A loss to Kentucky by 31-21 at home has left Texas A&M facing questions about its standing within the SEC. Some wonder if the Aggies should still be counted among the conference’s good teams. ESPN CFB analyst Greg McElroy sees Kentucky as a solid squad, but he also points to real issues on both sides of the ball for Texas A&M heading into a critical road game against LSU this weekend.
The Aggies’ next game comes against LSU, and McElroy’s assessment of the team’s current state offers a clear agenda for coach Mike Elko and his 2026 roster. The defense was on par with starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s poor performance, especially the secondary, which gave up several explosive plays. The defensive line was simply manhandled in the second half, allowing the Wildcats to control the clock and produce over 150 yards rushing and two scores.
Reed’s Numbers Against Kentucky
Reed threw for 236 yards and ran for 80 yards. He threw two touchdowns, but both came when the Aggies were already down 28-7 late in the third quarter. The bigger issue was his inability to hit short passes — that problem was even more problematic than his two interceptions.
McElroy’s view is that Texas A&M’s defense should be fixable. The offensive identity, by contrast, needs to get back to running the ball effectively, which sets up play-action opportunities for Reed.
The Defensive Line’s Problem
The defensive line was the weakest part of the game. Kentucky’s rushing attack amassed over 150 yards on the ground, and the Aggies’ secondary gave up several explosive plays. The defensive line was simply manhandled in the second half, allowing the Wildcats to control the clock and produce over 150 yards rushing and two scores.
The numbers reflected the pressure. The Wildcats’ running game produced over 150 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, a product of the Aggies’ defensive front being overmatched and unable to stop the run. That allowed the Wildcats to control the clock.
The Offensive Line’s Performance
The Aggies’ offensive front showed marked improvement against Kentucky, even after surrendering 18 pressures. The unit created ample lanes in the running game, enabling the squad to accumulate 80 rushing yards.
The trouble with Reed centered on his passing game. He threw two interceptions, and his repeated failure to complete short passes proved to be the true source of the problem.
The Injury List Matters
The status of freshman running back KJ Edwards, who left Saturday’s game with an injury, combined with running back Jamarion Morrow and wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman, who both missed the Kentucky game, will determine Texas A&M’s chances of pulling off the upset by game day.
| Player | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| KJ Edwards | Running back | Left game with an injury |
| Jamarion Morrow | Running back | Missed the Kentucky game |
| Ashton Bethel-Roman | Wide receiver | Missed the Kentucky game |
Whether the Aggies can spring the upset may come down to how healthy their roster is on game day. Edwards’ availability would give the running game a key piece. Should he be sidelined, though, Morrow and Bethel-Roman both sat out the Kentucky contest.
The LSU Test
The LSU defense has a clear issue with containing the run, but abandoning it early would be a mistake and would once again leave Marcel Reed in a bad spot on the road.
The Aggies should depend on the ground attack from the start against LSU, since the defense is clearly the bigger issue. Taking the running game off the table early could leave Reed in an uncomfortable position on the road.
The Running Game’s Role
Kentucky’s defensive effort created many openings for the running attack, which in turn gave Reed chances to use play-action. McElroy describes that identity as what the offense must return to, with the run game serving as the foundation for it all.
The Aggies need to rely on the ground attack from the start against LSU, since the defense is clearly the bigger concern. Taking that approach away too soon would leave Reed in a difficult position on the road.
What This Means for Texas A&M
According to McElroy, Texas A&M has a clear way ahead. The defense can be fixed, and the offense simply needs to return to running the ball well.
| Aspect | Current State | McElroy’s Take |
|---|---|---|
| Defense | Poor performance | Fixable |
| Offense | Poor performance | Needs to run effectively |
| Running game | Improved against Kentucky | Identity to get back to |
| Passing game | Struggled against Kentucky | Short passes are the real issue |
LSU’s odds of an upset against the Aggies hinge on who is healthy come kickoff. A healthy Edwards gives the running game its most important player. Without him, Morrow and Bethel-Roman were both sidelined for the Kentucky contest.
The Bottom Line
Texas A&M’s loss to Kentucky on its own field raises the question of whether it is a good team in the SEC. The defense gave up too much, the offense did not always perform well, and the injuries are a concern.
McElroy does not sound worried about what he sees. Instead, he thinks the defense can be fixed, and he thinks the offense can figure out who it is by running the ball well.
The road ahead for the Aggies is plain to see. What remains unknown is whether they will put it into practice.
Source material: “CFB analyst provides his concerns and recommendations for Texas A&M,” Yahoo Sports.
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