Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his 2026 roster have turned the page to this weekend’s critical road test vs. LSU, but after losing to Kentucky 31-21 at home, it’s hard to know if the Aggies should even be considered a good team in the SEC after one of the program’s worst performances. However, ESPN CFB analyst Greg McElroy believes Kentucky is a solid team, while the Aggies obviously have things to clean up before facing LSU.

Texas A&M’s defense was on par with starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s poor performance, especially the secondary, which gave up several explosive plays, while 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.

Advertisement

Throwing for 236 yards and running for 80 yards, Reed threw two touchdowns, but they came when the Aggies were already down 28-7 late in the third quarter; his inability to hit short passes was the real issue, even more problematic than his two interceptions. For McElroy, Texas A&M’s defense should be fixable, while the offense’s identity needs to get back to running the ball effectively, which sets up play-action opportunities for Reed.

Texas A&M’s offensive line played better against Kentucky, despite giving up 18 pressures, and opened up plenty of holes in the run game. LSU’s defense should do a better job containing the run, but going away from it early would be a mistake and would once again put Marcel Reed in a bad spot on the road.

Depending on 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, Texas A&M’s chances of pulling off the upset will likely depend on the health of the roster by game day.