If it’s possible for a team to lead the Southeastern Conference and fly under the radar, No. 14 Texas A&M might just qualify for that distinction.
Since losing the season opener at home against Notre Dame, the Aggies (6-1, 4-0) have quietly won six straight games and are one of just two unbeaten teams in SEC play.
That status will get a big test Saturday night when the other undefeated team in SEC games, No. 8 LSU, invades College Station, Texas, for a prime-time matchup with potential College Football Playoff ramifications.
“I don’t listen to the outside noise,” Texas A&M linebacker Scooby Williams said. “The only noise that matters is the noise between us. It’s about listening to (coach Mike) Elko, our coaches and my teammates.”
Texas A&M has been listening and playing well since the calendar flipped to September. The Aggies came off their first bye last week and topped Mississippi State 34-24 in Starkville, Miss., getting two touchdowns from Le’Veon Moss and converting 9 of 14 third downs.
While the Aggies have been productive on offense during their winning streak, the real key has been a defense that ranks in the top 20 in points allowed per game (17.7). They have also been able to get off the field, limiting opponents to a 30.9 percent conversion rate on third downs, tied for 17th in the nation.
Even so, Elko is wary of the Tigers’ offense, and for good reason. With quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, four capable receivers and an emerging running back, Caden Durham, they have the balance required to keep any defense off-balance.
LSU (6-1, 3-0) also has an offensive line that hasn’t allowed a sack in four games, including its 34-10 victory last week at Arkansas.
“They have a clearly established No. 1 (receiver), but they also have three other people, including a tight end, that can flat-out beat you if you don’t pay attention to them,” Elko said. “The challenge is week in, week out in this league. That’s just SEC football.”
The Tigers made that challenge look fairly easy last week against the Razorbacks, who were coming off a huge win over then-No. 4 Tennessee. LSU never trailed and saddled up Durham, a freshman who rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.
What’s more, Durham did it despite a foot injury that coach Brian Kelly said reduced him to about 80 to 85 percent capacity. On the season, Durham has 382 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, and he is averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
“A lot of guys would not be in the game,” Kelly said of Durham’s injury. “He’s got great vision, he’s got toughness (and he) keeps his legs moving. I’m really impressed with a freshman running back that is not playing at 100 percent but (is) in there playing with grit and toughness.”
It helps that Nussmeier is such a potent force under center. He has thrown for 2,222 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions this year. Three Tigers have at least 30 catches, led by wide receiver Kyren Lacy and tight end Mason Taylor with 36 apiece.
LSU topped Texas A&M 42-30 in Baton Rouge, La., last year, the seventh season in a row that the host team won the matchup.
