Texas A&M has yet to win on the road in SEC play, losing to LSU 35-6 and Missouri 27-6, failing to score a touchdown in both losses, as redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed's regression, combined with four new starters along the offensive line, has resulted in the Aggie offense failing to find any consistent success, outside of running the ball well, which has also been sporadic at best.
Coach Mike Elko's third season at the helm hasn't been a massive failure, yet, as every SEC head coach deserves some grace amid the new nine-game conference schedule, his decision to elevate wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins as the new offensive coordinator, and Joey Lynch as the new quarterbacks coach, has heavily contributed to Marcel Reed's struggles.
Still, Elko's decision to hand off the defensive play-calling duties to first-year DC Lyle Hemphill has worked out, especially in the secondary, as the Aggies enter Week 8 ranked 10th in passing yards allowed. Facing No. 13 Alabama in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2022, Texas A&M is catching the Crimson Tide at the right time amid their two-game losing streak.
If the Aggies have any legitimate shot at an upset, running backs KJ Edwards and Jamarion Morrow will need to play a significant role from start to finish, while Marcel Reed or, possibly, backup QB Brady Hart must complete high-percentage "layup" throws.
Mike Elko previewed the matchup for the second time this week during Wednesday's Aggie Football Hour. Here's everything he had to say.
Mike Elko on Jamarion Morrow's return to full health
"(Jamarion Morrow) has been getting back and getting back, and that was probably the first time he took the field and felt like himself. … He was putting his foot in the ground and was cutting the way he is used to cutting."
Elko on the rise of cornerback and special teams ace Bravion Rogers
"(Bravion Rogers) is a special kid. Now, we're getting a bunch of NFL teams asking us about him, and we talk to our guys about how important special teams is. That's his primary role, and he has become such a factor out there."
"He's a really, really special athlete, and as football is growing and growing for him, you're starting to see his impact on defense too."
Elko on Texas A&M's first time shutting out two teams since 1993
"It was the first time this team has had two shutouts since 1993. I was here as the defensive coordinator, and we had plenty of chances where we had shutouts through three-and-a-half quarters, and the standard suddenly got dropped."
"There are so many talented, athletic young kids that are itching to go play football, so when that group goes out on the field, it's almost like the level gets picked up."
Elko on the importance of Texas A&M's bye week after facing Alabama
"We don't get many 'off' weeks. (The bye) is a good opportunity to reset some things."
"The kids get a little bit of a breather. We get to get out and do some recruiting, which is important this year because you're solidifying a class. … There's also an important game at the end of the year, and we use the bye week to start preparing for that game a little bit."
Elko on the mentality his team needs against Alabama
"I want our guys to just go out there and play free. As we've struggled a little bit and gone through the struggles of the season, you've seen them locking up and tightening up."
"They've shown up every week and really worked. Our practices have gotten faster and more physical."
"Just lay it all out there and play a free and loose game and see where that puts us, and that's our challenge on Saturday."
Elko discusses Texas A&M's memorable 2021 win over Alabama
"It was a tied game, so (the three-and-out) was really huge. We were gassed. The emotion and the humidity of that night, we were gassed by the fourth quarter."
"We were able to pull it together and get the one stop. … That was the hand of Aggies everywhere that shifted Seth Small's kick from here to there. It was the ghost of the 12th Man."
Elko's final analysis of Alabama's "talented" roster before facing the Crimson Tide on Saturday
"They're a talented team. They have a ton of NFL players. They have every time I've played them. Since 2018, it's been a who's-who roster."
"They're coming out fighting with everything they've got to keep their season alive."
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Mike Elko said during Aggie Football Hour before Week 8