Oklahoma and Texas A&M Renew Hostilities as Conference Foes in November

The worst possible scenario occurred when linebacker Daymion Sanford went down with a severe leg injury in Texas A&M's spring game on April 18. The injury came with a few minutes to go in the game and Sanford was carried off the field on a stretcher after having his leg rolled-up on in a pile.

Sanford has seen action in all three seasons in College Station. He became a starter and a focal point in a ferocious Aggie defense. He was named a captain coming into his senior season.

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According to CBSSports' Matt Zenitz, Sanford will “likely miss at least part of the season," meaning there could be a chance Sanford is back on the field against the Sooners when they travel to Norman on November 21.

Considering A&M lost a bit of talent to the NFL at linebacker, Sanford's loss is significant — but the Aggies are overflowing with talent waiting for their opportunity. Last season, Sanford had 57 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

In addition, A&M has dealt with minor injuries to their pass catchers during spring ball. Terry Bussey and Asthon Bethel-Roman went down during spring practices but aren't expected to miss much time moving forward.

Aggie Strength

Despite Elko being known as a defensive minded coach, the Aggies will once again put an explosive and exicitng offense on the field in 2026.

KC Concepcion is gone to the NFL, but Mario Craver and Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton — who posted big catches in pivotal moments against the Sooners in the College Football Playoff — will be threats downfield.

Post-Spring Oklahoma Opponent Breakdowns

• Georgia Bulldogs
• Texas Longhorns
• Kentucky Wildcats
• Mississippi State Bulldogs
• South Carolina Gamecocks
• Florida Gators
• Ole Miss Rebels

It will come down to quarterback Marcel Reed's ability to be consistent. He has shown big-play ability and is capable of being one of the more explosive signal callers in the country. But Reed struggled in A&M's two biggest games against Texas and Miami in the College Football Playoff with turnovers.

If Reed has a bounce back season, A&M factors heavily not only in the SEC race, but the national championship race.

The Final Verdict

If Ole Miss is a playoff springboard game, then A&M represents a de facto play-in game for both programs — should both teams have at most two losses by that time.

The Aggies will have a difficult road on the way to a matchup in Norman. They host Arizona State in September, and go on the road to face LSU, Missouri, Alabama before hosting Tennessee the week before they face the Sooners.

Needless to say, each team will be tested, bruised and fighting for their lives.

Whereas OU's schedule is front loaded, their second half of opponents appears to be a steady build up to A&M.