Texas A&M and Texas have waited 13 long years to renew their historic rivalry, so they can wait another week because the Aggies cannot be caught looking ahead. With everything still to play for, Mike Elko & Co. must be focused as they travel to Auburn for a Saturday night clash.

Texas A&M was outplayed in all phases of the game on Saturday night, as the South Carolina Gamecocks rolled to a 44-20 victory over the Aggies at Williams-Brice Stadium. Though the Ags now have their first SEC blemish in 2024, Mike Elko & Co. still have everything left to play for.

Texas A&M out-physical'd LSU to improve to 5-0 in conference play and claim sole possession of first place in the SEC. While Saturday night's second-half comeback was surely special, Mike Elko knows that the tough tests will continue coming for his Aggie squad.

There have been classics (one that even took seven overtimes) and upsets, but never has an SEC meeting between Texas A&M and LSU meant as much as Saturday night's matchup between the No. 14 Aggies and No. 8 Tigers. Truly, Week 9's showdown will just mean more.

The blueprint Mike Elko & Co. created in the offseason seemingly came to fruition as Texas A&M beat Missouri to a pulp and put the entire college football world on notice. With a few repeat showings, don't be surprised to see the Aggies squarely in the SEC and playoff races.

Similar to the way the last 13 seasons have played out, Texas A&M and Arkansas played a nail-biting, back-and-forth game with the Aggies coming away with the 21-17 victory. It would not have made sense for the final edition of the rivalry at Jerryworld to have played out differently.

As seen in Saturday's near-miss against Bowling Green, Texas A&M is still a long way from being where they want to be, but also closer to getting there than many realize. It remains clear that the first year under Mike Elko will be a “survive and advance” type of campaign.

The culture of Mike Elko's Texas A&M football program wasn't built or solidified with just one road victory in Gainesville, but the foundation for the Aggies is apparent. Now it becomes paramount that the Maroon & White continue to build on the success found in Florida.

The Aggies showed some signs of necessary improvement on Saturday against an overmatched McNeese team, but now a vitally important trip to Gainesville looms. Texas A&M's new goal is turning a feel-good win into a feel-good stretch.

In search of a primetime breakthrough, Texas A&M suffered an offensive breakdown in the first game of the Mike Elko on Saturday night. Now one game into a 12-game regular season, there is obviously a lot for the Aggies to address as the Aggies' search goes on.

In 2021, Texas A&M's loss in Oxford started what is now an eight-game road losing streak. With another trip to Ole Miss up next, Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies have a great opportunity to end those road woes while also getting payback on Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.

Just three weeks after a disappointing early-season setback at Miami, Jimbo Fisher's Aggies are exhibiting passion, physicality and poise in starting 2-0 in conference play. With Alabama coming to town, Texas A&M's formula must continue to extend a modest winning streak.

With A&M riding high into AT&T Stadium after an impressive showing against Auburn, the Ags are pursing another big SEC win before taking on Alabama. At a crucial point in the season, a W over Arkansas can serve as a boost heading into the rest of a grueling conference slate.

Following a disappointing setback against Miami in South Beach, Jimbo Fisher & Co. bounced back with a convincing non-conference win over ULM on Saturday. Questions still remain, and can A&M prove it learned its lesson in the SEC-opener when Auburn comes to town?

Following an early-season setback, Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies are now facing even bigger question marks than expected. The biggest question being whether or not A&M was truly exposed on Saturday or if Miami simply found correctable flaws.

Following a successful tune-up against New Mexico, the Maroon & White are now staring down their first true test of the season as the Aggies travel to Miami next week. For a program with something to prove, returning from South Beach with a win is paramount for Texas A&M.

In a year where the SEC West appears up for grabs, the talent and experience on Texas A&M's roster could have the Aggies poised to emerge seemingly out of nowhere to compete. Jimbo Fisher & Co. certainly have something to prove, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

A top-five win to close a frustrating campaign sends Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies into a crucial offseason with legitimate reasons for hope. With plenty of top-tier talent already on campus, what happens in Aggieland over the next couple of months is extremely important.