Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1 SEC) suffered its worst loss under third-year coach Mike Elko, trailing unranked Kentucky 28-7 late in the third quarter before losing 31-21 in front of a packed Kyle Field. With the nine-game SEC schedule in full swing, A&M now heads to Baton Rouge for a must-win game vs. LSU in Week 4.
For some, this was a program-altering loss that has sowed plenty of doubt in Mike Elko's ability to avoid these types of losses just months after signing his lucrative extension, while starting quarterback Marcel Reed has to improve as a passer and has likely reached his ceiling, which could force first-year OC Holmon Wiggins to tailor the offense to his natural skill set and focus on running the ball.
The Aggie defense wasn't any better, allowing
408 yards, including 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Texas transfer running back CJ Baxter. The Wildcats played with a chip on their shoulder all game, then took over in the second half, embarrassing the Aggies on both sides of the ball.
Right now, Texas A&M does not look like a College Football Playoff contender in the slightest and will face one of the toughest SEC schedules, starting with LSU on Saturday. Elsewhere in the conference, No. 8 Ole Miss defeated LSU 32-24 in the day's most exciting game, while Mississippi State stormed back to beat South Carolina 41-34 after trailing 16-0 in the second quarter.
Losing to an unranked opponent at home will always cause a significant rankings drop, and in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, Texas A&M fell from No. 8 to No. 20, down 12 spots.
US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 3
Schools Dropped Out
No. 23 Houston; No. 25 Virginia;
Others Receiving Votes
Houston 116; Mississippi State 114; Duke 70; West Virginia 55; Kentucky 54; Oklahoma State 36; Pittsburgh 35; Virginia Tech 30; Vanderbilt 29; Boise State 29; Tulsa 20; UCLA 18; Kansas State 18; Western Michigan 17; Nebraska 11; North Dakota State 8; Northwestern 4; Clemson 3; Massachusetts 2; James Madison 2; Arizona 1;
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M drops 12 spots in the US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 3 loss
