Texas A&M’s (11-2) 2025 season came to an abrupt end on Saturday afternoon, falling to Miami (10-2) 10-3 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. When I say this was the worst offensive showing of the season, outside of a handful of drives, you can trust that this is not hyperbole.
From start to finish, starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who finished with 237 yards and two interceptions, did not look improved just weeks after losing to rival Texas on the road in a game where the redshirt sophomore threw for 180 yards and two interceptions. While the strong winds played a factor in his struggles, the lack of velocity on his passes, compared with poor timing and pocket awareness, was too much to overcome.
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Defensively, the Aggies held Miami to just three third-down conversions, and really only looked bad during the final Miami drive that produced a 50-plus-yard run by junior running back Mark Fletcher, leading to freshman WR Malachi Toney’s touchdown that sealed the game.
In reality, Texas A&M had not played its best football over the past month, having to come back after being down 27-3 to South Carolina and losing 27-17 on the road to Texas. Something looked off, especially under center.
Well, the offseason is here, and after making several coaching changes, whoever Mike Elko hires as the team’s new quarterbacks coach could make or break the 2026 season; there’s some hyperbole for you. Here are five takeaways from Texas A&M’s 10-3 CFP first-round loss to Miami.
Texas A&M’s run defense must be fixed this offseason
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies safety Dalton Brooks (25) strips the ball from Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) during the second half of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Even after being tied 0-0 heading into halftime, Texas A&M’s run defense surrendered too many explosive runs, as Miami junior running back Mark Fletcher ended up having a career day with 172 rushing yards, averaging 10 yards per carry. The Aggies’ run fit problems aren’t new, rearing their ugly head over the past two games.
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This issue, outside of defensive linemen getting blocked out of the A and B gaps, falls on the linebackers to play with leverage and stay focused on stopping the back from reaching the second level. Still, due to a lack of size and mental mistakes, nothing was fixed late in the year.
After elevating Lyle Hemphill as the team’s next defensive coordinator and bringing in Travis Williams as the new linebackers coach, this problem, paired with transfer additions and younger members of the roster stepping up, should put these issues to bed.
Was the best Texas A&M team in several seasons? Possibly
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mario Craver (1) runs the ball abasing Miami Hurricanes cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) during first half of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Heading into the offseason, the Texas A&M roster will experience a drop off at several positions, knowing that edge Cashius Howell, defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim, cornerback Will Lee III, and running back Le’Veon Moss are all set to depart. At the same time, star wide receiver KC Concepcion and linebacker Taurean York could declare for the NFL Draft.
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The biggest question, however, is Marcel Reed’s trajectory heading into next season, given that three of his offensive line starters will also leave, and his regression as a passer over the last month. Still, his 25 touchdowns and elevated play with better receiving options helped pave the way for the Aggies’ 11-1 finish, and the program’s first bid to the College Football Playoff.
Texas A&M’s pass rush recorded 41 sacks due to the depth along the defensive line, and combined with an offensive line that surrendered just 12 sacks during the regular season, this roster was built to compete for a championship, but failed to live up to the moment like many teams in the past.
Mike Elko will have his work cut out for him in the transfer portal, as he looks to replenish nearly every position with veteran talent.
Texas A&M’s running back room needs change, and it’s coming
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Rueben Owens II (4) runs the ball against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jr. Romanas Frederique (29) during first quarter of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The return of senior running back Le’Veon Moss was short-lived, leaving the game after seven carries. In contrast, Rueben Owens, who finished the game with 21 yards, isn’t guaranteed to enter the 2026 season as the starter and will now have competition with freshman Jamarion Morrow and incoming freshman KJ Edwards.
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Morrow, who did not appear against the Hurricanes, showed plenty of flash and potential this season, while Edwards is coming off a High School National Title and looks like the most explosive running back in the 2026 class. While the Aggies ended the 2025 season averaging nearly 200 yards per game, Marcel Reed’s play regressed late in the year, just like the Aggies’ overall performance.
Edwards will bring elite speed and burst to a room that is expected to be deep, and for the first time in two seasons, worrying about Le’Veon Moss’s health status will be a thing of the past. Texas A&M’s offensive line will look different, but run blocking shouldn’t be a problem under O-line coach Adam Cushing with better talent in the backfield.
Mike Elko’s QB coach hire will determine if Marcel Reed improves
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during first half of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
It’s time to ask the question: Is Marcel Reed the answer? That’s now up for debate, and while the regular-season stats were impressive, Texas A&M’s wins against the bottom feeders in the SEC, which usually fielded bad defenses, covered up a lot of warts for the redshirt sophomore, who struggled to find any consistency against Miami’s defense.
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After announcing his return earlier this month, combined with Mike Elko’s post-game comments, it sounds like Marcel Reed will retain his starting job, but whoever Elko hires as the team’s next quarterbacks coach will determine if Reed will improve as a pocket passer, primarily in his footwork, accuracy, and touch.
However, it would be wise for Elko to bring in another quarterback from the transfer portal, not just to create some competition, but provide insurance heading into the spring season.
Despite the loss, the 2025 season was a success
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – DECEMBER 20: Malachi Toney #10 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
For head coach Mike Elko, it’s hard to argue that finishing 11-2, resulting in Texas A&M’s first College Football Playoff appearance, is anything but successful. For most fans reeling from Saturday’s loss, perspective is needed.
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Still, I understand how some can see this campaign as a failure, given the way the Aggies dominated throughout the season and that hosting a playoff game in Kyle Field is as good as it gets, and that it should not have been squandered. Yes, 3 points in Kyle Field is the worst scoring effort in the stadium since 2002, which is even more embarrassing given the depth chart’s offensive firepower.
However, strides were made, and Elko continues to look like the right hire for a problem with so much potential. Outside of the Marcel Reed discussion, which will be had throughout the offseason, Texas A&M’s 2026 roster, barring future transfer additions and returning players, should contend for the CFP next season.
Saturday’s result was highly disappointing, but the future remains bright in College Station under Elko’s guidance.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football’s top takeaways from 10-3 CFP loss to Miami (FL)
