Look at the box score from Texas A&M’s 16-10 win over Auburn on Saturday. Your first thought might be ‘Did the Aggies actually win?’ I mean, 414 total yards to 155, 21 first downs to nine, and zero third- or fourth-down conversions allowed. On paper, it looks like a blowout. But then you see the final score, and it’s a nail-biter. Welcome to the world of penalties and questionable officiating in the SEC.

Speaking of officials, Aggies HC Mike Elko didn’t hold back on Saturday. During his radio show, he asked the audience if officials were “paid by the flag,” then followed it up with a sarcastic take. TexAgs posted his response on X on October 1, “I think the officials do an unbelievable job. I think they’re the best thing that we have going in the SEC. I think week-in and week-out, it’s an extremely consistent performance that we get and I’m just very blessed and honored to have them grace our football field.” Cue the laughter from Aggie fans and maybe some eye rolls from the Auburn side. 

Thirteen penalties for 119 yards isn’t exactly “graceful officiating” either. And Auburn, they weren’t angels either, coughing up 10 penalties for 69 yards. But when the crew is tossing flags at nearly every series, you have to wonder if the referees are auditioning for a comedy show rather than running a football game. Mike Elko was brutally honest about where the blame lies, at least internally. “We created too many penalties,” he said. “It’s got to be fixed. It’s way too many penalties that kill drives, it’s way too many penalties that set us behind the sticks. Then if you put that together with not being able to convert third downs, that’s how you have 414 yards and not nearly enough points for what 414 yards should get you.”

If there was a single momentum-killing moment, it came late in the fourth quarter. Marcel Reed hit Mario Craver for a touchdown that would’ve iced the game, only for an ineligible-man-downfield flag to snatch it away. The Aggies settled for a field goal instead, leaving them up by just six points. In a different game, or against a more competent offense, that penalty could’ve been the difference between victory and defeat. The Aggies are now 4-0 for the first time since 2016, and yes, they look better than they have in years. But there’s still work to do before anyone can tag them as true championship material. Discipline, Mike Elko insists, is where it starts. And they better be disciplined when they face the challenge he’s warning about. 

Mike Elko sees a major challenge in Mississippi State 

Next up, Mike Elko and the Aggies head to face a Mississippi State squad that’s not your typical Bulldogs. Entering Week 6 at 4-1, MSU lost a heartbreaker to Tennessee last week, 41-34 in overtime, but they’ve been physical and efficient running the ball all season. “Their spread offense is something I’ve compared it a lot this week to the modern version of the triple option,” the Aggies HC said. “They spread you sideline to sideline… It’s a challenge. They force you to cover the whole field, vertically and horizontally.” 

If Texas A&M wants to keep the undefeated train rolling, they’ll have to lean on the same defensive discipline that got them past Auburn. Winning a low-scoring, grind-it-out game shows this team can handle multiple styles of football, a must if they want to compete with SEC heavyweights like Texas and LSU later this season. The Aggies’ ability to survive tight games could make all the difference in a playoff run.

Ultimately, this game is a litmus test for the Aggies. Can they continue building momentum through the SEC gauntlet? Can they win a close, physically demanding game without letting penalties dictate the story? If Texas A&M wants to prove they’re more than just a team with a good record, this matchup will tell us everything we need to know.