Aggies host Samford on Nov. 22nd, seeking a sharp tune-up before their intense rivalry showdown with the Longhorns.
As Texas A&M gears up to host South Carolina this weekend, the details are set for their next matchup.
It's a home date with the Samford Bulldogs on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network.
It's the perfect setup for Texas A&M to tighten a few screws before their annual showdown against their new SEC little brother, the Texas Longhorns, just six days later.
If all goes to plan against South Carolina, the Aggies should enter the Samford game undefeated and sitting comfortably inside the College Football Playoff top four.
That would make the Bulldogs' matchup more of a tune-up than a test, though coach Mike Elko will undoubtedly stress staying sharp to avoid any complacency.
Adding an extra wrinkle to the weekend is a little crossover drama between the two programs.
Earlier this year, Texas A&M hired former Samford men's basketball coach Bucky McMillan to take over the Aggies' program in College Station. So while the action will be on the football field, there's some added familiarity between the programs.
On the field, the Aggies are firing on all cylinders. Against Missouri last week, in a 38-17 thrashing, quarterback Marcel Reed tossed two touchdowns while running back Rueben Owens II punched in two more on the ground en route to 102 rushing yards.
Receiver KC Concepcion added 84 yards and a score, including a 48-yard touchdown off an audible from Reed.
Meanwhile, the visiting Bulldogs are limping toward the finish line.
Sitting at just 1-9 with their only win coming in a tight 24-22 victory over VMI on Oct. 18, Samford's season has seemingly unraveled to the point that long-time head coach Chris Hatcher was fired mid-season.
Every other game this year has been decided by at least a touchdown, and usually much more.
Simply put, this is a mismatch on paper.
Texas A&M's power, depth, and playoff positioning make this less about survival and more about execution. Barring an all-time shocker, the Aggies should take care of business early, rest the starters late, and head into Thanksgiving week undefeated ... and primed for their regular season finale against the Longhorns.