Aggies Rank in Top 25 Toughest Schedules For 2023 Season

The Texas A&M Aggies are one of 12 SEC programs listed in the top 25 of toughest schedules for next season.

How challenging is Texas A&M's schedule in 2023? According to ESPN, it ranks inside the top 25. 

Based on the latest College Football Power Index to rank teams, the Aggies are projected to have the 16th-toughest schedule in 2023. A&M is coming off its worst season since 2008 and posting a 5-7 record. 

On paper, a top-25 schedule seems rigorous, but the Southeastern Conference's level of competition has several teams falling into that category. A&M's schedule is listed as the ninth-hardest in the conference and ranks behind programs like Ole Miss (No. 1), Florida (No. 3), Auburn (No. 5) and Arkansas (No. 6).

Twelve of the current 14 teams in the conference are listed inside the top 25, with Alabama (No. 18), Missouri (No. 20) and Mississippi State (No. 25) rounding out the list. 

A&M actually benefits compared to its SEC counterparts in more ways than one. The Aggies open the season at Kyle Field against New Mexico before traveling down to Coral Gables for a Week 2 matchup against Miami (FL). A&M was one team that disappointed, but the Hurricanes were a close second, finishing 5-7 under first-year coach Mario Cristobal.

In contrast, only Auburn seems to garner a more relaxed non-conference schedule to begin the year from teams in the division. SEC West winner LSU draws Florida State in Orlando in Week 1, while Alabama plays host to Texas in Week 2. Ole Miss travels to New Orleans in Week 2 to face AAC winner Tulane, while Mississippi State plays host to a surging Arizona roster that progressed this offseason via the transfer portal. Arkansas also faces the newly Big 12-anointed BYU in Week 3. 

Although the Aggies will have several highly-anticipated road trips this fall, several of the more manageable games are played at home. A&M will travel to Knoxville, Oxford and Baton Rouge to face Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU, respectively, but it will also play host to Auburn, Alabama and Mississippi State. 

A&M pulled off one of the program's biggest upsets against Alabama the last time Nick Saban came to town in October of 2021. The Tigers also lost 20-3 in 2021 during their road trip to College Station in early November of the same season. 

In road games, A&M defeated Tennessee in Neyland Stadium during the COVID-19 season to cap off an 8-1 regular season finish. Both LSU and Ole Miss have defeated the Aggies at home in the previous matchup. 

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