Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1 SEC) failed to remain undefeated in SEC play after falling to South Carolina 44-20 on the road on Saturday night, looking lifeless on both sides of the ball after being tied 20-20 at the half.
However, credit to the Gamecocks for playing with consistent physicality and toughness, while Williams-Brice, in front of a packed crowd at night, could have resulted in nearly every SEC team enduring the same fate.
Either way, head coach Mike Elko and his staff have plenty of work during the bye week to get back to playing winning football, while QB Marcel Reed, who finished 18/28 with 206 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, must improve in the pocket if the offense has any chance at keeping up with the Texas Longhorns at the end of the season.
After the win, ESPN’s Football Power Index update revealed a small rise in the rankings for the Aggies.
Texas A&M football’s FPI ranking, rating
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Texas A&M fell to No. 15 after losing to South Carolina, with a 14.5 FPI rating, the seventh-highest among SEC teams. The Aggies are projected to win 8.9 games and have a 5.3% chance of winning out. Sitting at 7-2 and 5-1, A&M currently has a 19.1% chance to make the playoffs and a 1.8% chance of making the National Championship game.
SEC team in FPI
The top-ranked SEC teams in the upper echelon of the rankings include the Texas Longhorns (26.0), followed by Alabama (3rd, 25.3), Georgia (4th, 23.1), Ole Miss (22.0) at sixth, and Tennessee (20.5) in the eighth spot.
LSU (16.0) rose two spots during the Tigers bye week, and South Carolina’s big win over Texas A&M garnered the Gamecocks three spots to No. 18. Here are the rest of the SEC teams in the rankings:
- Florida (25ht, 10.5)
- Missouri (26th, 10.3)
- Oklahoma (17th, 10.3)
- Arkansas (29th, 8.5)
- Vanderbilt (34th, 7.8)
- Mississippi State (69th, -0.7)
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