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Texas A&M Football: 5 reasons Aggies can win 2018 national title

By Connor Muldowney

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Trayveon Williams #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Trayveon Williams #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Nick Starkel #17 of the Texas A&M Aggies drops back to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Nick Starkel #17 of the Texas A&M Aggies drops back to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Starkel is finally healthy

A team is only as good as its quarterback, in most cases. That’s what made Texas A&M’s 2017 season so rough. Kellen Mond was thrust into the action as a true freshman after Nick Starkel’s early-season injury and the Aggies found out just how important an experienced quarterback is.

This is not a knock on Mond, though. The freshman showed plenty of promise and he has a bright future ahead — heck, if the new redshirt rule was in place, he would almost have the chance to gain an entire year of eligibility. It’s more of praise to Starkel for being a solid leader both on and off the field.

Starkel still finished the season with 1,793 yards and 14 touchdowns with just six interceptions and looked like a potential All-SEC gunslinger. Actually, he could have been if he remained healthy. Those are impressive numbers for a guy who missed six games.

The Aggies’ offense just looks like a more well-oiled machine when Starkel is under center and the sophomore is due for a big season.