Defeating one of 12 opponents does not necessarily lead to a memorable season for a college football team.
Unless, of course, the team is Texas A&M and the opponent is Auburn.
Texas A&M has defeated Auburn six times since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012. Each season was extremely memorable, albeit for various reasons.
Twice (2012 and 2020), the Aggies finished ranked among the nation’s top five. Twice (2016 and 2021), the Aggies were in championship contention until late-season collapses. Once (2014), the season was saved (remember Myles Garrett’s blocked field goal?). And once (2023), a major coaching change followed.
In 2025, the No. 9 Aggies (3-0) hope to push toward another memorable campaign with a victory over Auburn (3-1, 0-1) in A&M’s conference-opener on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT at Kyle Field.
And like every other season except 2012 (A&M prevailed 63-21), the Aggies know victory won’t come easily.
“They’ll be a team that’s got their back against the wall,” A&M coach Mike Elko said. “I’m sure they’ll put their best foot out there.”
Auburn suffered a controversial loss at Oklahoma last week but still has the SEC’s leading run defense and a strong pass rush.
But the Tigers’ primary threat is a dangerous group of receivers, led by 6-foot-3, 200-pound sophomore Cam Coleman. He caught two touchdown passes in Auburn’s overtime victory over A&M last season.
Coleman and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr. pose an intriguing matchup challenge for the A&M secondary, especially cornerbacks Dezz Ricks and Will Lee III.
“You’ve heard my story on matchups: I’d rather be playing guys who weren’t big, athletic, fast and 10.2 in the 100 meters,” Elko said. "This is a really, really talented receiving corps.
“There’s a lot of other teams I’d rather try to match up with on Saturday at wide receiver this week.”
The guy throwing to those receivers is a problem, too. Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold, a transfer from Oklahoma, has thrown for 721 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also a significant threat as a runner. He has rushed for four touchdowns.
However, the Aggies have more than a few threats, too.
Mario Craver leads the nation with an average of 147.7 receiving yards per game. KC Concepcion is averaging 17.4 yards on 13 catches. Le’Veon Moss is an All-SEC running back aided by a proven offensive line.
Also, quarterback Marcel Reed is 13th nationally in passing and fourth in total offense. He has thrown for 869 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 142 yards and a score.
He passed for 360 yards and two touchdowns in the Aggies’ 41-40 victory over Notre Dame two weeks ago.
The Aggies' passing game will challenge the Auburn defense, which is ranked 91st in the nation vs. the pass.
A&M might also have an advantage of coming off an open week, but that’s up for debate.
“I think it’s just how your guys handle (the bye week),” Elko said. “The challenge to our guys is to handle the psychology of success. Continue to stay grounded, continue to keep working, continue to move forward and continue to focus on the things we’ve got got focus on to become the best team we’re capable of becoming.
“I don’t know that that’s any easier or harder based on whether you have a bye week or don’t have a bye week. It just kind of challenges (the players) and us as a staff to continue to drive this thing.”
Maybe with a win over Auburn, they’ll be driving to another memorable season.
