Johnny Manziel didn’t sugarcoat what Texas A&M looks like right now.
After the Aggies got blasted 35-6 at LSU last week, the former Texas A&M star fired off a blunt warning on X, telling his old program, "Better do some soul searching or you're going to be the (expletive) of the SEC this year boys," Manziel wrote on X.
That kind of heat is showing up for a reason. Texas A&M is 2-2 through four games and still searching for its first SEC win, a rough opening month for a team sitting in the AP preseason top 10.
The Aggies’ 48-20 win over Arizona State looked comfortable on the scoreboard, but the game was far messier than that. The offense had trouble moving the ball for long stretches, and the defense spent three quarters getting picked apart through the air before turnovers finally helped the Aggies pull away in the fourth.
The last two weeks have made those cracks impossible to ignore. Texas A&M was flat-out uncompetitive in the third quarter of its 31-21 home loss to Kentucky and again in the third quarter at LSU, where it was outgained 379-37 across those two third periods combined.
Manziel’s warning carries extra weight because he knows exactly what Texas A&M can look like when the offense is humming. During his two years as the starter, the Aggies played at an elite level offensively. That stretch included the famous win at eventual national champion Alabama in 2012, and only one of their losses with Manziel was by more than one score.
The schedule offers Texas A&M a chance to steady itself, starting with Arkansas next. The Razorbacks have had a rough start of their own, with blowout losses to Utah and Georgia making them look like a prime “get right game” for a conference opponent.
South Carolina is another name to watch later on the Aggies’ schedule. The Gamecocks still have time to turn things around before Texas A&M visits Williams-Brice Stadium, but their third quarter against Mississippi State in SEC play and their lopsided showing at Alabama have raised real concern around a program that already has pressure building on its head coach.
Vanderbilt is also showing warning signs, even though it does not appear on Texas A&M’s schedule. Through four games, the defense has been shaky against Power Four competition, and while Jared Curtis has flashed his five-star talent, he has not been getting enough help around him.
In Other News...
Dylan Stewart Has South Carolina Facing A Huge Decision
South Carolina is now dealing with more than just the aftermath of a loss to Alabama. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart was suspended indefinitely by Shane Beamer after multiple incidents in the game, a troubling sequence that included penalties, a sideline argument and physical altercations. For a player whose talent has already made him one of the more important pieces on the roster, the situation has quickly turned into one of the biggest off-field questions facing the program.
Stewarts track record only adds weight to what comes next, since this is not the first time his behavior has drawn scrutiny. He was ejected earlier in 2025 for unsportsmanlike conduct, and he was also flagged for taunting in 2024 after a gun celebration gesture that drew public criticism. South Carolina is expected to decide his future later this week, leaving the Gamecocks to balance discipline, accountability and the reality of what his presence means on the field. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Suddenly Has A Bigger Problem Than Its Losing Streak
South Carolina heads into Week 5 trying to steady itself after a two-game skid, but the focus has shifted well beyond the record. The Gamecocks are back at Williams-Brice Stadium to face Kentucky, and the matchup arrives with a bit more edge than usual after a turbulent week around the program.
Dylan Stewart's indefinite suspension following incidents in the loss to Alabama has created a fresh challenge for a defense already trying to get back on track. Kentucky, meanwhile, comes in at 3-1 under new coach Will Stein, riding two straight wins and leaning on a rushing attack that looked sharp against South Alabama, which only raises the urgency for South Carolina to find answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Gets A Tough Florida Setup At The Worst Time
South Carolinas next SEC road trip comes with an early start and a tricky setup, as the Gamecocks are set to visit Florida on October 10. The kickoff window is down to either noon or 12:45 p.m., with the exact time to be locked in after the October 3 games, and the matchup will air on SEC Network.
For a team trying to manage the grind of conference play, a daytime trip to Gainesville is hardly an ideal follow-up. The timing will be settled soon enough, but South Carolina already knows the challenge waiting on the other side: a road date in the SEC, on television, and at a time that leaves little room to ease into the matchup. [Read more 🡒]