'Not Some Rebuild!' College Football Analyst Makes Bold Claim About Texas A&M Aggies

Mike Elko was able to make a clear difference with the Duke Blue Devils, and according to a college football analyst, he could be primed to do the same with the Texas A&M Aggies right away.

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko with wide receiver Spencer Jones (83) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

As the Texas A&M Aggies prepare for their first season under Mike Elko after ousting Jimbo Fisher from College Station, the expectations for their performance remain unclear.

On one hand, the team could justifiably underperform. They're coming off of a six-year stint with a coach who completely fell short in his final two seasons with the team and now face an arduous road of re-adjusting and finding momentum. On the other hand, they could find a stride and go above and beyond in Year 1 with Elko.

If that does come to fruition, the question then becomes how sustainable that success could be. Elko and the Aggies might get lucky, but go right back to being on the outside looking in afterward. They could also use early success to build a winning product, but that's yet to be seen.

One analyst, however, sees the former being palpable.

“You’re gonna probably laugh at my expectations for Texas A&M, because they are higher than most,” Greg McElroy said. “I look at their roster and I look at the structure, the way Mike Elko was able to organize Duke and create problems for the opposition the last couple of years. I don’t think this is going to be some rebuild.

"I think this is a situation where the second he walks into the door, he walks into a pretty good situation.”

Nov 25, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko looks on before the first half of the game against Pittsburgh Panthers at Wallace Wade Stadium. / Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

With Conner Weigman at the helm and a strong receiver core backing him, the Aggies will boast a strong offense next season. On defense, a new coordinator and plenty of returning weapons make for a high ceiling for the Aggies if they do find a sense of unity right away.

That, combined with a wider pool of College Football Playoff teams could mean that Texas A&M gets to compete right away for a chance to prove itself. Them, and Elko.

“You look at their schedule, it’s a whole heckuva lot more manageable than you might assume,” McElroy added. “An incredible season would be 10-2. Flirt with an at-large Playoff spot. I think that’s an incredible year for Texas A&M and I think it can be done."

Competing right away under Elko is still a big "if." But it's not impossible, especially with the resources that the Aggies boast and considering what the coach was able to do at Duke in his short time there. It's just a matter of whether they use them to the best of their ability.

That could make all the difference.