Mike Elko is still not ready to yank Marcel Reed, but the conversation around Texas A&M’s quarterback situation has clearly changed.
The Aggies’ offense has cratered to the point that fans are pushing harder than ever for a switch under center. Reed remains the focal point of that frustration, even if the issues in College Station go beyond one player. Still, quarterback is the biggest spot on the field, and with the roster talent Texas A&M has, the idea is simple: get that position right, and a lot of other problems could start to clean themselves up.
The catch is that the alternatives are thin. Behind Reed sits redshirt freshman Brady Hart, who already reclassified up a year, along with true freshman Helaman Casuga. That’s not exactly an ideal safety net, which is why Elko has continued to hold the line.
But his wording has softened.
When asked about turning to Hart, Elko said, "I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like it’s the move that will help us."
That is not a green light for a quarterback change. It is not even close. But it is a different response than the one he gave after the Kentucky game, when he plainly said he was not considering benching Reed for Hart.
Maybe that means he’s rethinking things. Maybe it just reflects a coach worn down by how badly the last few weeks have gone. Either way, the stance sounds a little less absolute than it did before.
Texas A&M’s next game against The Citadel could create a natural opening to see more of Hart if the staff wants to make that kind of move. On paper, it should be an easy matchup for the maroon and white, which gives the Aggies a chance to evaluate what Hart can do in game action.
That won’t prove he can handle tougher defenses, but it would at least offer a useful comparison. If Hart can look more effective than Reed against a lower-level opponent, that matters. If he can’t, that matters too.
With the Playoff no longer in play, Texas A&M has a little more room to think about the future. At this point, a move toward a younger quarterback is less about salvaging this season and more about figuring out what comes next, even if that comes with some pain for Aggies fans in the short term.
In Other News...
Baylor Finally Has A Chance To Change This TCU Rivalry Script
Baylor heads into this week with a chance to do something it has had trouble doing in this rivalry: carry the favorites label into a meeting with TCU and make it mean something. The buildup around the game has centered on Baylors offense and defense working together, with players and coaches stressing how difficult TCU can be on that side of the ball and how important it is for Baylor to stay patient, physical and organized from the opening series.
For the Bears, the challenge is less about style points than control. A fast start on the ground, a steady pace and a game that stays low-scoring are all part of the formula Baylor believes can tilt the matchup its way, especially against a TCU defense that has been stubborn all season. It gives this rivalry a different feel than usual, with Baylor trying to set the terms instead of reacting to them. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Comes Out Of The Bye Facing A Big 12 Gut Check
Baylor heads into its matchup with TCU in a familiar spot for this point in the season: riding momentum and trying to keep it going. The Bears are 4-1 and have piled up big margins in recent wins, a sign that the offense and defense have both been doing enough to separate early and settle games before they get uncomfortable. A week off gave Baylor time to reset, but it also put the focus squarely on what comes next against a conference opponent that has been searching for answers.
TCU arrives in Waco after back-to-back losses and with the benefit of its own bye week to regroup. The Horned Frogs are 2-3 and know this trip carries more weight than an ordinary midseason game, especially with both teams trying to make a statement in Big 12 play. Coaches and players on both sides have talked about preparation and the need to be ready, and the next step for Baylor is to see whether its early rhythm can hold up when the conference grind tightens again. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Should Be Watching Josh Cameron A Lot More Closely
A former Baylor walk-on kept turning up in meaningful moments for Jacksonvilles latest win, the kind of performance that makes alumni and Baylor fans take notice. Josh Cameron was involved on offense and on special teams, giving the Jaguars a useful spark while another former Bear, Terrel Bernard, logged seven tackles in Buffalos win and James Lynch chipped in during Chicagos victory over Green Bay.
Camerons night was especially notable because his impact went beyond a few routine touches, with his work on special teams helping tilt the finish in Jacksonvilles favor. For Baylor followers, it is another reminder that the Bears continue to have players making their mark around the league, even if the bigger question around a separate former Houston defender still hangs over the week as he works through an injury evaluation. [Read more 🡒]