Mike Elko Signs New Texas A&M Deal: 2025 College Football Week 12 Buzz
College football is buzzing as we head into Week 12 of the season. Here’s a roundup of the latest news and developments around the league.
Mike Elko Signs New Texas A&M Deal
Texas A&M is securing its head coach, Mike Elko, with a new six-year contract that increases his annual salary by $3 million. This brings his total compensation to $10 million per year. Elko is in his second season with the Aggies, who are currently ranked No. 3 in the country with a perfect record of 9-0. Under his leadership, Texas A&M’s overall record stands at 17-5.
Elko’s Previous Experience and Influence
Before taking over as head coach at Texas A&M, Elko served as the head coach at Duke from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M from 2018 to 2021. His performance this season has made him a sought-after candidate, including speculation linking him to the head coach position at Penn State.
Ohio State Faces Injuries Ahead of Key Matchup
Ohio State will face UCLA without wide receiver Carnell Tate, who is sidelined due to an unspecified but minor injury. This is Tate’s second consecutive game out, prompting the team to rely on other receivers in their upcoming game.
UCLA’s Quarterback Situation
UCLA’s starting quarterback, Iamaleava, also misses the game due to a concussion sustained in Week 11. Redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan will step in as the starting QB for this matchup against Ohio State.
Other Notable Quarterback Changes
- Wisconsin: True freshman QB Smith will make his first collegiate start after the team’s starting quarterback suffered a leg injury.
- Virginia: Starting QB Morris is expected to return for the game against Duke after recovering from a head injury.
- Florida: QB DJ Lagway continues as the starter, despite being benched during a recent game against Kentucky.
Injury Reports and Stats
For context on the quarterbacks:
| Player | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iamaleava (UCLA) | 1,659 | 12 | 7 |
| Morris (Virginia) | 2,088 | 12 | 5 |
| Lagway (Florida) | 1,762 | 11 | 12 |
Coaching Changes and Speculations
Penn State is actively seeking a new head coach following the dismissal of James Franklin. Notably, former NFL coach Brian Daboll is a candidate for the position, generating interest due to his ties to the university.
Other Candidates for Penn State
Potential replacements for Daboll include:
- Will Klein from Oregon
- Brian Hartline from Ohio State
- Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald
Injury Setbacks Impacting Teams
Kansas State announced that linebacker Austin Romaine will miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a hand injury. Romaine had recorded 66 tackles and one interception this season before opting for surgery.
This week promises to be eventful as teams navigate key injuries and prepare for crucial matchups. Keep following El-Balad for the latest updates on college football.
