After the largest comeback in school history against the South Carolina Gamecocks last Saturday, the Texas A&M Aggies are eyeing their first 11-0 start in 33 years against the Samford Bulldogs in Bryan-College Station, Texas, on Saturday.
The visitors from Homewood, Alabama, hold a 1-10 record in 2025, but that is something that the Aggies can’t afford to overlook with everything at stake in the final two games of the regular season. Head coach Mike Elko has his team playing at a historic level, with an unblemished record and remaining atop the Southeastern Conference with just one league game left.
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Texas A&M is in a position to secure the program’s first appearance in the conference championship and the CFP if the unit finishes the campaign strong. The inconsistencies that reared their ugly head in the first half of the Week 12 contest against the Gamecocks, including Marcel Reed’s performance in the first two quarters, must be cleaned up this weekend and in preparation for Texas next Friday.
Here are the five things to watch for in Texas A&M’s matchup against Samford in the potential last game at Kyle Field of the 2025 campaign:
Can the Aggie offensive line fix mistakes from Week 12?
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) lines up during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
While the offensive line wasn’t the only unit to struggle last Saturday, Texas A&M couldn’t establish dominance in the trenches against the South Carolina defense, which ranked 15th in total production entering the Week 12 contest. The Aggies picked up just 94 rushing yards and allowed two sacks, while looking completely out of sync in the first half. That must be fixed this week against Samford, and moving forward, if Elko and company are seeking to make more history.
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How will Texas A&M handle the distraction of the looming Lone Star Showdown?
Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) walks on the field after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Bulldogs enter Kyle Field with just one win this season, but that doesn’t mean the Aggies can’t get caught looking ahead to next week’s looming showdown against the Longhorns. In what is a win-or-go-home situation for Texas, head coach Steve Sarkisian will have his squad eager to play spoiler in the most important contest of the year for both programs. Texas A&M must focus on the task at hand and stay healthy against Samford before turning its attention to the challenges ahead.
Will Texas A&M’s kicking woes continue?
Texas A&M place kicker Randy Bond (47) kicks and scores an extra point to win a NCAA football game 41-40 against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend.
Another inconsistent aspect of Texas A&M’s game has been the adversity Randy Bond is facing as the Aggies’ place kicker. Bond was coming off a senior campaign in which he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. Still, he has struggled at times throughout his fifth season in College Station, including two missed field goals against South Carolina last weekend. Any points, especially against higher-tier opponents, will be highly integral to the Aggies.
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Can the Aggie defense force Samford’s quarterbacks to feel the heat?
Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Samford has two quarterbacks with 1,200 passing yards or more in 2025, combining for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Quincy Crittendon and Brady Stober have seen relatively equal playing time, and both will likely be utilized to try to get the Bulldogs’ offense going against the Texas A&M defense, which ranks fourth in the league with 1,968 total passing yards allowed this year. Trying to slow down defensive end Cashius Howell, who ranks No. 2 in FBS with 11.5 sacks this season, will be a massive challenge for Samford’s offensive line.
Can the Aggies stay healthy and undefeated entering the last regular-season contest next week?
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss (8) celebrats with wide receiver Mario Craver (1) after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Over the next week or so, the Aggies should be back on track to being fully healthy. Le’Veon Moss seems to be moving closer to a return, while wide receiver Mario Craver is expected to be back this week for Texas A&M’s matchup against the Bulldogs. This weekend’s contest could be a rout, but the most crucial factor will be keeping everyone healthy and ready to go for the Lone Star Showdown to end the regular season on a high note.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football’s five things to watch against Samford
