Mike Elko reacts to Texas A&M's "tough" 2026 schedule after reveal

[ASFN Admin]

On Wednesday, third-year coach Mike Elko and his revamped 2026 roster learned how most of the 2026 schedule will shake out, as the official game times for eight of the Aggies' 12 regular-season games were revealed, while the much-anticipated season finale vs. rival Texas is set for 6:30 p.m., which was revealed earlier this offseason.

For Elko, these times, which include just two SEC road games at night, and the final SEC road matchup vs. Oklahoma being an 11 a.m. kickoff, are certainly a positive development. At home, only the Week 2 test vs. Arizona State, slated for 11 a.m., will serve as the lone early kickoff in Kyle Field, which continues to be one of the best SEC environments, as the Aggies finished undefeated at home during the 2025 regular season.

Still, Elko and his veteran roster will not be intimidated by what many deem as one of the toughest schedules in the SEC, especially based on last season's early projections that the Aggies would finish 9-3 or even 8-4 due to road tests vs. Notre Dame, LSU, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, losing just one game against their rivals.

After making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, Elko is on the right track, but still has plenty of boxes to check, primarily defeating Texas for the first time since the Longhorns joined the SEC, combined with making it past the first round of the CFP after falling to Miami in early December.

After the 2026 schedule was released, Mike Elko spoke to the SEC Network about the Aggies' draw. Here's everything he had to say.

Mike Elko on QB Marcel Reed, and what to expect from his starting signal caller​

"He's taken a lot of strides this offseason. He started really well and made a huge jump as a part-time starter in Year 1 to leading an explosive offense and a team that went to the playoffs. Now it's about finding that consistency. He showed this spring he is primed for taking the next step in his growth."

Mike Elko on the 9-game SEC schedule​

"We all signed up for this and to play in this conference. When you do that, you know that the road to success will come through your ability to win in some tough road environments."

Mike Elko on the Aggies' "tough" road schedule​

"I just hope everybody remembers this conversation as the season unfolds because they said the same thing last year. Then during the season, all they talked about was how our schedule is weak."

Texas A&M's 2026 schedule is demanding, but manageable​

"We start with three in a row at home. A chance to get off to a really good start. Kyle Field is an unbelievable home-field advantage. We play in front of the best crowd in the country. The more we can play at Kyle, the better." "You just know in this day and age, the path is to protect home and find ways to win on the road."

The transfer portal age will continue to produce new-look rosters on a yearly basis​

"I don't know if you're preparing for the extra conference game in any different way, but this time of year is critical because more and more, it feels like you are building a one-year team. We have 48 new guys this year. We will have 13 new starters out there."

Texas A&M will open the 2026 season against Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Kyle Field.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Mike Elko discusses Texas A&M's "tough" 2026 schedule after reveal

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