Texas A&M moved up one spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll after defeating Arizona State 48-20 on Saturday afternoon, which, during my time covering the program, was one of the weirdest outcomes for a team that struggles to move the ball on offense for most of the game. However, thanks to two pick-six defensive scores, the Aggies reeled off a 24-point fourth quarter to send the Sun Devils packing.
In Week 3, the Aggies will host a Kentucky team that lost to Alabama 45-17 at home, but given the state of A&M's offensive line, it's tough to know which opposing defenses will cause the most problems if this group does not improve in pass protection in SEC play.
Starting quarterback Marcel Reed finished the game with 163 passing yards, three touchdowns
and his first interception of the season, but made the necessary plays to keep the Aggies ahead of the sticks. Still, the redshirt junior's accuracy issues stalled out several drives that should have resulted in points.
After defeating Arizona State, Texas A&M rose two spots to No. 8 in ESPN's Football Power Index with a rating of 23.1. The Aggies are currently the fourth highest-ranked SEC team, trailing only Alabama (No. 7), Georgia (No. 4), and Texas at No. 2. Texas A&M will face LSU and Alabama on the road before hosting Texas at the end of the regular season.
Following Saturday's 48-20, ESPN's FPI also currently projects Texas A&M's win-loss record at 8.9-3.3, and a 1.3% chance to win out. Other current Texas A&M percentages, per ESPN's FPI, include 9.0% to win the SEC, 50.1% to make the College Football Playoff, and 4.5% to win the national championship.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Where Texas A&M sits in ESPN FPI rankings after defeating ASU 48-20
