What does Mike Elko's Texas A&M Aggies squad need to secure a place in the 12-team College Football Playoff?
After falling out of the AP Top 25 after a Week 1, 23-13 loss to the then-No. 7 Notre Dame, the then-No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies have bounced back. The Aggies have won five straight, including a win over then-No. 9 Missouri in Week 6, bulking their case for a bid in the College Football Playoff.
Texas A&M, ranked No. 14, will have several remaining opportunities to bolster its playoff resume as the season progresses.
With two matchups versus top 10 teams left on the schedule, here's what the Aggies (5-1, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) need to secure a spot in the 12-team CFP.
What do Mike Elko's Texas A&M Aggies need to make the College Football Playoff?
The Aggies have posted some impressive wins through their first six games, including wins over Arkansas, which has surprised in the SEC, and then-No. 9 Missouri. Texas A&M is also the only SEC team with a 3-0 conference record. However, for the Aggies, the road only gets tougher from here. The Aggies will have to record a statement win for a spot in the playoff.
In Week 9 on Oct. 26, the Aggies will host the No. 8 LSU Tigers (5-1, 2-0), a season-defining matchup for Mike Elko's Texas A&M squad. The Aggies will also face the top-ranked Texas Longhorns (6-0, 2-0), the SEC's only undefeated team, at home on Nov. 30.
Even if Texas A&M falls to Texas in the last game of the season, the Aggies will have a good shot to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff but will need some help.
Given the talent in the SEC, three teams could find themselves with playoff spots. It's difficult to predict the finished product of the SEC standings, but a two-loss Texas A&M team will have to find a way to win the SEC championship.
Its playoff chances will also depend on some of the SEC's biggest remaining matchups, including Georgia-Texas and Alabama-Tennessee in Week 8, Alabama-LSU and Georgia-Ole Miss in Week 11 and Tennessee-Georgia in Week 12.
If the Aggies can top both Texas and LSU, a spot in the College Football Playoff is nearly a guarantee. It may be tough, but the Aggies' road to the CFP is in their control.