For the second week in a row, Texas A&M was manhandled. After a historic 2025 season, the Aggies have opened SEC play 0-2, and fans are starting to wonder whether this is the same old A&M with a new face.
Almost nothing looked good outside of the kickers, and that is not what you want to say about a team trying to make another College Football Playoff run. Marcel Reed has regressed, the offensive play-calling was poor, and the defense struggled to pressure the quarterback or cover receivers. Right now, A&M looks like the team other SEC opponents play to get back on track.
The one positive I saw on defense was that the Aggies held up reasonably well against the run. Beyond that, the concerns people raised during the offseason are showing up on the field.
Questions also came up about not bringing in a veteran quarterback to compete with Reed and about Mike Elko handing both coordinator jobs to first-time playcallers in such an important season.
Plenty of football remains, but a start like this could also put A&M’s recruiting gains at risk. The Aggies have worked their way to the top of the current recruiting rankings. If the losses keep piling up, holding that class together could become another challenge for Elko.
The talent is still on the roster. A&M just has not put it together. Reed has not looked sharp, receivers keep finding room against the defense, and the discipline Elko has preached is hard to see. With Elko and his staff having just received new contracts, a staff shakeup seems unlikely anytime soon. That puts the pressure on this group to make changes to the lineup and game plan before the season gets away from them.
Below are quotes from coach Mike Elko and the players after the 35-6 loss to LSU.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko's immediate thoughts after the game
"I don't have many words. We have to find a way to play better football. We're not playing good football. That's the understatement of a lifetime. I don't have answers at this time, but we have to find them."
Mike Elko continues opening thoughts
"We have to play better football. I don't know what else to say. We got our butts whooped. We have to execute what we're trying to execute. We have to look at everything and figure it out."
Mike Elko on if these are the same issues as last week
"The issues appear to be worse."
Mike Elko on if he is going to consider a change at QB
"No."
Mike Elko on if he is surprised about the secondary play
"Clearly I'm surprised. I think we are capable of doing way better than we are now."
Texas A&M safety Dalton Brooks comments on the defensive struggles
"We have to finish plays. That's what it is. We have to finish the plays that come to us."
Dalton Brooks comments on the week of practice
"We came into practice and practiced well. It's just got to translate to the game."
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed on passing struggles
"We had trouble up front and some of that is on me. We couldn't get it going, it's as simple as that. We executed stuff in practice, it just didn't translate to the game."
Marcel Reed on the difference between last and this year against LSU
"They got a different coach. They got a couple players from the portal. That's college football. They played better than us this year. That was obvious."
Marcel Reed on his play against LSU
"Today I tried my best to put the ball where it needed to be."
Marcel Reed on critical offensive penalties
"We've got to be smarter. We have to use our technique and not try to get away with plays like that. The flag gets thrown."
Marcel Reed on his message to his teammates
"Right now it's bad and we're at rock bottom, but you have to dig yourself out of this hole. We have to keep showing up."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M HC, players said after embarrassing loss to LSU
