Texas A&M doesn’t have much wiggle room left, and that makes this trip to LSU feel less like a midseason test and more like a hard stop. After the loss to Kentucky, the Aggies’ path to the College Football Playoff is narrow enough that a win in Death Valley is close to a requirement. They pulled this off last year in convincing fashion, but the setting now is different, and so is the mood around College Station.
This isn’t an automatic loss, but the betting of public opinion is clear enough: not many are lining up behind A&M. If the Aggies are going to walk out with a win, they’ll need three things to go right.
First, Marcel Reed has to hurt LSU on the ground again.
Against Blake Baker’s defense in two career games, Reed has carried the ball 21 times for 170 yards, which works out to 8.1 yards per attempt. LSU hasn’t had an answer for him as a runner, even with a strong front seven in both meetings, and that’s going to be a major point of emphasis for the Tigers this time around.
It also needs to be a focal point for Reed and the Aggies. KJ Edwards is back, and if Reed forces LSU to respect his legs early, that should open more room for Edwards in the traditional run game. The problem is that LSU is allowing only 33 rushing yards per game, so A&M needs to get to at least 150 on the ground, with a meaningful chunk of that coming from Reed, to have a real shot.
The defense, meanwhile, has to take away Sam Leavitt’s scrambling.
Leavitt has drawn plenty of attention, but he hasn’t exactly looked polished at reading the field. Like Reed, he tends to leave the pocket quickly and skip over progressions, and that can turn into hidden yardage on third down if the defense isn’t disciplined.
A&M’s corners are good enough in man coverage to make that first read difficult, and that’s where the pressure starts. If the Aggies can keep Leavitt from making plays with his legs, LSU’s offense gets much easier to manage. The formula for A&M is simple here: make the Tigers earn everything, and don’t let the quarterback become the escape hatch.
Then there’s Mario Craver, who has to connect downfield more than once.
The Aggies were dangerous through the air on explosive plays last season, but that part of the offense hasn’t shown up this year. The chances have been there, but the timing hasn’t. Reed has missed on a couple of deep throws, including an underthrow that became an interception early in the second half against Arizona State, and the run game has come close to breaking free without fully cashing in.
Craver is the answer if A&M can find him. His speed gives him an edge few defensive backs can match, and the Aggies need to land those shots when they’re available. Big completions to Craver would do more than add yardage; they’d also force LSU to stay honest and prevent the Tigers from crowding the box.
Those are tough asks, especially in a place like Death Valley, but Texas A&M has the pieces to make it work if everything clicks at the same time. If it does, the Aggies can keep their season from veering off course this early.
In Other News...
Aggies Just Got A Recruiting Sign Elko Fans Needed
Texas A&M picked up a timely recruiting note this week when five-star quarterback Donald Tabron, already committed to the Aggies for the class of 2028, reportedly canceled a planned visit to LSU. There had been some local skepticism about whether that trip was ever truly locked in, but LSU was still one of the finalists in the mix, which made the news worth watching for a program that wants to keep elite quarterback attention pointed its way.
For Mike Elko and his staff, the bigger takeaway is that the Aggies are still pushing hard on the recruiting trail even as questions linger around the current team. Keeping a commitment like Tabron from drifting toward another SEC power matters for the long view, especially when the competition for top quarterbacks can turn quickly. It is the kind of update Aggie fans have been waiting for, because it suggests the staff is still landing punches in an area where future stability starts. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Unveils A Familiar Look Before A Huge LSU Test
Texas A&M heads into a primetime matchup with LSU still looking for its first SEC win, and the timing could hardly be more demanding after a home loss to Kentucky. Mike Elko and Marcel Reed both addressed the setback this week, with the focus turning quickly to cleaner execution and a sharper showing on offense as the Aggies try to steady themselves in conference play.
The visual change will be part of the backdrop, too, as Texas A&M is set to wear white helmets, maroon jerseys and maroon pants for the first time this season. It is a familiar look for the Aggies, but the real story is whether Reed can improve his throws while also making more use of his legs, because LSU offers a fast-moving test at a moment when Texas A&M could use a response. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Just Got A Notable Vote Of Confidence At LSU
After both teams stumbled in their SEC openers, Texas A&M picked up a bit of outside encouragement heading into its trip to LSU. SEC Network host Peter Burns leaned toward the Aggies in his preview of the matchup, pointing to Marcell Reeds history against LSU as a reason for optimism and noting some unease about the Tigers offense.
For an A&M team trying to steady itself early in conference play, it is the kind of national nod that at least reinforces the idea that the Aggies are walking into a winnable spot. LSU still brings the usual Saturday-night noise and pressure, but Burns read suggests the matchup may come down to whether Texas A&M can build on Reeds success and make LSU prove its offense can answer. [Read more 🡒]