A&M's approach remains the same with NMSU coming to Aggieland

A football loss at South Carolina might have changed how some view Texas A&M.

However, the view hasn’t changed for the No. 15 Aggies.

A&M (7-1, 5-1) remains atop the SEC standings with No. 7 Tennessee, and the Aggies still control their destiny in a quest to reach the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.

Their approach also did not change during an open week. Nor will it change when they return from that open week to face New Mexico State (2-7) on Saturday night at 6:45 at Kyle Field.

“I think (it is) business as usual with maybe a little bit of an understanding that the urgency has got to go up,” A&M coach Mike Elko said earlier this week. “Everybody in our building understands these opportunities don’t come along all the time. We have a special chance. We’re at this point in the season, and we control everything.

“We certainly want to take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves. We don’t have any margin (for error). We’ve got to go. It’s time to go.”

The question is: How far can A&M go?

That may be determined by how the Maroon & White replace injured running back Le’Veon Moss and how much they improve tackling, which was abysmal in the 44-20 loss to South Carolina.

“We’ve got to figure out how to replace Le’Veon and all of his carries and all of his yards,” Elko acknowledged. “You look, and you try to figure out, ‘Here’s what we have now. How are we going to effectively move the football?’”

They start by promoting Amari Daniels into the role of featured back. Daniels averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry while rushing for 466 yards as Moss’ understudy.

Quarterback Marcel Reed figures to be incorporated more into the running game, too.

Defensively, the tackling had not been a major issue since the season-opening loss to Notre Dame. But after missing 25 tackles vs. South Carolina, A&M definitely needs to refocus.

New Mexico State would seem a perfect opponent for honing the running game and working on tackling skills.

The visiting Aggies (yes, New Mexico State is also known as the Aggies) — who upset Auburn last season — lost more than 30 players to the transfer portal.

Among the losses was star quarterback Diego Pavia, who is now at Vanderbilt. He led the Commodores to an upset victory over Alabama.

Without Pavia, New Mexico State has had problems at that position. Three quarterbacks have started this season. Santino Marucci, who has thrown for 439 yards, figures to start vs. A&M.

Quarterback issues are only one factor in New Mexico State only managing victories over Southeast Missouri, 23-16, and Louisiana Tech, 33-30, in overtime.

Still, Elko said New Mexico State is not without talent. He’s particularly impressed with running backs Seth McGowan and Mike Washington, who have combined for 1,172 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Elko also warned receivers TJ Pride and PJ Johnson III have the ability to make big plays.

New Mexico State’s defense has been problematic, though. It is ranked 127th in the nation in points allowed. Eight opponents have scored at least 30 points.

But Elko said NMSU’s multiple looks can cause problems for A&M.

“They get in three-down and four-down (sets),” Elko said. “They play a lot of different coverages, so they’re going to challenge us to identify fronts, identify pictures and make sure we’re operating at a level we need to operate.”