While history has typically tilted in LSU’s favor, this year’s Aggies have the opportunity to flip that narrative on its head. LSU’s last week’s stunning loss to Vanderbilt didn’t just hurt their playoff hopes; it exposed serious flaws on the defensive side. A unit that had been giving up only 12 points per game suddenly looked vulnerable, allowing a season-high 239 rushing yards on 5.3 yards per carry to Vandy. Now, as they prepare for Texas A&M, the Tigers’ biggest concern isn’t hard to guess.

As ESPN put it, “The Aggies’ offense will go as far as their running backs take it.” Needless to say, the Tigers’ major concern this week is to prevent Texas A&M from running the ball against them. Brian Kelly himself acknowledged the challenge, as quoted by columnist Scott Rabalais on X: “BK: It starts with we have to stop the run. But if you put in an 8-man box, you have one-on-one (on WRs) down the field. That’s why they’re No. 3 in the country and scored 40 pts in 2 of their last 3 games. #LSU.” (Oct. 18, 2025, vs. Arkansas 45-42. Sept. 27, 2025, vs. Auburn 16-10, Sept. 13, 2025, vs. Notre Dame 41-40).

The urge makes sense, as the Aggies are ranked 5th in the SEC in rushing offense per game, which is 197 yards. Whereas LSU ranks 8th in the SEC in run defense, allowing 200 yards per game in the last three games. What makes this battle even more interesting is the defensive risk LSU might have to take. If they decide to load the box with eight players to slow down A&M’s powerful run game, that means almost every defender is committed to stopping the rush, leaving fewer players deep in coverage. As a result, the secondary is often forced into one-on-one matchups with the Aggie receivers, without safety help over the top. That’s a dangerous situation against speedsters like Mario Craver and KC Concepcion.

The Aggies picked up Mario Craver and KC Concepcion in the offseason, and the two have quickly become one of the top receiver duos in the country. On the other side, LSU’s defense, led by Mansoor Delane and AJ Haulcy, is one of the strongest in the conference. It’s going to be a real test for both sides and could end up deciding the game.

Texas A&M can score in multiple ways; they can either score really fast in two or three plays from anywhere on the field because of their explosive and very fast players like Mario Craver and KC Conception. So far, Craver has recorded 557 receiving yards with 4 TDs and 30 receptions, and KC has had 401 yards with 5 touchdowns and 24 receptions. With that, they can also slowly move the ball, drive 80 yards down the field, run after run, mixing in short passes and RPOs.

Now, talking of Brian Kelly’s concern, the main problem lies in their defense, as Brooks Austin highlights: “I think the problem, the main problem for LSU’s defense, is I think they get left on the field too long. The time of possession gets ultimately tilted on these guys, and when you take 70 snaps against football teams that can run the ball well, eventually they’re going to cease you.” So, if they stay on the field long against the Aggies, too, there are chances of them messing up real big. Something of that sort happened against Vanderbilt last week when Brian Kelly had the worst gameplay of the season.

LSU gave up 400 yards, with 239 yards coming from Vandy’s run game. But most of it was because of Whit Weeks’s absence, as he’s one of the top tacklers for LSU, and his absence allowed a lot of big plays in the game. When Weeks was playing against the Gamecocks, their QB LaNorris Sellers was just averaging 0.9 yards per carry, but without him, Diego Pavia rushed for 86 yards with 2 TDs.

But with that, there’s another major locker room concern that’s making things tough for Brian Kelly.

Brian Kelly’s locker room concern intensifies

Losing against Vanderbilt doesn’t really put Brian Kelly’s team out of the playoffs, but if they lose to the Aggies, they might end up missing out on it for the fourth time. What’s interesting is that before him, three HCs had already won championships, and that’s what the Tigers expect from him as well. Now, is it a problem with their game or his relationship with his team? That’s where the issue lies.

A few days back, insider Aaron Torres talked about LSU’s former DL Breiden Fehoko’s rant about Brian Kelly’s approach towards the program alumni. “People quoted me saying, ‘I don’t know what I’m talking about,’ when I said BK didn’t want alumni around,” Fehoko said. “Everyone thinks this is about going to games on Saturday nights in Death Valley lol, no. This is about the offseason of having your past guys around the team in a workout environment.” So, as per Fehoko’s statement, there are cracks in Kelly’s team.

And drawing a conclusion from Fehoko’s words, Torres also raised questions about whether Brian Kelly really connected with his team. Comparing his situation with Billy Napier and James Franklin and how his players were sad with their departure, but that won’t be the case here. “Like if Brian Kelly, like, he’s not getting fired, but if he got fired tomorrow, how many guys on this roster do you think would post pictures with Brian Kelly saying how sad they are and wish him the best and you’re nothing?” Torres said. “I don’t think it would happen.”

Now, this isn’t the first time something of this sort has happened; back in 2024, even CBS Sports’ John Talty pointed to the same talk of communication and trust in the program. But for now, no one from the LSU team has ever talked about it publicly. For now, the concern about staying in the championship remains high for the Tigers. Let’s see if they can come up strong against the Aggies this week or not.