Texas A&M Football: 3 reasons Aggies could make playoff in 2021

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Nov 2, 2019; College Station, TX, USA; UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Lowell Narcisse (10) is sacked by Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Texas A&M has one of the nation’s top defenses

Defense wins championships.

That’s the cliche that sports fans have used and heard for decades. It has become less factual over the years, but it doesn’t hurt to have an elite defense to complement a solid offense.

With a new quarterback in place, Texas A&M will need that defense to step up and be every bit as elite as it was in 2020, and with nine starters returning, that looks likely.

DeMarvin Leal is back as one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC, Leon O’Neal Jr. returns after leading the team in picks, and the entire defensive backfield is back. The Aggies only need to really improve against the pass and they should do that this season under Mike Elko with all defensive back starters returning.

The Aggies finished No. 28 in the nation in scoring defense and ninth in total defense. They also finished in the top three in every major category in the SEC.

Don’t be shocked if the Aggies have the SEC’s top defense in 2021.

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