Texas A&M comes off the bye week still looking for answers on both sides of the ball, hoping the added rest leads to cleaner play on offense, with senior quarterback Marcel Reed likely continuing as the starter for the final four games of the regular season. Next up, the Aggies will face No. 21 South Carolina in Columbia for the first time since 2024.

Last season, Texas A&M's epic 31-30 comeback win over the Gamecocks was one for the record books: the Aggies trailed 30-3 at halftime, then pulled off the unthinkable, nearly costing South Carolina coach Shane Beamer his job. However, both programs are on completely different trajectories, and at 4-4 and 1-4 in SEC play, Texas A&M is simply playing spoiler for the remainder of the year.

The Gamecocks are riding a three-game winning streak, including ranked wins over Florida and Tennessee, while last Saturday's 45-25 road blowout over Oklahoma sent a clear message to the rest of the conference. However, a rested Texas A&M team with absolutely nothing to lose shouldn't be taken lightly.

It's hard to say what the Aggies will look like after the bye, but the good news is that freshman running back KJ Edwards will return to the starting lineup after suffering a leg contusion against Alabama. Ahead of Saturday's showdown, here are our final predictions for Texas A&M vs. South Carolina in Week 10.

Cameron Ohnysty — Lead Writer

We've reached the point in the season where expectations are a thing of the past, and the hope is that the Aggies can put together a solid performance on both sides of the ball.

Mike Elko has continued his support for senior quarterback Marcel Reed, who will make his ninth start of the season and likely won't look any different after the bye. Still, first-year OC Holmon Wiggins will focus on the ground game, hoping KJ Edwards and sophomore Jamarion Morrow provide a steady 1-2 punch.

Texas A&M's defense will have its hands full vs. senior quarterback LaNorris Sellers, needing to contain the veteran dual-threat, which will require more from the Aggie pass rush, which has produced just seven sacks this season. If Sellers can't be contained, it's hard to see a world where A&M's offense can keep up.

Until the Aggies prove otherwise, this is South Carolina's game to lose.

Dylan Flippo — Contributor

Last year, Texas A&M mounted a 28-point comeback to defeat South Carolina at Kyle Field. In that contest, quarterback Marcel Reed’s three turnovers allowed the Gamecocks to capitalize and go up big, putting the Aggies’ undefeated season in jeopardy.

Fast forward to 2026, South Carolina is one of the hottest teams in the nation, coming off three consecutive SEC wins, two of which were over ranked opponents. 

Edge rusher Dylan Stewart is wreaking havoc again, LaNorris Sellers is showing the signs we expected over the last two years, and Shane Beamer is on one of his best streaks as a head coach yet. 

It’s difficult to see a path where the Aggies pull out a win in one of the most hostile college football environments in the country, against a team as hot as South Carolina.

If Texas A&M wants to pull off the major upset, they need consistent play from Reed throughout the contest, which we haven't seen this season.

Jarrett Johnson — Contributor

Texas A&M desperately needs a conference victory after losing four of its first five SEC games. The Aggies showed they could compete with Alabama for three quarters, but their inability to sustain drives in the fourth prevented them from completing the upset.

South Carolina presents another difficult road environment. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers gives the Gamecocks a dual-threat option who can extend plays, while their recent victories over Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma suggest Shane Beamer's team is finding its rhythm.

A&M's best opportunity is to establish the running game with KJ Edwards and Rueben Owens II while limiting Marcel Reed's turnovers. The defense has shown it can compete against talented opponents, but the offense must provide more consistent support.

The Aggies should benefit from an extra week of preparation, and I expect a competitive game. However, South Carolina's recent offensive production and home-field advantage make the Gamecocks difficult to pick against.