The Aggies schedule is quite different in structure compared to the previous years in the SEC. The 2016 season sees two of their easier out-of-conference games scheduled for later in the year, almost like a breather through the SEC schedule. They’ve certainly followed the tradition of the SEC for scheduling a “cupcake” opponent before the final regular season game. The other main difference is that there is no brutal stretch of games in the middle of the season, the toughest run are the four SEC games in a row against Auburn, Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee in back-to-back weeks but that is far less formidable than other seasons.
2016 Texas A&M Aggies Schedule
Saturday, September 3rd: UCLA Bruins at home
Once again the Aggies kick off the season with a non-conference game against a PAC-12 opponent with A&M visiting UCLA to start the 2017 season. This will be a tough game against a Josh Rosen-led offense, while the Aggies have hired former UCLA offensive co-ordinator Noel Mazzone.
Saturday, September 10th: Prairie View A&M at home
The standard FCS opponent early in the year is a nice break between a tough season opener and their first SEC game of 2016 at Auburn.
Saturday, September 17th: Auburn Tigers on the road
Without a doubt, the Aggies’ most disappointing loss from last season was at home to a six-win Auburn team that wouldn’t have been bowl eligible without that win. The John Chavis -led defense had no answer for the Auburn running game, so this will provide a good test early on.
Saturday, September 24th: Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium, Dallas
The annual game at AT&T Stadium is technically an Aggie home game this year. After producing two late come from behind victories in the previous games, the Razorbacks will more than likely be desperate for revenge here.
Saturday, October 1st: South Carolina Gamecocks on the road
Currently, the Gamecocks are the Aggies permanent schedule partner from the SEC East. A new coaching staff led by Will Muschamp is in place for the Gamecocks, but it remains to be seen how much of an impact he will have in year one. It is a road game the Aggies will need to win to be competitive in the SEC West.
Saturday, October 8th: Tennessee Volunteers at home
The Volunteers are a trendy pick to win the SEC East in 2016, as they’ve slowly improved under Butch Jones in recent years. The Aggies will provide a stiff test even though they’ve lost the two previous meetings between the sides.
Saturday, October 22nd: Alabama Crimson Tide on the road
This fixture has clearly been scheduled around by Texas A&M. They have a bye leading into this game and an easy non-conference game the week after. Can the Aggies re-kindle the magic of four years ago when Johnny Manziel led them to a dramatic victory and erase the memory of the 59-0 hammering just two years ago?
Saturday, October 29th: New Mexico State Aggies at home
The battle of the Aggies should provide a comfortable victory for Texas A&M in the middle of their SEC schedule.
Saturday, November 5th: Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road
The Bulldogs had a down year last year despite having Dak Prescott back. Now they have to replace their prized quarterback, but Starksville is always a tough place to go and win a game of football regardless of the talent on the field.
Saturday, November 12th: Ole Miss Rebels at home
The Rebels have really taken a step forward under head coach Hugh Freeze , and they’ve comfortably beaten the Aggies the past two seasons. A home game at Kyle Field should give them the best opportunity to break that losing streak.
Saturday, November 19th: UTSA Roadrunners at home
A well-placed out of conference game against in-state opponents from the University of Texas San Antonio who won just three games last year. With LSU coming to College Station just five days later the Aggies will be hoping for a comfortable win to rest the starters early.
Thursday,November 24th: LSU Tigers at home
The only SEC West team that the Aggies have failed to beat since joining the SEC four years ago. A home game on Thanksgiving should give them a good chance against a Tigers program under big pressure to succeed in 2016.
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