Texas A&M vs. UTSA: The Jeff Traylor Reunion Nobody Asked For
Texas A&M’s 2025 season rolls on this week with a matchup against UTSA. Yes, UTSA. The Roadrunners. The team that most casual fans know as “that other program in Texas that sometimes upsets people when you least expect it.” But make no mistake — this isn’t some cupcake game where the Aggies roll out of bed, score 60 points, and go home.
UTSA has a real coach. A real system. And they’ve got enough talent to make this game closer than Aggie fans are comfortable admitting.
The Jeff Traylor Angle
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Jeff Traylor.
Not long ago, this guy was whispered as a real candidate for the Texas A&M head coaching job. Aggie message boards were buzzing. “He’s a Texas high school legend!” they said. “He’s built UTSA into a contender!” they said. “He eats breakfast tacos with recruits’ moms!” they said.
And for about two weeks, it was totally believable. Then the coaching search veered toward splashier names, and Traylor went back to San Antonio like the cool uncle who gets invited to the wedding but never quite makes the rehearsal dinner.
But make no mistake: the dude can coach. And you better believe he circled this game on his calendar with a giant Sharpie. He doesn’t need to win to make his point. He just needs to keep it close and remind Aggie fans, “Hey, remember when you thought I was the answer?”
Why UTSA is Dangerous
Look, UTSA isn’t some pushover program with 40 guys who got cut from intramural flag football. They’re consistent. They win. They’ve recruited well under Traylor, and they don’t shy away from playing bigger opponents.
They’ve got speed on offense. They run creative looks. And their defense? Sneaky tough. No, they’re not Alabama. But they’re also not the 2012 version of New Mexico State. They can and will punch you in the mouth if you’re sleepwalking.
For A&M, this is the classic “prove you’re not sleepwalking” game. Play sharp, and it’s comfortable. Play sloppy, and suddenly you’re in a one-score game in the fourth quarter wondering why UTSA’s tight end has seven catches for 110 yards.
What Texas A&M Needs to Do
Let the Big Uglies eat
The offensive line has to set the tone early. You don’t want UTSA hanging around because you decided to play pass-happy football with no rhythm. This is a trench game. Win up front, dominate possession, and you’ll wear them down.Marcel Reed: Avoid the dumb turnover
Reed doesn’t need to be Superman here. He just needs to be Clark Kent with a good completion percentage. Take what the defense gives you, don’t force it, and let your playmakers — KC Concepcion, Mario Craver, Le’Veon Moss — do the heavy lifting.Defensive Focus
UTSA thrives on misdirection and tempo. The Aggies’ defense needs to stay disciplined, especially in the secondary. This isn’t the game to bite on every fake and give up free touchdowns.
The Vibes Check
This game has “awkward” written all over it. A&M fans will show up expecting to flex their SEC muscles. UTSA fans will show up with nothing to lose and everything to prove. And Jeff Traylor? He’ll be coaching like it’s the Super Bowl, because in his world, this is exactly that.
The Roadrunners won’t roll over. They won’t die quietly. They’ll scrap, claw, and annoy the absolute life out of you for four quarters.
Prediction
Texas A&M has more depth, more size, and more talent. That’s undeniable. But UTSA has enough fight to keep it from being the laugher some people want it to be.
Final Score: Texas A&M 38, UTSA 24
The Aggies control most of the game but never quite slam the door until late in the fourth quarter. The Roadrunners leave Kyle Field with a moral victory. The Aggies leave with a nervous laugh and the realization that UTSA is a tougher out than anyone wants to admit.
