Texas A&M‘s 2025 college football season went out with a whimper. The Aggies started the season with an 11-0 record before losing their last two games of the season to Texas in the regular season and then on Saturday they lost to Miami at home 10-3 in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
The Aggies were home in front of the 12th Man as 3.5-point favorites and still lost the game, with the offensive really sputtering. And just like that, the team that was favored late in the season to get to the SEC Championship Game, and win it, while also expecting a first round CFP bye, achieved none of those things and ends the season in total disappointment.
An Easier SEC Schedule
But one thing that got overlooked all season for A&M is how they ended up with a relatively easier schedule for the SEC. And now, with super conferences across the board in the Power 4, the reality is that the schedule a team draws can play a huge factor in a team’s final record.
We’ve talked plenty about this in the Big 12, the conference we cover. We’ve also talked about this as it relates to the top-heavy Big Ten. There have been similar conversations for the ACC.
But the SEC? Nah. Can’t touch that. Because in the SEC, there is no such thing as a softer schedule. Or at least that’s what the propogandists who run and cover college football have tried to convince us to believe.
The Data
But the reality is, A&M had a very soft schedule. In fact, their best win of the season was not even an SEC team, it was Notre Dame in early September as part of their non-conference slate. After that, what’s their best win? A 38-17 victory on the road against Mizzou? A home win vs. South Carolina? In fact, this team only had two ranked wins this season against Notre Dame and LSU, but only one win vs. teams who finished ranked in the Top 25 (Notre Dame).
There was a case to make for BYU, who actually made its conference championship game, having a more worthy resume than Texas A&M. But it was never even a part of the discussion.
There were seven SEC teams who finished with a 6-2 record or better in league play. One of them was A&M. Of the other six teams, the only other team they played was Texas, who they lost to 27-17 to end the regular season.
Now A&M fans will point to their Strength of Schedule being No. 18 in the country, however, their SOS is two spots ahead of Georgia, who had to play Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas in the regular season, while going 2-1 against those three teams, who all went 6-2 or better in SEC play.
What Now?
The narrative around the SEC needs to change. There’s no doubt that a team like Oklahoma had an absolutely monster schedule, ending the season with Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri. Other SEC teams such as South Carolina and Florida also had really tough draws.
However, not every SEC team is going through murder’s row. And it’s time to acknowledge that. In a 16-team conference, you can get an easy draw, even if the SEC is the best conference in college football. And while we have those conversations in other leagues, it’s time we start having it about the SEC. Texas A&M’s season ending the way it did is case in point.
