Texas A&M coach Mike Elko believes last week’s bye came just in time for the No. 14 Aggies, judging by the energetic response.
What you need to know The Aggies took the lead in the Southeastern Conference before the midseason hiatus, a strong performance highlighted by a 41-10 rout of Missouri State.
The Aggies have won five straight since losing to Notre Dame and are averaging nearly 447 yards per game. Their defense was also solid, allowing 311.13 yards in league play, 318 yards overall, and just 16.7 points per contest.
Texas A&M’s running game ranks ninth nationally and second in the SEC with 232.3 yards per game.
Texas A&M quarterback Connor Weigman returned for the Aggies’ game against Missouri State after missing three games with a pitching shoulder injury. Elko said Weigman was healthy against the Tigers, but it certainly didn’t hurt to get some rest during A&M’s bye week.
They took the lead in the Southeastern Conference before the midseason hiatus, highlighted by a 41-10 rout of Missouri State. The next three weeks will bring more challenges, and Saturday’s visit to last-place Mississippi State will keep A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC) on guard in a season marked by upsets of top-ranked teams. Many red flags were raised.
“This group of kids, the last time we went to Starkville, we weren’t in a great situation,” Elko said, referring to the Aggies’ 42-24 loss in 2022 despite No. 17. “So I don’t even know if I need to look at anyone else.
“We need to recognize our history and understand what it takes to succeed, why we do what we do, and why we need to give ourselves a chance to succeed. And I understand that if I stop for a moment, everything will be at risk.”
The Aggies have won five straight since losing to Notre Dame and are averaging nearly 447 yards per game. Their defense was also solid, allowing 311.13 yards per game in league play, 318 yards overall, and just 16.7 points per game.
Rebuilding MSU (1-5, 0-3) has lost five straight games, including its last two games against No. 1 Texas (35-13) and No. 5 Georgia (41-31) on Saturday. Ta. The Bulldogs come in with the league’s worst defense in several categories, including yards (465.8 per game) and points (33.2 points), but first-year coach Jeff Levy threw two interceptions last week in Athens. I am finding courage in making small progress, such as recording. They scored 10 points and outscored the Dawgs 21-7 after halftime.
Texas A&M will be MSU’s third straight ranked opponent, finishing the season with No. 11 Tennessee, No. 19 Missouri and No. 18 rival Ole Miss. The Bulldogs lead the series 9-8, but enter the game in 15th place. They are a 2-point underdog, according to BetMGM College Sports odds.
“I think our players are incredibly encouraged and excited by the fact that we had some really good moments,” Levy said. “We have to have more moments like that every Saturday, continue to develop the good and eliminate the bad.”
Runaway
Texas A&M’s running game ranks ninth nationally and second in the SEC with 232.3 yards per game. Leading this group is Le’Veon Moss, who ranks second in the conference with 101.5 yards per game. Moss rushed for a career-high 138 yards, his third 100-yard run of the season, and three touchdowns to lead the Aggies to a victory over Missouri State. Moss credited the success in the run game to offensive coordinator Colin Klein and his creative schemes.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “We have so many different formations. But we could be running the same play, you never know.”
growing pains
MSU quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. had a career-best 306-yard, three-TD performance against Georgia, highlighted by completing passes of 24 and 35 yards. The freshman has completed 39-of-73 passes for 550 yards in three games, including 450 yards in two starts since replacing injured Blake Shapen. Georgia didn’t sack Van Buren, but Texas dropped him six times for 45 yards. MSU has allowed 19 through six games.
healthy weigman
Texas A&M quarterback Connor Weigman returned for the Aggies’ game against Missouri State after missing three games with a pitching shoulder injury. He completed 18 of 22 passes for a season-high 276 yards and helped upset the Aggies. Elko said Weigman was healthy against the Tigers, but it certainly didn’t hurt to get some rest during A&M’s bye week.
“He’s in really good shape,” Elko said. “I think every day of rest will be beneficial for him. It just brings his strength back.”
blanket cover
Safety Isaac Smith has emerged as a leader in rebuilding the Bulldogs’ defense. The sophomore ranks second in the conference with 56 tackles (24 solo) and 12th nationally. His 11.2 stops per game are tops in the SEC, and Levy credits his all-around play as motivation for the challenging gauntlet of ranked teams.
“This is a guy who plays the game exactly how you want to play it,” he said. “He has great toughness and a great attitude every day. And his energy was contagious throughout our squad.”
