Texas A&M football has three remaining conference contests to turn this losing skid around, but the Aggies return home in Week 11 to face one of the hottest teams in the SEC, No. 9 Tennessee.
The Vols are coming off a dominant 34-6 win over No. 6 Kentucky over the weekend, boasting a 7-2 overall record, including a 4-2 record in league play. Meanwhile, Texas A&M suffered a 17-9 road loss to No. 21 South Carolina, which featured kicker David Olano scoring all of the team's points. The lackluster offensive production has resulted in Olano averaging more points against ranked opponents than the unit as a whole, which isn't a good sign entering the matchup against Tennessee's fierce and physical defensive unit.
Here are quotes from senior safety Marcus
Ratcliffe and sophomore wide receiver TK Norman ahead of Saturday's showdown against the Vols:
Ratcliffe discusses his switch from safety to nickel against South Carolina
"I felt good. That was my first time playing nickel. They're a really run-heavy team and that was something we're preaching about earlier in the week," Ratcliffe said. "I felt comfortable. I like doing it. Closer to the box, made a couple plays and I enjoyed it."
Ratcliffe wants to bring his best in his final games as an Aggie
"I'd say for myself, I just want to leave everything out there. My goal is that this is the last year of college football for me. I don't want to leave any regrets or look five years from now and think, 'I wish I did this or I wish I did that,'" Ratcliffe said. "For me, it's just leave everything out there."
Ratcliffe's thoughts on what it will take for Texas A&M to close out the year strong
"I think it just takes a commitment, honestly. We had two really good teams (on the ropes) for three and a half quarters, but it's just whoever wants to win. Whoever can block out all the noise, block out all the distractions (and) just say, 'I am winning this game,'" Ratcliffe said. "I think that's what it'll take from us."
Ratcliffe on the Aggies' emphasis on playing better against the run
"I think because early on we hadn't played well against the run. We were hammering in meetings and practice that we need to play good against the run and so I think that's why we started playing better," Ratcliffe said.
Ratcliffe on the difference between playing safety and nickel
"I'd probably say cleaning up other people's mistakes. When you're at safety or a little further back, so you have to clean up the mistakes of the people in front of you. When you're close to the box, you don't really need to clean up after other people, the people behind you have to clean up your mistake," Ratcliffe said.
Norman discusses how it's felt getting more reps
"It's been good. You know, I've gotten the opportunity to get on the field a lot more and showcase my abilities, and I feel like I've been doing pretty well," Norman said.
Norman on his ability to make plays in crucial moments
"When it comes down to the late game, those plays need to be made, and Coach Wiggins, he's putting us in the place to go make those plays, and I just do what I'm told," Norman said.
Norman explains his mentality early in the season and how it's progressed throughout the year
"My situation has really been a next man up mentality, so me just sitting back waiting on my opportunity, and when that opportunity came, I took the best of it," Norman said.
Norman discusses his abilities
"My first ability, I would say, would have to be attacking the ball, but I haven't been able to showcase that as much. My vertical is pretty good. I like to go attack the ball. I have a very good speed and making the first man miss also," Norman said.
Norman on the challenges Tennessee's defense brings in Week 11
Tennessee gives us a lot of different fronts on their defense. They have a lot of different coverages that they run, and they got a good pass rush, so we're ready to bring it to them," Norman said.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'It takes a commitment': Texas A&M players on how to close out 2026 strong
