Texas A&M presents significant challenge in Week 2 matchup for Arizona State
The Sun Devils are riding high from their massive 70-7 win over Morgan State to open the season, but a massive SEC obstacle stands in their way in Week 2.
Texas A&M, ranked No. 8 in the preseason and fresh off a 50-0 win over Missouri State in Week 1, will host the Sun Devils on Saturday, marking the third straight season playing an SEC school in Week 2.
Head coach Mike Elko led the Aggies to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last season, and his squad looks to make that a regular occurrence. Front and center of those aspirations is quarterback Marcel Reed. A rarity in today's NIL landscape, Reed is in his 4th season with the Aggies, his second full season as the Week 1 starting quarterback after taking over starting duties for good from Conner Weigman midway through the 2024 season. He rewarded his coaches by throwing for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns in 13 games. He was prone to interceptions, throwing 12 on the season including four across the Aggies' final two games, the latter being a 10-3 loss to Miami in the First Round of the Playoff.
A new offensive coordinator has fine-tuned Reed's decision-making, and a strong supporting cast of wide receivers gives him no shortage of weapons to go against the Sun Devils' secondary. Mario Craver returns to lead the unit after recording 917 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 2025, and will be joined by the physical presence of Isaiah Horton, transferring in from Alabama. Junior Terry Bussey looks to step into a larger role behind the two leaders.
In the running game, Rueben Owens II will get the majority of the carries, supported by Carsyn Baker and KJ Edwards. Aggie runners put up 236 yards on the ground behind a heavily revamped offensive line that features one returning starter in center Mark Nabou Jr. Transfers Wilkin Formby and Tyree Adams add physical size, but the work in progress nature of the line could be favorable for Arizona State's defensive front.
As for the Aggies on defense, the matchup to watch will be how Cutter Boley performs against a superior secondary. Nickel back Bryce Anderson and safety Marcus Ratcliffe lead a unit that allowed just 30 passing yards in their opener. They are joined by top recruit Tylan Wilson at free safety, bringing a strong visual read and a high level of versatility to the defense.
This will not be an easy test for the Sun Devils, and the sportsbooks aren't giving the Devils much love. At the time of this writing, Arizona State will go in to College Station as a 14.5-point underdog according to DraftKings. It stands as a peculiar occurrence that this season's matchup comes 11 years to the day following the only other meeting against the Aggies, a 38-17 loss in a neutral-site game at NRG Stadium in Houston. In that meeting, it was the unranked Aggies dealing a surprise loss to the preseason-No. 15 ranked Sun Devils. Fans of the maroon and gold will be hoping for a reversal of fortune this time around.
The Sun Devils and Aggies will kick off from Kyle Field at 9am Arizona time on Saturday, with the game airing on ABC.
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