Texas A&M is not treating last season like a finish line.
The Aggies turned in a near-undefeated regular season and reached the College Football Playoff, a standard that would look like a breakthrough anywhere else. In College Station, it has become the baseline. Now entering Year 3 under head coach Mike Elko, the program is still carrying the edge that comes from not ending the year the way it wanted.
That mindset was on display from Mario Craver ahead of Saturday’s season opener, and the returning wideout made it clear the locker room hasn’t moved on from last year’s ending.
"We know last year, we didn’t get to finish the way we wanted to,” Craver said of the team having a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality. “So everything we do, even in practice, the last period in practice now this year is competitive period.”
For Craver, though, the frustration isn’t just about the team’s finish. It’s also about pushing past the idea of personal milestones. After a breakout sophomore season, the junior receiver could have easily talked about chasing numbers after coming up just short of 1,000 yards and missing out on being named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best receiver in college football.
Instead, he pointed the conversation in a different direction.
“I don’t really have any ideal stats. The ball’s going to go where it needs to go,” Craver said.
Reed‘s going to get it to whoever needs the ball. National championship is an ideal season for me.”
Craver also made it clear Texas A&M isn’t staring too far down the road. However difficult the path may look on paper, the focus inside the program is locked on the next opponent and nothing else.
"We’re looking toward the next game. Right now, we’re looking at Missouri State,” Craver said.
“Next week, we’ll be looking at Arizona State. We’re taking it game by game.”
That march begins Saturday, when Texas A&M hosts Missouri State at Kyle Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
In Other News...
Texas A&M Just Got Snubbed Again In A Ranking Fans Wont Ignore
Roman Harpers latest SEC Network list of the conferences top 10 players gave Texas A&M another reminder of how often the Aggies can get lost in the broader league conversation. The ranking included three players from Texas but none from Texas A&M, even though the Aggies have a handful of names who have done enough to at least force the discussion, including Marcel Reed, Mario Craver, Anto Saka and Marcus Ratcliffe.
The omission stands out even more when stacked against the way some outside evaluators have viewed A&M this offseason. ESPNs top 100 list included only one Aggie, with Mario Craver landing at No. 86, and that split between media rankings and preseason perception has left Texas A&M with a familiar gripe. Whether the Aggies are being overlooked or simply judged differently than some of their SEC peers, it is the kind of slight fans in College Station will not let slide quietly. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Fans Need To Watch This SEC Eligibility Fight
The SECs latest eligibility fight is the kind of off-field battle that can still matter plenty on Saturdays in the league, and Texas A&M fans have reason to keep an eye on it. LSU is pursuing the eligibility of former NFL players to join its college football roster after a Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order, putting the conference in the middle of a dispute that blends roster-building, legal procedure and conference policy.
Lane Kiffin has been outspoken about the SECs attempts to block those players, while critics have also taken aim at LSUs administration for the way it has handled the situation. The SEC is now preparing to challenge the court ruling, so the issue is far from settled, and the next move could shape how this case plays out across the league. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Has A Return Battle Fans Should Be Watching
As Texas A&M gets ready for its season opener, one of the quieter position battles to watch is on punt returns, where Mike Elko is sorting through a new set of options after last years standout, KC Concepcion, moved on to the Cleveland Browns. The Aggies are looking for a reliable answer in a part of the game that can flip field position fast, and Elko has pointed to wide receivers Mario Craver, Terry Bussey and Isaiah Horton as players who could handle the job.
That mix gives Texas A&M plenty of athleticism, but also a little uncertainty as camp winds down. Punt return work can reward sure hands, quick decisions and a knack for making the first man miss, so the staff is still figuring out which of those receivers can bring the most consistency when the pressure starts for real. [Read more 🡒]