By SCOTT FELTS
The Opponent: Texas A&M Aggies
When: Saturday, November 14th, 3:30 EST or later.
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
After years of frustration, the Aggies finally broke through with a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. Now they’re trying to prove it wasn’t a fluke, while Tennessee hopes to crash the party in one of the toughest road environments in the Southeastern Conference.
Coach Background
Head coach Mike Elko is in his third season at Texas A&M. He’s built a reputation as a strong defensive mind and program builder. Through 2025, his overall head coaching record stands at 35-16, including an 11-2 season in 2025 for the Aggies that included the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance. Elko previously was head coach at Duke after a successful stint as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M under Jimbo Fisher.
Elko preaches G.R.I.N.D. — Grit, Relentless Effort, Integrity, Now, and Dependability. He believes in building a program through patience, player development, and maximizing each individual’s potential rather than chasing quick fixes. As a head coach, he still has a heavy hand in the defensive side while hiring strong offensive coordinators.
Staff Facts
Offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins is in his first year calling plays after being promoted from wide receivers coach. He coached previously at Alabama, Virginia Tech, Memphis and other schools.
Wiggins wants a tough, disciplined offense that plays with an edge. His system is built on a physical run game, tempo, generating explosive plays, and heavy use of both RPOs and play-action. In short, expect a faster, more physical, and more vertically aggressive offense in 2026 compared to Elko’s first two years in College Station, with the scheme centered around the quarterback while leaning on a strong run game and explosive skill players.
Defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill is in his first season in that role after spending 2005 with the Aggies as a senior assistant. Hemphill has over 20 years of coaching experience with nine of those as a defensive coordinator – including the 2023 season as co-coordinator under Elko at Duke. Hemphill emphasizes an attack mentality. He emphasizes playing extremely hard, with violent, physical effort on every snap. His defenses are typically multiple and flexible, often using 4-2-5 and nickel packages. He focuses heavily on forcing turnovers. Hemphill’s defenses typically are strong in key situations – third down, red zone, fourth down – and he has the rep for being an excellent developer of defensive backs. However, his defenses can occasionally give up explosive plays if the pressure doesn’t get home. Some past units have been more opportunistic than dominant in total yardage allowed.
The staff also includes associate head coach Trooper Taylor, who worked at Tennessee from 2004-07 under Phillip Fulmer. Taylor also coaches running backs at A&M. Taylor followed Elko to College Station after they worked together at Duke.
Quarterback Preview
Redshirt junior Marcel Reed (6-1, 185) returns as the clear starter. In 2025, he had a strong season: 234-of-377 passing (62.1%) for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while adding 493 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He’s a proven dual threat with significant experience in big SEC games.
Reed is a dynamic runner who can create with his legs on scrambles and designed runs. He has excellent acceleration, stop-start ability, and can make defenders miss in the open field, just with the type of player that has given Tennessee defenses trouble in the past.
Reed gets the ball out fast, especially to his first read. He’s a “hit and throw” passer who thrives when protected. Reed has struggled in high-pressure situations – throwing two interceptions apiece against Texas and in the CFP loss to Miami. He can force 50/50 balls instead of throwing it away or taking a check down. His accuracy can be streaky, especially from the pocket as he tends to be “toesy” and bouncy. He doesn’t navigate or climb the pocket well, which leads to hurried or inaccurate throws. His deep ball can sail or lack consistent control. He sometimes forces throws into tight windows.
Key Offensive Player
Junior WR Mario Craver (5-9, 165) is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the SEC. He is explosive after the catch and a constant big-play threat. He’s a focal point of the Aggie offense and should have another huge year in 2026. A true vertical threat with sudden quickness off the line, Craver is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands and can turn any catch into a big gain. He has high touchdown upside and has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the field. At only 195 pounds, Craver can struggle against physical press coverage and can get knocked off his route by bigger, stronger cornerbacks. This also leads to issues on 50/50 balls as drops have been an issue at times. He occasionally lets the ball get into his body instead of catching with his hands.
Key Defensive Player
Redshirt junior CB Dezz Ricks (6-1, 188) is a lockdown corner and one of the top returning defensive players in the conference. Ricks is physical, has great ball skills, and anchors a secondary that remains one of A&M’s strengths. Ricks has ideal cornerback measurables, including long arms and strong hands. He can disrupt receivers at the line and contest throws. He is very good at reading quarterbacks and making plays on the ball, with a natural feel for interceptions.
However, Ricks lacks elite long speed, which can be exposed by true burners on deep routes. Ricks can be a bit stiff in his hips, so quick receivers who can create sudden separation sometimes give him trouble. He plays hard but occasionally gets overly aggressive and can be drawn into holding or pass interference penalties due to his speed limitations.
X-Factor
Kyle Field will be the loudest stadium Tennessee plays in on the road in 2026. It’s been registered at up to 122 decibels. That’s loud, but not as loud as Neyland Stadium can get. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban has accused A&M of piping in artificial noise. If the hostile crowd has a reason to make noise, how will the Vols — with a new starting quarterback — handle it?
The Schedule
Tennessee has the slight scheduling advantage here. Both teams have their bye on Oct. 31. After that, the Vols play at home against Kentucky, while Texas A&M has to play on the road at South Carolina. Both teams have tough games the following week as Tennessee hosts LSU and A&M goes to Oklahoma.
How the Aggies Can Win
Texas A&M wins by leaning on Reed’s dual-threat ability, letting Craver create explosive plays, and using its physical defense to disrupt Tennessee’s tempo. If the Aggies control the line of scrimmage and force Tennessee into mistakes, they increase their win chances if Tennessee’s young roster gets overwhelmed by the 12th Man on the road.
How the Aggies Can Lose
Texas A&M loses if the new offensive coordinator struggles to find rhythm, Reed turns the ball over, and the defense gets worn down by Tennessee’s up-tempo attack. Or if special teams and situational football fail the Aggies in a close game. They could lose the “we’re supposed to be good but can’t close at home” way with plenty of talent, but not enough consistency when it matters most.
Prediction: Texas A&M 27, Tennessee 24
This will be a loud, physical, competitive SEC battle in College Station. Tennessee’s offense should be able to move the ball, but Texas A&M’s home-field advantage, defensive strength, and experience at quarterback should combine to be the difference. The Aggies pull it out late on a defensive stop or a big play from Reed. It’ll be one of the better games of the season.
Predicted Vols Record: 8-2 (5-2)