Artorias said:
If you make the playoffs, it is by definition a successful season. Not necessarily a great season.
This.
The problem with evaluating many things is the human tendency to think in black/white, yes/no, on/off, etc. There's actually scientific reasons our brains do this. When posed with the question "Do you want this or that," our brain will lock in on the choices offered. The answer is sometimes "neither," even though that choice was not offered.
My thoughts on the season for the TLDRs...
- 2025 was highly successful beyond my expectations to start the season. I am satisfied Elko has us rising and building staying power, as we have been wanting. We need to reopen the QB position for competition. All other "issues" going into 2026 are common and manageable for elite programs (which we are on the cusp of being). If we are defining "great" only as "win the national title" or making it to a certain spot in the playoffs, then I guess it wasn't "great". But I would say it was great for the aforementioned - program building.
My thoughts on the season, and conclusions as of today, no particular order -
- Elko is an elite coach, glad he's ours and glad we extended.
- This season exceeded my expectations by a lot. I expected "improvement," not a team in the playoffs. Thought we would lose 2 "for sure" (LSU and sips) and likely a third (one we "should on paper" but eked out a loss) in the regular season. Didn't think we would be in the conference title hunt, and maybe only in the playoff discussion (e.g., like ND was this year). But thought we would be sitting here today at least recognizing the progress and looking forward to next season. We blew past that, and I would say made some real program building strides this year. What happened this year only proved the thesis that 2024 had some "hidden progress" in the program. Expecting that thesis to continue to pay dividends in 2026.
- QB: We need to reopen the position. Reed is "good," not elite, and I don't see him becoming "elite." The talk of him being a Heisman candidate was marketing over substance. Again, for those that may hate this comment, it's not an "on/off" one I think he is a "very good QB," (e.g., 7 out of 10, sometimes an 8, but National Title teams usually have a 9 or a 10 here). But the second half of this season proved to me he is capped (inconsistencies creep in at bad times even on his touch and accuracy in short passes, any pass threat over around 25 yards is not there except on rare occasions, etc. I grant he has good legs, but in this league your game needs to be more than just scrambling). We now live in an age where players wanted to be paid and themselves transfer at will, we should avail ourselves of that and seek an elite QB through the portal, give O'Neil a chance in the offseason, etc. If Reed doesn't like it and leaves, that's simply the age of NIL - it's business. Again, I am not advocating for him to leave or even saying definitively replace him next year. Simply be above board and publicly open the position up again for all applicants. Pessimistic about this position in 2026 if we don't even open it up (because I think Reed is capped) - neutral about this position if we open it up.
- RBs: Honestly, this is a head scratcher for me. Yes, we really miss Moss. But I don't think it matters as I expected the second half of the season Owens, Smith and Morrow to do a little better than we saw. OL was fine. We do need a bruiser (e.g., Tombs type) for short yardage, that hurt us all season after Moss's injury. Hope Elko plunders the portal here for one. I do think Morrow and Owens will develop more next year (sophomores next season). But we have a gap here to fill for 2026. Concerned, but not negative here for 2026. (I am assuming Moss does not return)
- OC: Consistent with my comment that Elko is an elite HC, I trust him to make the right decisions. We pay well, and IMO, Texas A&M is an elite destination in college football (money, facilities, resume builder, etc.). Coordinators change quite often in college football. If Elko sees something in Wiggins, I trust that decision now, we will evaluate that decision in the 2026 season. But Elko for me has already proven he can evaluate talent well, both in his coaching staff and in his players (and before someone throws this comment as a defense of Reed, yes, I think Elko was right to defend Reed earlier this year as yes, Reed made progress over last year... I just personally believe Reed has capped out and am fine with and would applaud if Elko opens the position for competition). Optimistic but wondering.
- O Line: Similar thoughts here as with OC. Elko develops players and recruits well and has proven he can evaluate talent. Yes, I am worried we basically lose our O Line this year, but the machinery is in place and will only worry about it next season when we can evaluate it. Optimistic but wondering.
