Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC) won't be headed to the SEC Championship Game after losing to No. 16 Texas (9-3, 6-2 SEC) 27-17 in DKR, as the Aggies were outcoached and outmatched to end the regular season. With all the hype, head coach Mike Elko's vaunted second-half adjustments never materialized, leading to struggles on both sides of the ball.
When I say this coaching staff was outclassed, the proof is in the pudding. After leading 10-3 at the half, it looked like Texas A&M's defense was controlling the game, while the offense, even after QB Marcel Reed's ankle injury, was moving the ball and finding a rhythm. All of that progress disappeared after the half, and Texas only improved, led by QB Arch Manning, who made clutch throws and wore A&M's defense out.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's hard to say why the struggles occurred, but even in short-yardage situations where the Aggies have thrived this season, false starts put the offense behind the sticks too many times in the second half, killing several key drives.
For someone who has covered this team all season, I'm confused why OC Collin Klein didn't attack the middle of the field more, knowing the junior linebacker Anthony Hill was out of the game. Texas A&M has a 99% chance to make the College Football Playoffs even with Friday's loss, but it's up to Mike Elko and his staff to figure out what went wrong in Austin, Texas.
After Texas A&M's first loss of the season, here are five takeaways from Friday's matchup.
Texas A&M's defense is allowing too many explosive plays. It needs to stop.
Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesTexas A&M is headed to the CFP, but whoever they face, likely in a first-round home game in Kyle Field, the explosive plays through the air and on the ground must be limited, as Texas essentially ended the game thanks to a 48-yard run and a 56-yard pass against broken coverage.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe fact that Texas A&M's defense couldn't contain running back Quintrevion Wisner for the second straight year is embarrassing, but it is a microcosm of the defense's bigger issues.
Without senior linebacker Scooby Williams, the Aggies lack size and instincts in the middle of the field. At the same time, the secondary broke down in the second half, allowing TE Jack Endries to run wide out for 54 yards, which resulted in the Longhorns' second touchdown.
The defense lacked discipline at every level, especially during WR Ryan Wingo's 29-yard touchdown, where Arch Manning baited safety Dalton Brooks to move out of coverage and find Wingo wide open in the end zone. Texas A&M has time to fix these issues, but this may be an offseason problem that needs to be solved in the transfer portal.
Texas A&M's offense can't only rely on big plays to score
Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) keeps the ball for yards during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesThroughout the season, Texas A&M OC Collin Klein has relied on his electric wide receiver corps, led by KC Concepcion and Mario Craver. At the same time, quarterback Marcel Reed has thrived in play action but struggled in the pocket, which the Longhorn defense forced on Friday night.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile both receivers had their moments, including Concepcion's 19-yard reception and eight-yard touchdown run, Reed's first-half ankle injury might have hindered his play and overall confidence, but the lack of poise in "gotta have it" situations, especially after trailing by ten points for most of the second half, led to two interceptions after misreading coverage.
When Reed is outside the pocket throughout most of the season, his speedy receivers have been able to get open, leading to 15- to 20-plus-yard plays in wins against Notre Dame, Arkansas, Florida, LSU, and South Carolina. However, Reed didn't settle down during most of A&M's possessions in the second half on Friday, and failed to complete passes in tight windows, and avoid mistakes when the Aggies needed a score.
The Aggies will now have over three weeks to prepare for a likely home game in the first round of the CFP, and if Marcel Reed wants to continue playing this season, it's up to the redshirt sophomore to trust his ability and focus on the task at hand.
Texas A&M's run game should improve heading into the postseason
AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: EJ Smith #22 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with teammates against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)Texas A&M's running game will more than likely receive a significant boost if senior back Le'Veon Moss returns to the active roster after missing the last six games of the season, as Rueben Owens, EJ Smith, and Jamarion Morrow were the only running backs to see the field on Saturday, producing just 78 yards. At the same time, Marcel Reed led the team with 71 yards on the ground.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis isn't good enough to win on the road, and while the Aggies will likely host a first-round game in the CFP, they'll face physical defenses that will require a balanced attack. Moss's vision, footwork, and elite burst could have led to a much better performance, opening up the passing game and potentially yielding a better showing from Reed in the pocket.
Still, Ej Smith deserved more carries after scoring the second touchdown of the game, and it's still confusing that Amari Daniels didn't see the field after rushing for a career high 106 yards against Samford less than a week ago. Time will tell when Moss returns, but if the timeline is correct, he should be ready for the playoffs.
Texas A&M's kicking game is still an issue
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Jared Zirkel #99 of the Texas A&M Aggies kicks a field goal in the second half against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field on November 22, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)I understand that one missed field goal wasn't the reason Texas A&M lost on Friday night, but this unit continues to leave points on the field, and I'm not sure Jared Zirkel is the answer at kicker. However, Randy Bond has struggled throughout the year and is now relegated to kick-off duties.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPersonally, Friday's loss was a complete team meltdown in the second half. Still, these kicking issues have forced Mike Elko and OC Collin Klein to go for it on 4th down nearly every drive, knowing that anything beyond 30 yards will likely result in a missed field goal.
After the dust settles, the Aggies will focus on improving on both sides of the ball, but these kicking problems will likely persist until further notice. This feels like more of an offseason issue, but we'll see if confidence is what's lacking, which is usually the issue for kicking.
Texas A&M is a CFP team, but will likely drop multiple spots on Tuesday night
AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Mike Elko of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)I understand entirely that Battered Aggie Syndrome has set in for some. Still, even with Friday's loss, which was predicted by many in the national media, Texas A&M is a lock for the College Football Playoff and will have nearly three weeks to prepare for what is now likely a first-round home matchup in Kyle Field.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSome of the takes I've seen are, well, ridiculous, but it's fair to say the Aggies will likely drop to as low as No. 7 in Tuesday's CFP rankings, as the 5-8 seeds will host first-round games. Should Texas A&M be penalized that much for losing an SEC game on the road? Possibly, but sitting at 11-1 with one conference loss is more than good enough to be in the conversation for a top 4 seed, but I highly doubt they'll receive that treatment.
For the fans that feel like this was a sign of things to come, Mike Elko and his team have earned the right to fix these remaining issues, get healthy, and make a run in the postseason for the first time in program history. It's more than okay to be upset, but the Aggies' 2025 season isn't done just yet.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football's top takeaways from 27-17 loss to Texas
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