College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2020
By Zach Bigalke
Texas A&M ended the year on a high note when they outlasted Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl. Overcoming a 14-point deficit after the first quarter, Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies bounced back to score the next 24 unanswered points to prevail 24-21 in Houston. That victory will give voters in the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll the confidence to bump up Texas A&M into the preseason rankings.
Kellen Mond went a respectable 13-of-19, though he managed to throw for only 95 yards and a touchdown in the process. Mond added 117 yards and a touchdown on the ground to lead the Cowboys in rushing against Oklahoma State. Freshman running back Isaiah Spiller added 77 yards and a score on 19 carries to pace the Aggies victory. The A&M defense did its part as well, holding Chuba Hubbard scoreless even as he racked up 173 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches.
Texas A&M doesn’t have to leave Kyle Field in non-conference play, with FCS Abilene Christian, North Texas, and Colorado all coming to College Station in September and Fresno State making the journey in October. South Carolina and Vanderbilt also provide two winnable interdivisional games in SEC play, offering the Aggies a chance to further bolster their ranking.