Tag: texas A&M aggies

No. 3 Texas A&M visits No. 16 Texas with eye on SEC title game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas A&M is 11-0 for the first time since 1992 and yet it still needs another victory to assure a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game.

The No. 3 Aggies look to clinch in a spot in the conference championship contest when they visit No. 16 Texas on Friday night in Austin.

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko allowed it’s a tough road when your squad can be one of three unbeaten teams nationally and still need to win your final regular-season contest to play in the conference’s marquee game.

“I think the way things broke this year with our schedule inhibited some of our tiebreaker abilities,” Elko said Monday of the club’s 7-0 SEC mark. “It’s going to force us to go 8-0 to get to Atlanta and it is what it is. I think in another year, certainly last year, it wouldn’t have taken the same.

“But that’s just how this conference goes, and so you’ve got a lot of teams playing each other, battling it out. We’re just fortunate to still be in it going into the last weekend of the year again.”

Texas A&M trails only top-ranked Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana in the College Football Playoff poll so the Aggies know they will be part of the playoffs.

In the SEC, Texas A&M is a half-game ahead of No. 4 Georgia (7-1) and one game ahead of No. 7 Ole Miss (6-1) and No. 10 Alabama (6-1).

But beating fierce rival Texas in an intense atmosphere on the road would be a satisfying way to finish off an undefeated SEC slate.

“They’re a really talented football team,” Elko said. “Obviously, anytime you play this game, it’s going to have a little bit of a different energy about it. That will be one of the biggest challenges that comes along with it, and I think it’ll be an exciting opportunity for us Friday night.”

The Longhorns (8-3, 5-2) need a victory to keep their at-large playoff aspirations alive. A loss would signal the end to the pursuit.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t want to discuss whether a win over the Aggies would get the Longhorns into the CFP field.

“I’ll talk about that after the game,” Sarkisian said. “If we’re fortunate enough to win the game, I’ll talk about that after the game because I think that would be a better platform.”

Texas lost its season opener to then-No. 3 Ohio State, had a bad SEC loss to Florida on Oct. 4 and were later drubbed 35-10 by then-No. 5 Georgia on Nov. 15.

The Longhorns, who are in a three-way tie for fifth place in the SEC, remained alive with last weekend’s 52-37 home win over Arkansas.

Quarterback Arch Manning became the first Texas player since the legendary Bobby Layne to record passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same game. Layne accomplished it against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1946.

Manning passed for a season-high 389 yards to go with four passing scores as he accounted for six touchdowns overall, second in Texas history behind Clyde Littlefield (seven in 1915).

Sarkisian, a former college quarterback, said the game has slowed down for Manning.

“I think it has for him,” Sarkisian said. “I think he’s done a really good job of his decision making. He had a couple scrambles the other day where I think Arch early in the year puts his head down and starts barreling forward and maybe gets 2 or 3 more yards.”

Manning has passed for 2,763 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for seven scores.

Texas A&M star quarterback Marcel Reed has thrown for 2,752 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has added six scores on the ground.

Last season, the teams played for the first time since 2011 and the Longhorns notched a 17-7 road win.

–Field Level Media

Marcel Reed leads No. 3 Texas A&M to rout of Samford

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marcel Reed threw three touchdown passes and Amari Daniels ran for 106 yards and a score to lead No. 3 Texas A&M to a dominant 48-0 win over Samford on Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas.

Reed completed 10 of 15 passes for 120 yards and threw his three TD passes during a 21-0 first quarter that put the No. 3 Aggies (11-0) on course for the comfortable victory in their regular-season home finale.

Texas A&M’s defense did the rest, holding the overmatched Bulldogs (1-11) without a first down in the first half and only 25 total yards over the first two quarters. Samford went 0-for-14 on third downs for the game.

After the Bulldogs’ Jake Garner missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt with 1:11 left, Texas A&M had its first shutout since Sept. 3, 2022.

Texas A&M totaled 475 yards and limited Samford to 77 yards and three first downs. It was the first time Texas A&M held an opponent under 100 yards since 1996.

After Daniels ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 12:19 left in the first half, the Aggies began pulling starters, including Reed. Daniels averaged 11.8 yards per carry as he continued to stand out in relief of Le’Veon Moss, who sat out due to an ankle injury.

Ashton Bethel-Roman finished with two catches, both of which went for touchdowns on throws from Reed, for 61 yards. Teammate KC Concepcion led all receivers with five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Trailing 38-0, Samford finally got a first down with 7:54 left in the third quarter on a hook-and-ladder when Calvin Jones caught a short pass from Quincy Crittendon and flipped it to CJ Evans for a 24-yard gain into Aggies’ territory.

Samford ran the same play again for another first down and put itself in position to try a 41-yard field goal. But Garner’s attempt was blocked by Landon Rink and returned by Jayvon Thomas to the Bulldogs’ 34.

Crittendon completed just 7 of 16 passes for 44 yards, and the Bulldogs mustered only 31 yards rushing. KeShawn Washington provided one of the few highlights with a second-quarter interception of Miles O’Neill.

–Field Level Media

No. 3 Texas A&M edges South Carolina with improbable comeback

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marcel Reed threw three touchdown passes in the third quarter as No. 3 Texas A&M overcame a 27-point halftime deficit to beat South Carolina 31-30 on Saturday in a Southeastern Conference game in College Station, Texas.

Reed completed 22 of 39 passes for 439 yards and three TDs as the Aggies (10-0, 7-0 SEC) completed the improbable comeback over the stunned Gamecocks (3-7, 1-7).

Since 2004, SEC schools were 0-286 when trailing by 27 or more points. The comeback is the largest in Texas A&M history.

After the disaster of a first half, in which Reed had three costly turnovers, Reed threw scoring passes to Izaiah Williams (27 yards), Ashton Bethel-Roman (39 yards) and Nate Boerkircher (14 yards).

In the fourth quarter, Reed drove the Aggies 98 yards in 10 plays, with EJ Smith rushing 4 yards to give the Aggies their first lead at 31-30 and what proved to be the game-winner.

Everything that could go wrong did for the Aggies in the first half. The Gamecocks outgained them 312-132, including 108 to minus-9 on the ground.

The teams traded field goals early before the Gamecocks took control.

LaNorris Sellers, who threw for 246 yards, drove the Gamecocks 75 yards in six plays for the first touchdown. Sellers found Vandrevius Jacobs along the left sideline for a touchdown and a 10-3 South Carolina lead.

Reed dropped back on second down from his own 27 and had Dylan Stewart in his face. He fumbled as he tried to dump the ball off, and Nick Barrett scooped it and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown and a 17-3 lead at the end of one quarter.

A William Joyce 41-yard field goal made it 20-3 South Carolina when the Texas A&M offense started clicking.

Reed completed a 24-yard pass to Rueben Owens to the South Carolina 14. On the next play, however, Reed underthrew a pass in the end zone, and Vicari Swain made his first interception to squash the threat.

Sellers made the Aggies pay in just one play. He found Nyck Harbor open in the right flat. Harbor shook two defenders and outsprinted everyone to the end zone for an 80-yard touchdown and a 27-3 South Carolina lead.

Two plays later, Swain intercepted Reed again on an overthrown ball and returned it to the Texas A&M 23.

The turnover led to a 35-yard Joyce field goal and a 30-3 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

No. 3 Texas A&M not about to overlook South Carolina

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko knows better than to look past South Carolina when the No. 3 Aggies take the field Saturday at College Station, Texas.

For starters, the Aggies (9-0, 6-0 SEC) were smashed 44-20 by the Gamecocks (3-6, 1-6) last season after they were outscored 24-0 in the second half.

“Every Saturday, you’re at risk in this conference,” said Elko, whose Aggies’ teams have been ranked in the AP Top 25 in 19 of the 22 games he has been coach.. “That’s just the way it is. So we have to go play — regardless of what their record is — a really talented football team on Saturday.”

The Aggies, though, have looked nothing like the team that was embarrassed by the Gamecocks last season. Texas A&M leads the FBS in road wins over ranked opponents with three: Notre Dame, LSU. Missouri.

A 38-17 victory at Missouri last Saturday came on 221 yards passing from quarterback Marcel Reed, with two touchdowns. Rueben Owens II rushed for 102 yards and two scores. Elko will push for even more against South Carolina, including from a defense that allowed 77 total passing yards.

“It’s the same (Gamecocks) team that beat us by (24) points last year and really embarrassed us up and down the field,” Elko said. “If any of our players or anyone thinks it’s going to be anything different than that, they’re crazy.”

It doesn’t sound as if Elko will simply lean into the fact that Texas A&M is 9-0 for the first time since 1992 when R.C. Slocum’s Aggies posted a perfect 12-0 regular season. The Aggies are also 6-0 in SEC play for the first time since joining the conference in 2012.

Texas A&M’s No. 3 ranking in the CFP is their highest. The top four teams in the final CFP rankings would earn a bye into the quarterfinals, but an immediate goal is that Texas A&M’s can reach 10 wins for the first time since 2012 and the 13th time in its history.

Reed has thrown for two or more touchdowns in three straight games and has at least two passing scores in seven of the nine games this season. The sophomore ranks No. 21 nationally in total offense with 285.7 yards per game while averaging eight yards per play.

South Carolina still has quarterback LaNorris Sellers leading the way. Sellers scorched Texas A&M last season for 244 yards and two touchdowns through the air and another 106 yards and a score on the ground.

The early Heisman Trophy hopeful has slumped this season to only seven touchdown passes with five interceptions and has rushed for 158 yards with three more scores.

The Aggies will be the Gamecocks’ fifth straight opponent ranked No. 14 or better in the AP poll. South Carolina has lost to LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ole Miss so far during the daunting run.

The Gamecocks led then-No. 4 Alabama by eight points late on Oct. 25 before falling apart in the final three minutes of a 29-22 loss.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer knows the Gamecocks have their work cut out for them.

“(Texas A&M) is a team that, in my opinion, is playing better than any team in the nation,” Beamer said. “They are clicking on all cylinders.”

Beamer made significant changes over the team’s bye week, firing offensive coordinator Mike Shula and offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley. South Carolina is last in the SEC in scoring (19.7 points per game), total offense (294.1 yards) and rushing offense (100.8 yards).

“There have been some take out, but there has also been some additions,” Beamer said. “Certainly, there’s different voices in there now leading the way.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers running back Harlem Berry (22) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

No. 3 Texas A&M dominates 2nd half at No. 20 LSU to remain unbeaten

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marcel Reed threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores, KC Concepcion caught one of the scoring passes and added a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown and No. 3 Texas A&M routed No. 20 LSU 49-25 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Reed rushed for 108 yards, passed for 202 and overcame two interceptions as the Aggies (8-0, 5-0 SEC) outscored LSU 35-7 in the second half.

Garrett Nussmeier completed 22 of 35 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown and was sacked five times as the Tigers (5-3, 2-3) lost for the third time in four games.

Texas A&M received the second-half kickoff, drove down the field and scored on Reed’s 5-yard run to regain the lead, 21-18. LSU’s ensuing possession ended with a punt, which Concepcion returned for a touchdown to make it 28-18.

Reed’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Jamarion Morrow pushed the lead to 35-18 at the end of the third quarter. Nate Boerkircher ran 1 yard for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Morrow added an 11-yard touchdown run.

Michael Van Buren Jr. replaced Nussmeier and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Parker with 59 seconds left.

Reed ended the Aggies’ first possession of the game with a 41-yard scramble for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Tigers tied the score on the ensuing possession when Nussmeier threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green.

Reed’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Concepcion gave Texas A&M a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

LSU blocked a punt and the ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety that pulled the Tigers within 14-9.

Nussmeier then threw a 41-yard completion to Barion Brown to set up Harlem Berry’s 7-yard touchdown run that gave the Tigers a 15-14 lead.

The Aggies reached midfield on the next possession, but Harold Perkins Jr. intercepted a pass from Reed. That led to Damian Ramos’ 30-yard field goal, which increased LSU’s lead to four points at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

No. 5 Texas A&M holds off Florida to improve to 6-0

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marcel Reed threw for 234 yards and accounted for two touchdowns Saturday night as No. 5 Texas A&M pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 34-17 Southeastern Conference win over Florida in College Station, Texas.

The Aggies (6-0, 3-0) sealed the outcome with 10 points in the fourth quarter. Reuben Owens II scored on a 2-yard run with 4:39 remaining and Randy Bond converted a 22-yard field goal with 1:11 left.

Reed completed 16 of 26 passes with a touchdown and an interception while adding 37 yards and a score on the ground. Texas A&M rolled up 417 total yards and converted 9 of 17 third downs.

DJ Lagway started out hot for the Gators (2-4, 1-2) but cooled off considerably, finishing 21-of-37 passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns. He also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to Bond’s field goal.

Florida totaled 319 yards on offense for the game, just 162 after the first quarter, and was only 1-of-11 on third down.

The first quarter was defense-optional as both teams’ offenses moved at will aside from a 3-and-out on Florida’s second possession. Each offense found the end zone twice, with the Gators going ahead at the 11:08 mark via Lagway’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Amir Jackson.

Texas A&M responded in just two plays — Reed’s 67-yard bomb to Mario Craver and Reed’s 8-yard scoring run. The Aggies then went ahead 14-7 on Reed’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Jamarion Morrow before Lagway hit Dallas Wilson for a 6-yard scoring strike with 3:38 left in the opening quarter.

Le’Veon Moss put the Aggies ahead to stay with a 22-yard touchdown run just 1:56 into the second quarter. His next carry, a 7-yard run on Texas A&M’s next possession, was also his last one. Moss was helped off the field with an apparent left leg injury and didn’t return.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter. Bond connected from 26 yards with 10:50 remaining for the Aggies and Trey Smack answered with a 45-yarder at the 7:15 mark to make it 24-17.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Le'Veon Moss (8) reacts against the LSU Tigers during the third quarter. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

Texas A&M expects to have RB Le’Veon Moss for opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss received a clean bill of health from head coach Mike Elko and will be ready for Saturday night’s season opener against UTSA.

The senior is returning from a season-ending knee injury sustained last November after he had rushed for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games.

“Yeah, Le’Veon’s good to go,” Elko said Tuesday during media availability. “He’s had a really, really strong two weeks and we’re excited to get him back out there and see him perform.”

The No. 19 Aggies have a deep backfield with Rueben Owens II, Amari Daniels and CJ Smith, the son of NFL legend Emmitt Smith.

Moss has rushed for 1,363 yards and 16 touchdowns and has 22 receptions for 233 yards in 25 career games over three seasons in College Station.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) attempts a pass as Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Scooby Williams (0) applies defensive pressure during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

No. 3 Texas baffles No. 20 Texas A&M, lands spot in SEC title game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quinn Ewers passed for 218 yards and a touchdown and No. 3 Texas rode a dominant defensive performance to a berth in the Southeastern Conference championship game, beating No. 20 Texas A&M 17-7 on Saturday night in College Station, Texas.

Quintrevion Wisner rushed for a career-high 186 yards on 33 carries and the Longhorns (11-1, 7-1 SEC) held the Aggies (8-4, 5-3) to 244 total yards of offense to earn a meeting with No. 7 Georgia in the conference title game next Saturday in Atlanta. Texas has won five straight games since a 30-15 home loss to the Bulldogs on Oct. 19.

Marcel Reed passed for just 146 yards but added a team-high 56 rushing yards for Texas A&M, which got its only points from its defense in the first meeting since 2011 between the long-time rivals.

Texas was poised to increase its 17-0 halftime lead, but Ewers’ pass was tipped and Will Lee III intercepted it and ripped off a 93-yard return for a touchdown that pulled the Aggies within 10 with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Ewers drove the Longhorns into scoring position on the ensuing possession, but Cashius Howell knocked the ball loose from him, with the Aggies’ Taurean York recovering the fumble at the Texas A&M 11, keeping the score 17-7 after three quarters.

In the fourth, Jahdae Walker blocked a Texas punt, giving the Aggies the ball at the Longhorns 19. But later, on fourth-and-goal from the Texas 1, Amari Daniels was stopped for a 3-yard loss with 4:36 remaining.

On Texas’ second possession, Ewers drove the Longhorns to the Aggies 15, and on fourth-and-2, Arch Manning replaced him and ran for a touchdown that gave Texas a 7-0 lead.

The Longhorns increased their lead to 14-0 when Ewers threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jaydon Blue with 8:25 to go in the first half.

Bert Auburn kicked a 28-yard field goal before missing a 48-yarder as time expired in the second quarter, leaving Texas with a 17-0 lead at the break.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko walks on the field prior to the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

No. 15 Texas A&M still angling for playoff, must avoid Auburn trip hazard

Posted on | by Field Level Media

You could almost feel the bulletin-board material being pinned up in the Auburn meeting room once the slip-up came off Mike Elko’s tongue.

No. 15 Texas A&M closes the regular season on Nov. 30 with an epic battle with No. 3 Texas that may decide whether the Aggies land a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

But first the Aggies visit Auburn this Saturday in a Southeastern Conference battle.

“When you’re in the situation we’re in, it’s easy to focus on the task at hand,” Elko said, promising Texas A&M wouldn’t look past downtrodden Auburn. “You know, I think those big games earlier in the year, maybe you look ahead, and if we didn’t have what’s at stake, maybe you would worry about it.

“Our focus is single-handedly on Texas. I mean, Auburn right now and locked in on what needs to get done.”

Oops, the split-second of tripping over his words will be a huge postgame talking point if the Aggies (8-2, 5-1 SEC) stumble against the Tigers (4-6, 1-5).

Texas A&M badly needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. SMU (9-1), BYU (9-1) and the Aggies are the first three teams on the outside of the playoff field after Tuesday’s latest projection.

Freshman quarterback Marcel Reed is very aware of what’s at stake entering the pivotal stretch.

“Obviously, we’re going to go into practice and prepare for this team like it’s the biggest game of the year,” Reed said of Auburn. “And we got to win out. And this is just another step in the way we want to go.”

Reed passed for a season-high 268 yards along with two touchdowns as the Aggies rolled to a 38-3 home win over New Mexico State last weekend.

Defensive end Nic Scourton continues to have a big year on the defensive side with 14 tackles for loss, including five sacks.

Auburn (4-6, 1-5) doesn’t have any playoff scenarios to ponder as the program tries to avoid a fourth consecutive losing season. After the clash with the Aggies, the Tigers close the regular season at Alabama on Nov. 30.

But first, Auburn has to beat Texas A&M or the losing season goes into the books.

“Can’t wait,” Tigers coach Hugh Freeze said. “It’ll be a tall task. They’re extremely talented. It will be a good test for us.”

Auburn will rely on standout running back Jarquez Hunter, who had 102 yards in last week’s 48-14 rout of Louisiana-Monroe.

Hunter’s 11th career 100-yard outing pushed his season total to 1,015 yards. He ranks sixth all-time in Auburn history with 3,185 career rushing yards. Legendary Bo Jackson is No. 1 with 4,303.

“It’s very special to me,” Hunter said of his first 1,000-yard season. “I tried to work in the offseason, I planned for this moment. I couldn’t do it without the help of the O-line, tight ends and receivers doing a great job blocking and making sure I get to where I need to be.

“I executed off their blocks. It’s very special to add to the great running backs who have been here before me, to be part of one of them.”

Quarterback Payton Thorpe threw five touchdown passes against ULM, including three to receiver Cam Coleman. Thorpe has passed for 2,111 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Keldric Faulk (seven sacks) and Jalen McLeod (six sacks) have been standouts for an Auburn defense that is tied for 18th in scoring defense at 18.7 points per game.

Texas A&M notched a 27-10 home win over the Tigers last season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (center) celebrates with teammates after the win over Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

No. 14 Texas A&M aims to continue ‘growth’ vs. Mississippi State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Texas A&M is riding high after a quality win, but the 14th-ranked Aggies don’t want to slip up Saturday afternoon when they visit Mississippi State in Southeastern Conference action in Starkville, Miss.

The Aggies (5-1, 3-0) are coming off their best win of the season — a 41-10 throttling of then-No. 9 Missouri on Oct. 5. Le’Veon Moss ran for a career-high 138 yards and three touchdowns against the previously undefeated Tigers, helping his team move up from No. 25 in the AP Top 25.

“We are in a growth mindset. … We are trying to grow every single day,” said Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, whose team had a bye last week.

Moss ranks second in the SEC and 17th nationally in rushing yards per game (101.5), although it certainly helps create space when Conner Weigman is as effective as he was against Missouri (18 of 22 for a season high 276 yards).

Meanwhile, Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3) is in the midst of a gauntlet against top-15 teams. The Bulldogs lost to No. 1 Texas 35-13 on Sept. 28 and then came up short against No. 5 Georgia 41-31 last weekend — both games coming on the road. Now the Bulldogs are back home, but they’re taking on a third straight ranked foe and looking to avoid their sixth straight defeat.

Michael Van Buren Jr. fared well against Georgia, throwing for 306 yards with three touchdowns in a competitive loss. Kelly Akharaiyi reeled in two scoring strikes, while Kevin Coleman Jr. led the receiving corps with eight grabs for 103 yards.

“They answered the challenge, they answered the bell,” said Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby, whose team is starting a true freshman (Van Buren) at quarterback after losing starter Blake Shapen (shoulder) for the season. “I hate that we’re sitting here disappointed, frustrated, that we’re not on the right side of it. But our guys are continuing to fight like heck for each other. And I’m proud of them.”

The Bulldogs actually became the first team since Tennessee in 2016 to score at least 30 points against Georgia in Athens.

“I think they’re starting to find an identity,” Elko said.

On defense, Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith likely will be a focus of the Texas A&M game plan. Smith ranks second in the SEC with 56 tackles, which is good for 12th nationally.

For the Aggies, defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe is a key contributor with three interceptions in the last five games, while Nic Scourton leads Texas A&M with 4.5 sacks.

From a big-picture perspective, the two programs essentially have gone through opposite seasons to this point. Mississippi State won its opener before losing five in a row, while Texas A&M dropped its first game against then-No. 7 Notre Dame before winning five straight contests.

Texas A&M lost two consecutive meetings with Mississippi State before rolling to a 51-10 victory in last year’s matchup. Still, the Aggies have lost four of their last five road meetings with the Bulldogs.

“We’re not very good in Starkville as a program,” Elko said. “That certainly is something we’re very aware of. So we’re going to have to play our best football to have success on Saturday.”

–Field Level Media