On Monday, the first AP Top 25 Poll was released, and Texas A&M came in at No. 8, its highest preseason ranking since 2022, matching its US LBM Coaches Poll standing, which immediately spurred plenty of debate after the Aggies lost 15 starters from the 2025 roster, including a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, in full agreement with AggieYell insider Carter Karels, this proves that coach Mike Elko has officially earned national respect after leading the Aggies to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history last season. Still, it's more than fair to criticize where Texas A&M is ranked when comparing Elko's revamped 2026 roster, no matter its depth and talent level, to several other Power Four programs outside the Top 10. Ole Miss, Oklahoma, LSU, and Texas Tech are ranked directly below the Aggies, which surprised many in the national media, including CBS Sports writers Brad Crawford and Richard Johnson, who both picked Texas A&M as their most "overrated" team in the rankings. Again, none of this is surprising, given Crawford's recent articles predicting A&M to finish either 8-4 or 9-3, while ultimately missing the CFP. Not to say I fully disagree with both analysts that A&M should be outside the Top 10 before the season begins; it's also fair to point out that quarterback Marcel Reed is entering his second full starting season, aided by one of the best wide receiver rotations in the country, paired with an NFL-level, talent-rich defensive line and secondary, could propel the Aggies towards at least 10 victories. However, as I've stated on multiple occasions, replacing four starters along the offensive line could easily make or break the Aggies' season, but if first-year OC Holmon Wiggins rolls Marcel Reed out of the pocket and the run blocking finds consistency, above-average pass protection should be enough to at least match last season's production.
Most overrated team in AP Top 25 Preseason Poll?@BCrawford247 and @RJ_cfb both think it's the Texas A&M Aggies 👀 pic.twitter.com/vdyQSrDTIW — CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 17, 2026
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