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Kirk Herbstreit Reveals Most Complete College Football Program and It's Not Ohio State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 1:25 PM ET

Key Points

Ohio State has remained No. 1 since beating Texas in Week 1.
Kirk Herbstreit praised another contender as the most complete team.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has thrown for 1,972 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have held the top ranking in college football since they claimed it by defeating the preseason No. 1 Texas Longhorns 14-7 in Week 1 of the season.

Kirk Herbstreit from ESPN, an Ohio State alum, believes that the Buckeyes are the top team in the country. However, he also thinks there might be a more complete team out there. On the "Nonstop" podcast, Herbstreit mentioned that the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies (8-0) could be that team. Their quarterback, Marcel Reed, has had an impressive season, throwing for 1,972 yards, with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Aggies have achieved two major victories this season. In Week 3, they beat the then-No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 41-40 on the road. Later, in Week 9, they secured a 49-25 road victory over the then-No. 20 LSU Tigers.

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs.Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

"His football team continues to, in my opinion, be as complete as any team in college football with offense, defense and special teams," Herbstreit said.

To support Herbstreit's argument, Texas A&M has demonstrated strength in all three phases of the game this season. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Aggies rank No. 10 in overall efficiency, No. 12 in offense, No. 19 in defense, and No. 64 in special teams efficiency.

Texas A&M has only two currently ranked opponents left on its schedule for the season. This weekend, the Aggies will take on the No. 19 Missouri Tigers on the road. They will conclude the year against the No. 20 Texas Longhorns. If the Aggies manage to win both games, Herbstreit's statement could become a reality, and they might prove to be the most complete team in college football.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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