Texas A&M Football Season Preview 2024: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more
The Texas A&M Aggies are looking to find their identity this season, and with former defensive coordinator Mike Elko now returning and calling the shots, they are expected to make a splash in 2024. They enter the season ranked 20th in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, but it will be interesting to see how they do.
Let's take a closer look at the Aggies' schedule, players to keep an eye on and predict what they will finish the year looking like.
Texas A&M's biggest games in the 2024 season
The Texas A&M Aggies have a tough opening game matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but the schedule is a bit softer after that. They face four preseason AP Poll teams, but all four of those games are at Kyle Field, so they at least have that advantage.
Below is the schedule for Mike Elko's first season as the head coach of the Aggies.
Texas A&M Home Games
- 8/31: vs. Notre Dame
- 9/7: vs. McNeese
- 9/21: vs. Bowling Green
- 9/28: vs. Arkansas
- 10/5: vs. Missouri
- 10/26: vs. LSU
- 11/16: vs. New Mexico State
- 11/30: vs. Texas
Texas A&M Road Games
- 9/14: at Florida
- 10/19: at Mississippi State
- 11/2: at South Carolina
- 11/23: at Auburn
Key Texas A&M players to watch out for in the 2024 season
#1. Conner Weigman, QB
Conner Weigman is looking to bounce back after his season was cut short in 2023 as he suffered a season-ending foot injury in late September. However, he has done well as the starting quarterback, as he has a 16:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first two seasons.
Weigman did not look overmatched when he was on the field, and that should be a great sign for the Aggies going forward into the 2024 season.
#2. Shemar Turner, DT
One of the stalwarts for the Aggies on the defensive side of the ball is returning, as defensive tackle Shemar Turner is back for his senior season. In 2023, he had 33 total tackles, six sacks and a pair of forced fumbles with his hard hits with the ball carrier. That type of pressure will be needed as Texas A&M looks to control that side of the football more this season with Mike Elko calling the shots.
#3. Jahdae Walker, WR
Senior wide receiver Jahdae Walker is looking to step up this season as he proved to be a solid pass-catcher in 2023. He finished with 35 receptions for 590 yards (16.9 yards per catch) with a pair of touchdowns in 2023. With his production last season, Walker should be able to build upon that and be the top passing target for Conner Weigman this season.
Texas A&M prediction for the 2024 season
The first season of Mike Elko as the head coach is a tough one to navigate, so instead, we are going to focus on the defense. This defense has a lot of talent, so expect the Aggies to be a top-15 scoring defense after finishing 33rd last season.
That will get them to a bowl game in Elko's first year, but it is difficult to see them competing for a College Football Playoff spot with their offense probably taking a step back.