Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0 SEC) earned a statement win over the LSU Tigers in primetime in front of over 108,000 in Kyle Field, as the Aggies officially look like a College Football Playoff contender while staying in sole possession of first place in the SEC standings.
Behind the insertion of backup quarterback Marcel Reed, who ran for three touchdowns and led the Aggies to five consecutive scoring drives in the second half, Texas A&M’s rushing attack continues to break down defenses late.
However, second-half defensive adjustments were even more impressive, especially in the secondary after cornerback BJ Mayes recorded the first of his two interceptions on the night, leading to Reed’s first touchdown that started the Aggies’ 31-6 second-half run.
While the Aggies left Kyle Field elated after what looked like a season-defining win, there’s still plenty to fix, as head coach Mike Elko noted during the post-game press conference.
Texas ‘ close win over Vanderbilt was unimpressive around the rest of the country, including the SEC, while Ohio State avoided a home loss to Nebraska in the early afternoon window.
Several top teams were on their bye weeks, while LSU was the only top-10-ranked team to lose on Saturday.
In the latest AP Top 25 Poll, Texas A&M moved four spots to No. 10. Here are the rest of the updated rankings:
AP Poll Top 25 full rankings
1. Oregon | 8-0 | Big Ten
2. Georgia | 6-1 | SEC
3. Penn State | 7-0 | Big Ten
4. Ohio State | 6-1 | Big Ten
5. Miami | 8-0 | ACC
6. Texas | 7-1 | SEC
7. Tennessee | 6-1 | SEC
8. Notre Dame | 7-1 | FBS Independent
9. BYU | 8-0 | Big 12
10. Texas A&M | 7-1 | SEC
11. Clemson | 6-1 | ACC
11. Iowa State | 7-0 | Big 12
13. Indiana | 8-0 | Big Ten
14. Alabama | 6-2 | SEC
15. Boise State | 6-1 | Mountain West
16. LSU | 6-2 | SEC
17. Kansas State | 7-1 | Big 12
18. Pitt | 7-0 | ACC
19. Ole Miss | 6-2 | SEC
20. SMU | 7-1 | ACC
21. Army West Point | 7-0 | AAC
22. Washington State | 7-1 | Pac-12
23. Colorado | 6-2 | Big 12
24. Illinois | 6-2 | Big Ten
25. Missouri | 6-1 | SEC
Others receiving votes
Vanderbilt 41, Memphis 34, Tulane 28, Navy 23, Louisville 5, Arkansas 4, UNLV 4, Louisiana-Lafayette 3, South Carolina 1
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