Texas A&M’s 2026 schedule breakdown shows five absolute locks that set a firm floor for Mike Elko’s SEC contender squad
Texas A&M has high expectations for the 2026 season with a legit chance to compete for the SEC title. Here are five layups on the Aggies schedule that should pave the road for a successful season.
Texas A&M football enters the 2026 season with legitimate SEC contender expectations, and there are games on this schedule where the Aggies should leave zero doubt where they stand against some of their inferior opponents.
I wanted to make a stand and break down the five guaranteed wins on the Aggies 2026 schedule. So, these are the teams Texas A&M is 110 percent going to beat in 2026.
The gimmes: Missouri State and Citadel
Let’s get the easy ones out of the way first. Missouri State? Come on now. Citadel? Let’s be honest. Those are two easy wins. We don’t really need to have a discussion about those games. If you’re losing sleep over either of those matchups, I can’t help you.
Arizona State is the non-conference game that actually matters
Now let’s talk about the non-conference game that actually carries weight: Arizona State. By the way, this got announced recently. If you’re going to this game, it will be the red, white, and blue crowd stripeout, which is amazing to see.
I think A&M wins this game, and frankly, if they show real red flags here, I’m going to be worried for the rest of the year. If you’re not going to be able to overwhelm a Big 12 defensive line, if you can’t run on them effectively and wear on them over the course of four quarters at home in that Texas heat, then we may be cooked for the rest of the year. That’s the bar. A Power 4 opponent at Kyle Field in September should be a proving ground, not a sweat-it-out situation.
Kentucky and Arkansas round out the easy locks
I also think the following week against Kentucky is a lock. Now, I do believe Kentucky could surprise some people this year, but it’s going to have to happen later in the year. I think it’s too early for them with all those transfers to pull off an upset here. The timing just doesn’t work in their favor.
And then there’s Arkansas. Do I really need to say more? A&M owns Arkansas. Since 2010, the Aggies are 13-3 against the Razorbacks and have won four consecutive games.
Missouri on the road is still a win for the Aggies
I also think on the road at Missouri is going to be a win for the Aggies. I just think A&M’s talent on the roster is significantly better than Missouri’s. And you may say, Tegan, Missouri is going to have a revenge angle here. Well, they said the same thing last year.
The Aggies controlled the line of scrimmage in each of the last two matchups between these two teams and it’ll happen again. They’re going to get beat down, they’re going to be overwhelmed, and I think A&M gets the job done on the road.
Don’t ask me to guarantee anything else on Texas A&M’s schedule
After those five games, you’re not going to see me guarantee anything. As much as I want to stamp a home game against Tennessee, I’m not going to do it. We could talk about an away game against Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama, LSU. I’m not delusional, guys. Those are going to be difficult games, and every single one of them carries real upset potential on either side.
Five guaranteed wins is the floor for Mike Elko’s squad. What Texas A&M does with the rest of that schedule will determine whether 2026 is the year the Aggies finally break through in the SEC, or whether it’s another season of getting my hopes up just to rip the heart out.
