With the College Football Playoff just days away, Texas A&M finds itself in uncharted but well-earned territory. At 11-1 (7-1 SEC), the Aggies are set to host Miami (10-2) in their CFP debut - a milestone moment not just for the program, but for a quarterback looking to bounce back when it matters most.
Marcel Reed, the redshirt sophomore under center, is coming off a tough outing in the regular season finale against Texas. Two interceptions, just 180 yards passing - it wasn’t the performance he or the Aggies wanted heading into the postseason.
But if there’s one thing this season has taught us about Reed and this team, it’s that they don’t fold under pressure. They respond.
Case in point: the comeback against South Carolina to close out the regular season. Down 27-3 at halftime, Texas A&M looked dead in the water. But what followed was one of the most impressive second-half turnarounds of the college football season - and it all started with Reed.
Facing a 4th & 12 early in the third quarter, Reed pulled off a play that not only kept the drive alive, but sparked the entire team. Evading pressure and keeping his eyes downfield, he connected with wide receiver Izaiah Williams for the Aggies’ first touchdown of the afternoon. That play didn’t just move the chains - it flipped the momentum.
From that point on, the Aggies were nearly unstoppable. The offense found rhythm, scoring on nearly every possession, while the defense completely clamped down.
South Carolina didn’t put up a single point in the second half, and quarterback LaNorris Sellers was sacked twice on the final drive. That comeback - a gritty 31-30 win - may have saved Texas A&M’s season.
A loss there, and we’re probably talking about a mid-tier bowl game instead of a playoff berth.
Reed reflected on that game during a recent conversation with college football analyst David Pollack. He didn’t sugarcoat it: “We shot both of our feet already, we couldn't shoot another one.” That kind of self-awareness - and ownership - is exactly what you want from your QB heading into the biggest game of the year.
Now, the challenge gets even tougher. Miami’s defense isn’t just good - it’s loaded.
Their front line is physical and disruptive, and their secondary is filled with future pros. For Reed, this is the moment to show that the Texas game was just a stumble, not a trend.
This will be the final game at Kyle Field this season, and there’s no bigger stage. Both teams are making their first-ever CFP appearance, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For Texas A&M, it’s a chance to prove they belong among college football’s elite. For Reed, it’s an opportunity to lead his team into the next chapter - and silence any remaining doubts along the way.
Kickoff is set for Saturday, December 20, and you can catch the action on ABC and ESPN.