The Fightin' Texas Aggies have not won in Death Valley in over three decades, suffering six consecutive victories at Tiger Stadium. Will A&M's superior record, run defense, pass rush and offense finally be enough to overcome the Purple and Gold in 2025?

Six of the 12 teams in last season's College Football Playoff were ranked among the nation's top 20 in run defense. Through six games, No. 4 Texas A&M's run-stopping unit ranks 22nd nationally and is rising quickly.

Last year, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed faced Florida at The Swamp in his first career start. This year, with a 5-0 record and a No. 5 ranking, the now-experienced Reed leads the Aggies against the Gators on their home turf of Kyle Field for another crucial contest.

In recent seasons, a No. 6 ranking in a major poll could cause hypochondri-Ags to suffer an outbreak of the infamous Battered Aggie Syndrome. However, under Mike Elko's guidance, 2025 could be different as a cure to BAS could be on the horizon.

Mike Elko's Fightin' Texas Aggies are 3-0 and ranked in the top 10, but the 12th Man has seen this movie before. While the Maroon & White have succeeded early in 2025, it's time for Elko & Co. to prove they can handle the pressure that comes with being highly ranked.

Does Marcel Reed's fourth-and-goal touchdown pass with just 13 seconds remaining to defeat Notre Dame qualify as a potential Heisman moment? Through three weeks, Reed has the wins, the stats and moment to be considered the front-runner for the coveted stiff-arm trophy.

A victory over Notre Dame would...well..."just mean more" for Texas A&M as a win in South Bend would catapult the Aggies into the CFP discussion. The opportunity is not lost on head coach Mike Elko as he prepares his team for a top-20 showdown.

Texas A&M’s run defense has typically been sound — even outstanding — 90 percent of the time. Still, the other 10 percent returned in the Aggies' season opener against UTSA as the Roadrunners picked up 118 of their 203 rushing yards on just three plays.

The arrival of a new football season is traditionally accompanied by new hope and optimism, but for Texas A&M fans, there is a sense that the traditional preseason optimism is fading. It’s OK for Aggies to be optimistic for this season, and it's actually warranted.

A 43-41 quadruple overtime loss at Auburn should have dashed Texas A&M's postseason hopes. But by SEC tie-breaker procedures — and perhaps divine intervention — upsets of Ole Miss and Alabama have gifted the Aggies one last chance to control their fate against Texas.

Under 11-year head coach Jeff Monken, the Army Black Knights are 9-0 entering this week's matchup with Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. A win over the Fighting Irish would validate the Cadets from West Point as true contenders to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Perhaps the only reason SMU is in the ACC is that the Mustangs agreed to forfeit a share of conference television revenue for nine years. However, in their first year in a "Power 4" league, the Ponies have eyes on Charlotte for the ACC title game and beyond.

Now, only one poll matters as the College Football Playoff committee will reveal its first rankings on Tuesday. Twenty-five teams will be ranked, but the top 12 will be closely watched in the newly expanded format. Olin Buchanan projects which teams might claim a top-12 spot.

In the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff, there will likely be a two-loss team that finds its way into the bracket. Before the calendar turns to November, here is a look at the resumes of the current two-loss "Power 4" clubs.

There is a Notre Dame-Navy matchup and an Illinois-Oregon showdown, but the biggest game of the weekend resides in College Station as No. 14 Texas A&M hosts No. 8 LSU with first place in the SEC and the inside track to the CFP up for grabs.

A rash of injuries and close games with overmatched opponents has forced Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs — at least for right now — to temper expectations and focus on just being dominant again. Though, toppling No. 1 Texas on Saturday could help reassert their stature.

The college football world will be focused on Autzen Stadium on Saturday evening when Oregon hosts Ohio State in a No. 3 vs. No. 2 matchup that pits the Ducks and Buckeyes against each other for the first time as Big Ten conference foes.

Many have recently bemoaned the decision making and flagging credibility of the ACC along with college football officiating. Both of those issues were magnified last Friday as a debated last-second review handed Miami a questionable win over Virginia Tech.