Texas A&M faces a steep climb this weekend against South Carolina, and if the Aggies are going to spring the upset, the path is pretty clear: win the line of scrimmage, create chunk plays, and keep LaNorris Sellers from taking over on the ground.
That starts with KJ Edwards. The Aggies’ top running back has been listed as “questionable” after missing the second half against Alabama two weeks ago, but he said in an interview on Tuesday that he’s ready to go.
Texas A&M needs him on the field and productive, because the ground game has to set the tone. The formula is simple enough: control possession, lean on the run, and let Edwards grind out the hidden yards that keep drives alive.
If he’s not over 100 yards by the end of the game, it’s hard to see the Aggies having found the kind of rushing success they’ll need. South Carolina sits 52nd in rushing success rate allowed, which is solid, but not untouchable.
The passing game has to do its part too, and that means Marcel Reed has to connect on more explosive throws. South Carolina has been giving up explosive passes on just a shade under 10% of attempts, while Texas A&M has generated them on only 6.75% of its attempts, a number that ranks 135th in the nation.
That’s a rough combination for an offense trying to find a breakthrough. The Aggies need more than routine completions here; they need Reed to hit at least five explosive passes to force the Gamecocks to respect the air attack and open things up underneath.
And then there’s the quarterback battle on the ground. With lead RB Matt Fuller now out for the season in Columbia, LaNorris Sellers is the main rushing threat Texas A&M has to contain.
Reed has not been nearly the rushing factor the Aggies need him to be, and that has limited the offense. If Reed can out-rush Sellers, it would be a major sign that A&M is dictating the game in the right way.
That’s a tall order, though. Reed’s best rushing game this season is 80 yards, while Sellers has already posted multiple games over 100 yards and has finished with 96 yards in each of his past two games besides.
Kendal Briles has clearly found ways to unlock Sellers as a runner, and stopping that will be a major challenge for the Aggies’ defense.
If Texas A&M hits those three marks, the upset conversation gets a lot more real. If not, South Carolina will likely control the game where it matters most.
In Other News...
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Kendall Omoruyis recruiting change gives Texas A&M another notable piece for its volleyball future, and it arrives at a moment when the programs profile is already rising. The top recruit had originally pledged to Nebraska, but she announced she is now headed to College Station, saying the move reflects her personal growth and faith while also thanking Nebraskas coaching staff for their role in her journey.
For the Aggies, the addition fits neatly into a roster that just delivered the schools first national championship and now looks even deeper in the middle. Omoruyi joins a strong group of blockers, giving Texas A&M another high-end option as it tries to build on that title run and keep the momentum going in the seasons ahead. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger concern remains the uncertainty around KJ Edwards and Ashton Bethel-Roman, both listed as questionable as Texas A&M tries to sort out its skill-position depth. South Carolina has its own injury issues to manage, but the Aggies are the ones still waiting on a clearer answer about how healthy their offense will be when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Is Already Pushing Ahead At A Tense Recruiting Spot
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The timing matters because the Aggies have some uncertainty around their 2027 group after recent commitment changes, which puts a little more pressure on every move they make with secondary prospects. Bishop is part of a broader defensive back picture Texas A&M is monitoring, and Elko has to balance the rest of the 2026 season with the recruiting cycles that will shape the roster beyond it. [Read more 🡒]