While Texas A&M was able to handle business against Missouri State in the season opener, Week 2 provides a massive test in the form of the Arizona State Sun Devils.
For the first time since 2015, the Aggies will square off against a well-coached Arizona State football program. The Sun Devils dominated Morgan State, 70-7, in their season opener, led by Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley, who tossed six touchdowns and 387 yards.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M produced over 500 yards of total offense and held Missouri State to just 67 total yards in the season opener. Junior quarterback Marcel Reed completed 70% of his passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton and speedster Mario Craver.
Both
programs have potent offensive units with a slew of talented playmakers, but which team can strike first and keep their foot on the pedal?
Here are three areas to watch in this SEC versus Big 12 matchup on Saturday:
Can Texas A&M's offense get off to a hot start?
Texas A&M was extremely sluggish out of the gate against the Bears in Week 1, putting up just nine points in the first quarter. The Aggies progressively increased the pace to score 31 points in the second half, but they can't afford a slow start against a team like Arizona State, which ranks fifth in the FBS in total offense through one week of college football.
Will the Aggies limit penalties?
The Aggies were the third-most penalized team in the Southeastern Conference and ranked 21st in the FBS in 2025. In the Week 1 contest against Missouri State, they drew eight penalties for 78 yards, which is the second-most in the league. That is an aspect that Texas A&M must fix moving forward, especially matched up against higher levels of competition in Week 2. The majority of those penalties came in the trenches, which feature four new starting offensive linemen this year.
Can the stifling defensive unit repeat Week 1's success?
There was much worry this offseason about how Texas A&M's defense would look after losing three star defensive linemen to the NFL Draft, but this unit didn't miss a beat. After their shutout of the Bears, the Aggies rank as the No. 1 defense in the country, allowing just 67 total yards in the season opener. Linebackers Noah Mikhail and Tulsa transfer Ray Coney combined for 13 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, while Ryan Henderson notched two tackles and a forced fumble. If they can repeat last Saturday's success against the Sun Devils, it could be a long day for Boley and company.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M vs. Arizona State: 3 areas to watch in Week 2 matchup
