by Carter Karels

Last meeting: UCLA 29, Texas A&M 23 on Jan. 1, 1998

Breakdown: Josh Rosen returns as one of the most elite quarterbacks in the country, but he doesn’t have much help. Rosen will need playmakers against what should be a top-20 defense in A&M. However, the Bruins lost too many valuable pieces last year to rank among the best in the country.

Three of Rosen’s four top receivers from last season are gone, and only four other offensive starters return. Also, one of the best running backs in UCLA history — Paul Perkins — graduated, leaving an inexperienced Soso Jamabo with big shoes to fill. The Bruins bring back most of their defensive starters but lost the two most important in Kenny Clark and Myles Jack.

Key Players: Defensive ends. In last year’s opener, Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall took over with a combined six sacks and three forced fumbles. A large chunk of the duo’s damage came early in the season when they were fresh.

This time, the pair will face a UCLA offensive line that allowed just 14 sacks last season, which is the second lowest in team history. UCLA only returns one of its tackles, however, opening an opportunity for one of the veterans to wreak havoc.

Prediction: The Aggie defense makes a statement against Josh Rosen, holding him under 225 passing yards. Trevor Knight acts as game manager in his first outing as an Aggie. Texas A&M 24, UCLA 17.

Week 2 – Sept. 10 vs. Prairie View A&M

Last meeting: First meeting

Breakdown: Straight out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Panthers are sandwiched by challenging opponents on the Aggies’ schedule. Between games against UCLA and Auburn A&M can use this game to try out new plays and brush off remaining rust. Inexperienced players, especially Trevor Knight, need as many reps as they can get before SEC play.

Key Player: Erik McCoy. This is a name not heard often around Aggieland. The redshirt freshman takes over at center after five years of Patrick Lewis and Mike Matthews. McCoy played guard and tackle in high school and is still learning what it means to be a center.

A year in the SEC could be difficult when surrounded by other inexperienced offensive lineman, especially under a new offensive coordinator. This game provides an opportunity for McCoy to gain more live action under his belt. He will need to be crisp against the likes of Alabama, LSU and the other tough opponents he will face this season.

Prediction: The only competition taking place in this game will be between the bands at halftime. The Aggies light it up offensively, and Christian Kirk has a field day. Texas A&M 55, Prairie View A&M 9.

Week 3 – Sept. 17 at Auburn 

Last meeting: Auburn 26, Texas A&M 10 on Nov. 7, 2015

Breakdown: This game is monumental for both head coaches. After Gus Malzahn reached the national championship in his first season, it was unfathomable that he’d be on the hot seat soon thereafter. But here he is after two disappointing seasons. Kevin Sumlin’s predicament mirrors Malzahn’s after consecutive eight-win years, both filled with controversy.

Each season, A&M’s lost a game it should win. It was Auburn in 2015, LSU in 2014, Missouri in 2013 and Florida in 2012. Out of Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn, the Tigers are most likely to deliver that loss in 2016.

The Tigers are not the greatest of the four, but they match up with the Aggies the best. Every year since 2013, Auburn has given A&M all it can handle offensively. The Aggies remain shaky against the run and won’t be the sharpest against it this early in the season. And to make things worse, it’s a road game.

Key Player: Otaro Alaka. The linebackers were nonexistent last year, and the running defense and Armani Watts’ numbers made that clear. Watts out-tackled the next best linebacker by 45, and the Aggie defense ranked 107^th in rushing yards per game thanks to poor health, skill and depth at the position.

Otaro Alaka is A&M’s best linebacker, but his injuries kept him out most of last season. He will be needed most against the Tigers, who torched the Aggies for 311 yards on the ground last season. If Alaka lives up to his potential and is available, he can mitigate the primary source of Auburn’s attack.

Prediction: The Tigers don’t run over the Aggies again, but they certainly frustrate them. Jovon Robinson rushes for 150-plus yards on A&M for the second year in a row. Auburn 34, Texas A&M 27.

Week 4- Sept. 24 vs. Arkansas at A&T Stadium

Last meeting: Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 21 (OT) on Sept. 26, 2015

Breakdown: Bret Bielema needs a breakout season more than ever to keep his job, but that’s just not going to happen. With Brandon Allen gone, his most experienced quarterback has thrown three collegiate passes. Arkansas is one of three schools in the SEC replacing its quarterback and running back. And the Razorbacks, even in their decent years, haven’t fared well against the Aggies.

Key Player: Josh Reynolds. Without Reynolds, A&M wouldn’t have toppled Arkansas the last couple years. In 2014, a game-tying touchdown with two minutes left sent the teams to overtime. A two-point conversion the following year from Reynolds repeated history. In the two games combined, he recorded 195 receiving yards. As a senior, he could be the overwhelming difference yet again.

Prediction: We won’t see a third straight overtime game. Instead, A&M will win comfortably thanks to an all-around solid performance. Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 16.

Week 5 – Oct. 1 at South Carolina

Last meeting: Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 28 on Oct. 1, 2015

Breakdown: If Kenny Hill and Kyler Murray can beat this team, so can Trevor Knight. Will Muschamp entering the picture should help the Gamecocks rebuild for a few years. But as of now, he doesn’t have much to work with. Lorenzo Nunez should be the starter at quarterback, but it’s still questionable at this point. This should be A&M’s easiest SEC game.

Key Player: Keith Ford. Last season, Kyler Murray and Tra Carson became the first Aggie duo to each rush for at least 100 yards since 2012. More importantly, the game ushered Carson into his role of becoming a 1,000-yard rusher. The Aggies have five or six running backs who could materialize as difference-makers this fall. Ford is the most likely candidate, and this is his chance to separate himself from the group.

Prediction: The Aggies lead the entire game and rely on Keith Ford in the second half. He registers a 100-yard performance on about 20 carries. Texas A&M 45, South Carolina 17.

Week 6- Oct. 8 vs. Tennessee

Last meeting: Tennessee 38, Texas A&M 7 on Jan. 1, 2005

Breakdown: In the past couple seasons, the Volunteers have been prematurely picked to win the SEC East. This season, it’s legitimate. Tennessee’s 2015-16 campaign was similar to the 2012-13 Aggies’ — both were just a couple plays away from a berth to the SEC Championship game.

Nevertheless, UT finished the season as one of the hottest teams in the NCAA with seven wins out of eight games. Tied for the most returning players in the SEC with 17, Tennessee has a real chance at finally busting through and earning a bid to the College Football Playoff.

Key Player: Christian Kirk. As a freshman, Kirk won a couple games for the Aggies. He was also picking up the slack for Speedy Noil, who was undergoing a sophomore slump. For important games like this, Kirk can’t afford to be like last year’s Noil. He will need a fantastic performance to knock off this team.

Prediction: Josh Dobbs brings the Aggies’ momentum to a halt with a solid performance. Christian Kirk makes plays but not enough to win. Tennessee 27, Texas A&M 20.

Week 7 – Oct. 22 at Alabama

Last meeting: Alabama 41, Texas A&M 23 on Oct. 17, 2015

Breakdown: The defending champs appear to have a weaker team heading into this season, but that was said last year too. In the past couple seasons, the quarterbacks following A.J. McCarron’s footsteps won SEC Championships. And it’s not like those quarterbacks were special.

Whether it’s Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett or David Cornwell at quarterback, the Crimson Tide will be a national contender. A spectacular recruiting class reloads the other vacant roster spots, and having the best coach in the country always helps. The last time the Aggies traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, they lost 59-0. There won’t be any of that this time, nor three pick-sixes. But the Crimson Tide still have a large advantage here.

Key Player: Trevor Knight. It’s strange when only one player on a roster has beaten one an annual opponents. Knight can claim that. In the 2014 Sugar Bowl, he led his Oklahoma Sooners to a convincing 45-31 victory over Alabama. It was by far his best game, as he threw four touchdowns for 248 yards on 32-for-44 passing. To defeat the Crimson Tide once again, Knight must have another game of his life.

Prediction: Nothing catastrophic like the previous two matchups occurs, but Trevor Knight plays poorly and throws a few interceptions. Alabama 37, Texas A&M 20.

Week 9 – Oct. 19 vs. New Mexico State

Last meeting: First meeting

Breakdown: Pitting Aggies against Aggies will be the only exciting aspect here. After consecutive losses to perhaps the two best teams in the SEC, A&M receives a much-needed “rest” game. Last season, New Mexico State lost to LSU and Ole Miss by a combined 113-16. The starters should be solidified at this point, so this matchup could serve as a confidence booster for players buried in the depth chart.

Key Player: Daylon Mack. In his freshman campaign, Mack’s load wasn’t overpowering. He received breaks when needed and came off the bench. This go-around, the five-star recruit has a much higher expectation. It will be interesting to see Mack’s health status midway through the season, as his worst quality is stamina.

Prediction: Texas A&M takes the title for the best Aggies in the land. It will be no contest, and A&M should produce its highest scoring output. Texas A&M 62, New Mexico State 3.

Week 9 – Nov. 5 at Mississippi  State

Last meeting: Texas A&M 30, Mississippi State 17 on Oct. 3, 2015

Breakdown: Dak Prescott leaving the Bulldogs was kind of like LeBron James leaving Cleveland, except no one is burning Prescott’s jersey. Mississippi State simply took a massive hit. To contextualize Prescott’s importance, he was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher by over 150 yards.

Only one All-SEC player, Fred Ross, returns for his senior season. The defense also endured casualties, as defensive coordinator Manny Diaz took a job at Miami and defensive line coach David Turner joined the Aggies. With its one-player offense plus De’Runnya Wilson gone, along with the struggle of rebuilding its defense, MSU doesn’t stand a chance in the SEC West.

Key Player: Priest Willis. There’s a chance Willis won’t start at the beginning, as Deshawn Capers-Smith is competing well with the transfer this offseason. However, Willis should have the job locked up this late in the season. A&M’s only concern should be Fred Ross. If the Aggies can keep him in check, there will be nothing to worry about.

Prediction: Since the Aggies can beat Dak Prescott by two touchdowns, this game should double that margin. Not much cowbell in this one. Texas A&M 41, Mississippi State 13.

Week 10 – Nov. 12 vs. Ole Miss

Last meeting: Ole Miss 23, Texas A&M 3 on Oct. 24, 2015

Breakdown: Ole Miss is similar to UCLA since it returns arguably the best quarterback in the SEC, Chad Kelly, but he lost his supporting cast. His two best playmakers, Jaylen Walton and Laquon Treadwell, are gone. And his best player, Laremy Tunsil, departed for the NFL Draft. The defense lost its stars as well.

In total, Ole Miss has the fewest returning starters in the SEC with nine. Still, Kelly’s arm can steal a game or two in the SEC like Dak Prescott did. He will have a tough time doing so against the Aggies’ top-20 defense. And although last year seemed like a blowout, Kelly struggled with three interceptions.

Key Player: Armani Watts. Against the Rebels in 2015, Watts was a major reason A&M stayed in until the end. His 20 tackles tied for fifth most in A&M history, and he also blocked a punt and intercepted Kelly. With Kelly’s best talent gone, another game at this level from Watts will be enough to beat Ole Miss.

Prediction: The Aggie defense wins another game for Trevor Knight, who plays it safe and doesn’t turn it over. Texas A&M 24, Ole Miss 16.

Week 11 – Nov. 19 vs. University of Texas at San Antonio

Last meeting: First meeting

Breakdown: With new coach Frank Wilson at the helm, UTSA will try to pull off what Arkansas State did against A&M in 2008. At this point in the season, the Roadrunners will most likely be out of bowl contention, making this one their “Super Bowl.” A&M might take it easy as well, since it has LSU slated five days later. This game will be the closest out of all the non-conference cupcakes, but it will still be a blowout.

Key Player: Daeshon Hall. LSU’s Leonard Fournette could be the one hoisting the Heisman trophy in December, so it’s important for Hall to be looking forward to the matchup five days later. Coaches don’t like the “looking forward” philosophy, but Hall’s injuries early in his career prevented A&M’s defense from advancing as a unit. Also, defending the run is the Aggies’ biggest issue. Don’t take this one too seriously, Dae-Dae.

Prediction: The Roadrunners never threaten but keep it closer, as previously mentioned. No serious injuries in this one, as Kevin Sumlin will play it carefully with LSU in less than a week. Texas A&M 52, UTSA 13.

Week 12 – Nov. 24 vs. LSU

Last meeting: LSU 19, Texas A&M 7 on Nov. 28, 2015

Breakdown: The Aggies have to be kicking themselves after last year. If A&M simply defeated LSU, there’s a good chance Les Miles would have been fired. The same setup could occur this year if LSU produces another let-down season, but that’s highly unlikely. Regardless, the one SEC West team that A&M hasn’t defeated since joining the conference is LSU.

Another aspect of this season finale is that it’s yet to mean anything. If either team can come in with two losses or fewer, this should finally be a meaningful game. LSU should be the one in that position – 1^st in the SEC with 17 starters coming back, including a star at running back. Even if these teams aren’t in that position, Leonard Fournette could be the favorite for the Heisman.

Key Player: Myles Garrett. This will without a doubt be Garrett’s last game at Kyle Field, and he will need to come up huge. LSU’s passing attack will likely be ineffective as usual, which Garrett can ensure with his playmaking ability. But the most important task for Garrett here is stopping the run.

At times the last couple years, A&M’s struggle against the run has started with Myles Garrett. It certainly did against Auburn and even South Carolina in 2015. If Garrett can contain the outside and stay disciplined, A&M has a chance at finally defeating LSU in front of its 105,000 fans.

Prediction: Leonard Fournette adds another 100-yard performance to his collection, but the Aggies do a solid job containing him. Even so, Trevor Knight can’t do enough to win and the Aggies again fall short against the Tigers. LSU 23, Texas A&M 17.