after the first CFP Playoff reveal:
College Football Playoff bracket: Who’s in, who’s out:
- 12-seed BYU vs. 5-seed Ohio State: Winner plays 4-seed Boise State
- 8-seed Notre Dame vs. 9-seed Alabama: Winner plays 1-seed Oregon
- 11-seed Georgia vs. 6-seed Penn State: Winner plays 3-seed Miami
- 10-seed Ole Miss vs. 7-seed Indiana: Winner plays 2-seed Texas
Latest CFP rankings:
- Oregon (11-0)
- Ohio State (9-1)
- Texas (9-1)
- Penn State (9-1)
- Indiana (10-0)
- Notre Dame (9-1)
- Alabama (8-2)
- Miami (9-1)
- Ole Miss (8-2)
- Georgia (8-2)
- Tennessee (8-2)
- Boise State (9-1)
- SMU (9-1)
- BYU (9-1)
- Texas A&M (8-2)
- Colorado (8-2)
- Clemson (8-2)
- South Carolina (7-3)
- Army (9-0)
- Tulane (9-2)
- Arizona State (8-2)
- Iowa State (8-2)
- Missouri (7-3)
- UNLV (8-2)
- Illinois (7-3)
Texas A&M’s projected CFP opponent
Texas A&M stayed at No. 15, which is unsurprising after defeating a no 2-8 New Mexico State team that didn’t move the needle this week. However, I believe the Aggies would be favored over No. 14 BYU and No. 13 SMU. Head coach Mike Elko and his team are focused on winning the final two regular season games and clinching a spot in the SEC Title game.
How many teams are in College Football Playoff 2024?
For the first time, 12 teams will participate in the College Football Playoffs. Five automatic bids will go to each of the Power Four conference champions and one to the highest-ranked Group of Five champion. The remaining seven slots will go to the seven at-large teams.
When next College Football Playoff rankings come out
- Tuesday, Nov. 12: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 19: 7 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 26: 8 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Dec. 3: 7 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Dec. 8: Noon ET
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