Mike Elko’s Aggies continued their undefeated start (5-0) to the season against Mississippi State. The 31-9 win looked different than their earlier games, especially the win at South Bend. The defense continued its Auburn performance by allowing one fewer point than in its first SEC game. Marcel Reed completed 13 of his 23 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Far different from what he managed against Notre Dame. The QB1 also had an interception after throwing one against the Tigers. But former Aggie Johnny Manziel is not worried. These type of wins makes A&M true contenders.

Mississippi State took an early lead with Kyle Ferrie’s 24-yard field goal, but things quickly went downhill for the Bulldogs. Texas dominated the rest of the way, running rampant and never taking its foot off the gas. While the passing game was limited, the Aggies made it count on the ground. They rushed for 299 yards, 80 more than the total offense that Mississippi State managed. On the October 4 episode of Nightcap, Shannon Sharpe, Ocho, and Manziel dissected the game, and the former Heisman winner was impressed with what he saw.

“I think you look at the last two weeks for A&M, you get into SEC play, right? They’ve given up 10 points versus Auburn and nine versus Mississippi State. That is playing very solid fundamental defense, flying, rallying to the football, not missing tackles, and doing the right things,” Manziel said. But more than the defense, he discussed how the offensive play bodes well for Mike Elko.

“The cool thing, too, for A&M that Aggies should be excited about is when you rush for 300 yards, the pressure comes off of Marcel Reed. So Marcel Reed can now have a 56% completion percentage, throw a pick, only throw for 180 yards, and he only rushed for 30. But it’s not one of those things where you’re taking 500 bricks and putting them on his back, right? You got a defense that’s getting you back on the field quickly. You got an offensive line that’s helmet to helmet moving the line of scrimmage, and you have a running back that’s going for over 100 yards. It’s team complementary football. That’s what you want to see. That’s the making of a good team,” Manziel said.

In the run game, Reuben Owens II had a night for himself. The RB rushed for 142 yards on 21 carries. Le’Veon Moss and Mario Craver also pitched in for 36 yards and 35 yards, respectively. On the other side of the ball, the Aggies’ defense held the Bulldogs to just 73 rushing yards. Blake Shapen was sacked 4 times by A&M.

“I think Elko has the guys rolling. I think he has them focused. And I think you have to look at them and say they are contenders,” Manziel added. Things are looking good so far, but the real SEC challenge awaits Mike Elko.

What’s next for Marcel Reed and the Aggies?

Saturday’s win meant that Texas joined the 5-0 group in the SEC. They are 2nd in the conference and are joined by Ole Miss, Alabama, Missouri, and Oklahoma at the top. The race for the playoffs is heating up for these teams.

Mike Elko’s main priority will be getting the best out of Marcel Reed in the passing game. “I think we had to find a way to get Marcel to settle down. It wasn’t all negative in the first half. It was more about being in an SEC football game. They aren’t easy. There are four quarter games,” said Elko. Marcel Reed will face tougher defenses in the future, and he will need his team to make game-winning plays.

The Aggies face the Gators next week, who are fresh off a win against the Longhorns. The matchup is favorable for the home side, and they could extend their winning run.