Here’s an approximately 500‑word look at Texas A&M cracking Phil Steele’s preseason top 10:
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Texas A&M’s football program has donned a fresh layer of optimism: in Phil Steele’s recently released 136‑team preseason rankings, the Aggies snag the No. 9 spot—landing in the top 10 coming off an 8–5 season under head coach Mike Elko . It’s a clear testament to the respect Elko is earning as he enters his second year in College Station, energized by solid back‑to‑back coaching manufacturing and renewed crowd enthusiasm.
A&M’s ascent starts with stability: the return of Elko’s full coaching staff—including second‑year offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman—marks a significant upgrade from 2024’s transition-heavy cast . Heading into the ’25 season, Steele seems to value that continuity. He spotlighted the Aggies’ returning statistics: quarterback Marcel Reed, dual-threat rushers Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, and critical contributors from last year’s defense—all among the team’s top tacklers—form the core of an ascending A&M roster .
Steele underscores the defense as Texas A&M’s backbone. Under Bateman and co‑defensive coach Jordan Peterson, the Aggies deployed a 4–2–5 scheme in 2024, setting a standard for aggressive, speed- and youth-driven play . Steele’s top‑10 ranking reflects confidence in Texas A&M preserving that defensive identity while the offense works toward cohesion. The output of Reed and his supporting cast will be crucial—and that’s where the uncertainty lies. Steele’s placement suggests he sees the potential for an offensive breakthrough sufficient to elevate the team into national relevance .
Context helps accentuate the significance: Steele places A&M among SEC powerhouses like Texas (No. 3), Alabama (No. 4), Georgia (No. 7), and LSU (No. 11), creating a powerful narrative that the Aggies now belong in the same national conversation . Importantly, Steele’s full rankings—including preseason positions 1–136—position A&M firmly among elite company: Penn State at No. 1, Notre Dame No. 2, other heavyweights rounding out the top eight—and A&M joining them at 9 .
This preseason recognition serves as both a validation and a challenge. A&M hasn’t cracked double-digit win totals since Johnny Manziel’s Heisman run in 2012, yet Steele’s ranking tacitly signals the program is back within striking distance of that threshold . That level of expectation—top‑10, year‑to‑year momentum, coaching stability—can reshape narrative in SEC circles and beyond.
That said, preseason rankings are merely predictive. The 2025 schedule promises tests: A&M travels to Notre Dame and must navigate a brutal SEC West gauntlet. The true test will be whether Reed’s offense can gel and the defense sustain its form amid tougher competition. Steele’s pick, however, paints a picture where it could happen—and stakes a strong claim for Texas A&M as a resurgence program.
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In sum, Steele’s preseason top‑10 ranking combines respect for a renovated defense, optimism about offensive evolution, and belief in program stability under Elko. For Aggies fans, this isn’t just a flattering projection—it’s a national signal: A&M belongs among college football’s elite… and now has a path to prove it.
