The SEC Preseason Media Poll just dropped, and our Texas A&M Aggies are slotted to finish fourth in the conference. Yeah, you heard that right, fourth. You’d think with the sheer talent on this squad, especially with a few absolute studs making the Preseason All-SEC Team, the media would recognize the firepower. But hey, that’s why they play the games, right?
The Poll Says Fourth, But We Got Votes!
So, the official word from the SEC is that A&M is expected to land in fourth place. But don’t let that number fool you into thinking nobody believes in us! The Aggies actually snagged five first-place votes in the poll, racking up a solid 1,967 points from the 88 media members who voted at SEC Media Days. That shows some real belief out there for a team picked to finish fourth overall. Who topped the list? No surprise there, the Georgia Bulldogs are picked to win the SEC outright, hauling in all 88 first-place votes and a massive 2,519 points. Rounding out that competitive top five are the Texas Longhorns, the Ole Miss Rebels, and the LSU Tigers, proving just how stacked this conference is going to be.
Offensive Weapons Ready to Explode
But let’s talk about the players getting some well-deserved shine. We’ve got four Aggies on the Preseason All-SEC Team, and one name stands out big-time: Mario Craver. This dude is an absolute beast! He not only made the Preseason First Team as an all-purpose player, but he also grabbed a spot on the Second Team as a wide receiver. How about last season’s numbers? We’re talking 59 catches for a whopping 917 yards and four touchdowns through the air! And don’t forget he’s a true all-purpose threat, lugging the rock 11 times for another 81 yards and a fifth touchdown on the ground. That’s serious production from a player who can do it all. Then there’s Mark Nabou Jr., who’s holding down the line on the Second Team at center. Talk about a rock in the trenches. Nabou Jr. was a brick wall, playing in all 13 games last season and starting 12 of them. He posted a 64.8 PFF grade, but here’s the real kicker: he absolutely *refused* to give up a sack in a massive 401 pass-blocking snaps! That’s elite protection right there, protecting the quarterback drive after drive.
Defense and Special Teams Bringing the Heat
On the defensive side, DJ Hicks showed up big, making the Third Team as a defensive lineman. He was in on all 13 games last year, wreaking havoc in the backfield. We’re talking 26 tackles, a massive 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks. That’s a dude living in the opponent’s backfield, and it was officially the best year of his career so far. Imagine what he does next! Then there’s the special teams maestro, Terry Bussey, who is only a junior and made the Third Team as a kickoff return specialist. He lit it up last season with 18 kickoff returns, averaging a solid 23.4 yards each time. And he wasn’t just doing kickoffs; he took back seven punts for an average of 8.9 yards. Plus, the kid knows how to find the end zone, scoring an 18-yard touchdown on his *only* reception in 2025. Talk about making the most of your chances!
So, yeah, the poll has us at fourth. But with Craver’s all-purpose dominance, Nabou Jr.’s impenetrable pass blocking, Hicks’s defensive disruption, and Bussey’s special teams spark, this team has all the pieces to make some serious noise. Get ready, SEC, because the Aggies are coming, and they’ve got something to prove this season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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