CBS Sports Analyst Projects Texas A&M Misses 2026 Playoff Push Amid SEC Schedule Shift
Brad Crawford’s 8-4 forecast for the Aggies highlights the increased difficulty of the new nine-game SEC format, suggesting that even a strong record may not secure a College Football Playoff berth.
CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford has projected that Texas A&M will conclude the 2026 college football season with an 8-4 record, a forecast that suggests the Aggies will fall short of the College Football Playoff. The prediction underscores the structural challenges posed by the debut of the new nine-game SEC schedule, which Crawford argues creates a significantly steeper path to postseason contention compared to the previous year.
The projection identifies a series of difficult away fixtures as primary obstacles, specifically citing road games against LSU, Alabama, and Oklahoma. Additionally, the regular-season finale against the Texas Longhorns is viewed as a critical juncture with potential implications for postseason standing. Crawford notes that the margin for error has narrowed considerably, suggesting that a 9-3 record, while realistic and optimistic, may no longer be sufficient to secure a playoff spot in what he describes as potentially the deepest SEC season in recent years.
This assessment comes despite Texas A&M entering the campaign with substantial roster continuity. The Aggies return 65% of their 2025 squad and have incorporated 17 new players via the transfer portal. Quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw 12 interceptions during the previous season, remains at the helm, while the offensive line features four new starters. Head coach Mike Elko, now in his third year, previously guided the program to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance during his second season.
The coaching staff has undergone notable changes following the team’s first-round playoff loss to Miami. Offensive coordinator Collin Klein departed to become the head coach at Kansas State, leading Elko to elevate wide receiver coach Holmon Wiggins to the offensive coordinator role. On the other side of the ball, Lyle Hemphill has replaced Jay Bateman, who left for Kentucky, as the defensive coordinator.
Crawford’s analysis suggests that while the Aggies possess the talent to compete, pencilling them into the playoff field for a second consecutive season appears premature. The projection serves as a reflection of the weekly institutional challenges awaiting the team in the expanded conference format, rather than a critique of the roster’s depth. The forecast highlights how schedule favourability now plays a decisive role in postseason qualification within the SEC.
