Texas A&M Football: Ranking 2020 opponents by toughness

Compared to a season ago, Texas A&M football is looking at a much easier schedule. How do the Aggies’ opponents rank in terms of toughness?

Texas A&M has a favorable slate in 2020, that much is for sure — especially in comparison to a season ago when the Aggies faced three No. 1 teams in the span of 12 games.

Now they have a schedule that could have them finishing as a top 10 team or at least finding themselves as one heading into the final couple weeks of the season with one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the conference.

How do the teams the Aggies will face rank in terms of toughness?

12. Abilene Christian Wildcats

Let me tell you, it is not easy to rank some of these smaller schools, but we start at the bottom with what should be a sure-fire win — Abilene Christian on Sept. 5 as the season opens up. The Wildcats finished the 2019 season 5-7 with a 4-5 record in conference, including a three-game losing streak to end the year.

They return 17 starters, including three seniors on the offensive line and a starting quarterback. There are 11 starters on offense coming back and six on defense, which is great to an extent. These are guys returning from a 5-7 squad, though, so the question is how good are these starters and how heavily should the Wildcat coaching staff lean on these new players?

No matter what, this is a game that the Aggies can’t afford to lose. It’ll likely be their easiest win on the schedule, but they can’t take anybody lightly.