Texas A&M’s 2024 football season will be the first for new head coach Mike Elko, who has already made his mark this offseason after landing nearly 30 players from the transfer portal, including former Purdue Edge Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten in sacks (10) during his 2023 sophomore campaign.
With the conclusion of the spring football season, the annual Maroon & White spring game didn’t prove much outside vast improvements in the defensive secondary. The defensive line looks borderline elite with Scourton and junior defensive lineman Shemar Stewart’s development, as the two wrecked the Aggies’ work-in-progress offensive line for most of the afternoon.
Most importantly, redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman’s return to the lineup after last season’s lengthy injury immediately makes the Aggies a playoff contender. Still, the O-line’s performance throughout the year will more than likely determine this team’s postseason fate.
Concerning Texas A&M’s win projections, Fan Duel Sportsbook has released its updated SEC win totals, so let’s take a look at any changes based on offseason progress.
16
Vanderbilt Commodores
Hannah Mattix/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
FanDuel Win Projection: 2.5
Prediction: Over
With quarterback Diego Pavia taking over, the savvy veteran has a chance to help the Commodores surprise several SEC teams this season.
15
Mississippi State Bulldogs
(Tim Warner/Getty Images)
FanDuel Win Projection: 4.5
Prediction: Over
With head coach and noted offensive guru Jeff Lebby making his debut with the Bulldogs, a favorable non-conference schedule should get his team off to a good start.
14
South Carolina Gamecocks
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports Kentucky
FanDuel Win Projection: 5.5
Prediction: Over
Look, I’m a fan of quarterback LaNorris Sellers who could be the surprise star of the SEC this season, but my “over” prediction is maybe a game or possibly two, as the schedule is very tough with Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Texas A&M waiting in the wings.
13
Florida Gators
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 5.5
Prediction: Under
Florida’s schedule is beyond brutal, starting with nonconference matchups vs. Miami, Florida State, and UCF. At the same time, the Gator’s SEC slate is a murderer’s row consisting of Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. Good luck!
For more Florida Gators news and analysis, visit Gators Wire.
12
Arkansas Razorbacks
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 5.5
Prediction: Under
Anything could happen with the team’s new OC, Bobby Petrino, who is returning to Arkansas. Still, with a new offensive system to install paired with former Boise State quarterback Taylor Green taking over, growing pains are inevitable.
For more Arkansas Razorbacks news and analysis, visit Razorbacks Wire
11
Kentucky Wildcats
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
FanDuel Win Projection: 6.5
Prediction: Over
Former Texas A&M head coach Mark Stoops (I kid) is back with the Wildcats after landing several key veterans through the transfer portal, including former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Lock them in for at least eight wins this season.
For more Kentucky Wildcats news and analysis, visit UK Wildcats Wire
10
Auburn Tigers
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 7.5
Prediction: Under
Outside of a favorable nonconference schedule, Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne has a new receiving weapon in former Aggies commit wide receiver Cam Coleman. However, once SEC play begins, it could be ugly with matchups against Alabama, Texas A&M Georgia, and Missouri.
For more Auburn Tigers news and analysis, visit Auburn Wire
9
LSU Tigers
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 9.5
Prediction: Under
LSU’s defense was very, very bad last season, head coach Brian Kelly’s lack of transfer portal utilization hasn’t filled many holes, while losing Heisman quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the NFL Draft is pretty significant.
For more LSU Tigers news and analysis, visit LSU Tigers Wire.
8
Oklahoma Sooners
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 7.5
Prediction: Under
Maybe it’s just me, but after watching Oklahoma’s defense during the program’s spring game, the Sooners’ first year in the SEC, I think the offensive line could be an issue with starting right tackle Tyler Guyton, now a member of the Dallas Cowboys. But hey, if you want to bet on any player to help this team win eight nine, or even ten games next season, it’s quarterback Jackson Arnold.
For more Oklahoma Sooners news and analysis, visit Sooners Wire.
7
Texas A&M Aggies
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 8.5
Prediction: Over
Yes, I’m betting on the Aggies in 2024, and not just because I cover the program. Quarterback Conner Weigman is returning, the defensive line is stacked, and the schedule is very manageable, avoiding Alabama and Ole Miss for the first time since entering the conference in 2012.
6
Tennessee Volunteers
Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 9.5
Prediction: Under
On paper, Tennessee’s defense is stacked, led by star pass rusher James Pierce. The offense might be a work in progress, with sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava set to start his first full season. The talent is there, but plenty of unknowns still exist. However, the betting world is very high on the Volunteers.
For more Tennessee Volunteers news and analysis, visit Vols Wire.
5
Missouri Tigers
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 9.5
Prediction: Over
I see the Tigers winning double-digit games for the second consecutive season, mainly due to the quarterback-wide receiver duo of Brady Cook and Luther Burden III. With a pretty manageable SEC schedule, an October road trip to College Station to take on Texas A&M Missouri’s my significant challenge.
4
Ole Miss Rebels
Justin Ford/Getty Images
FanDuel Win Projection: 9.5
Prediction: Over
Ole Miss has a chance to finish undefeated this season outside of facing Georgia, as head coach Lane Kiffin has continued to reign on the transfer portal this offseason. With quarterback Jaxson Dart returning for a final season, the sky is the limit for the Rebels.
3
Alabama Crimson Tide
Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK
FanDuel Win Projection: 9.5
Prediction: Over
Nick Saban has retired, but former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer brings an offensive pedigree that can only be rivaled by a handful of active coaches/coordinators. In his first season with the historic program, quarterback Jalen Milroe is returning for what could be his final junior season among a still very talented roster.
For more Alabama Crimson Tide news and analysis, visit Roll Tide Wire.
2
Georgia Bulldogs
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel Win Projection: 10.5
Prediction: Over
Georgia’s schedule is tough, but if you don’t trust head coach Kirby Smart by now, I can’t help you. After missing the College Football Playoffs last season, starting quarterback Carson Beck has all the tools to lead the country in several categories, so bet the over on the Bulldogs.
For more Georgia Bulldogs news and analysis, visit UGA Wire.
1
Texas Longhorns
Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
FanDuel Win Projection: 10.5
Prediction: Over
Yes, the Texas Longhorns have become the media darling, and I’m a part of said group that believes this team will end up either 12-0 or 11-1, barring potential defeats to Georgia, Michigan, or Texas A&M.
For more Texas Longhorns news and analysis, visit Longhorns Wire.
