Texas A&M blows past LSU: No. 3 Aggies flex muscles in statement road win over No. 20 Tigers

Texas A&M came into the season with hopes of making the College Football Playoff. After a historic 8-0 start, the Aggies might not have been thinking big enough. The program sits at 8-0 and tied with Alabama for No. 1 in the SEC. They are the only undefeated remaining, as the Tide have a loss to Texas A&M. 

With the win, Texas A&M is in full control of their SEC and the national picture. The Aggies are wins over Samford and South Carolina away from earning a CFP trip. They will also be favored in games against Missouri and Texas. 

But after an effort like this, Texas A&M looked the part of a serious national championship contender. The ability to win in all three phases of the game with regularity and playmaking gives Texas A&M the highest ceiling since Johnny Manziel… and maybe more. 

LSU came into the season with legitimate national championship aspirations. After picking up a third loss at home -- in a Tiger Stadium night game -- the Tigers are picking up the pieces of the Brian Kelly era. 

LSU moved to 5-3 after the loss, including 2-3 in SEC play, essentially eliminating them from both national and SEC contention. The program still has games remaining against No. 4 Alabama and No. 13 Oklahoma on the road too, leaving the door open to the season getting even worse. 

The Tigers allowed a 28-0 run to start the second half and just have been completely unable to get out of their own way. Kelly's run with Garrett Nussmeier, Harold Perkins and many other elite playmakers on both sides ultimately ends in disappointment. 

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed made his first major appearance last season against LSU, scoring three touchdowns in a come-from-behind victory. Against the Tigers this year, he was even better. 

The sophomore overcame two early interceptions to explode for 200 yards passing, 100 yards rushing and four total touchdowns. He spread the ball around to six different receivers, and bought time to create opportunities for KC Concepcion and Ashton Bethel-Roman to pull off big gains. 

Offensive coordinator Collin Klein embraces a dual-threat quarterback, and he has quickly transformed Reed into one of the nation's most electric players. 

FINAL: Texas A&M 49, LSU 25

Texas A&M used a monster second-half effort to zoom past LSU and move a step closer to the SEC Championship Game. The Aggies scored 35 unanswered points in the second half behind a strong effort from quarterback Marcel Reed to fly past LSU for a historic victory. 

The win is the first for Texas A&M in Baton Rouge since 1994, and snaps a streak of eight straight wins for the home team in this game. The Aggies move to 8-0 for the first time since 1992 after the win. 

LSU held an 18-14 lead going into halftime against the Aggies, set up by a pair of interceptions from Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed. However, the Aggies quickly came out and put together three touchdown drives, and added another 79-yard punt return for a touchdown by KC Concepcion that extended the lead. 

Reed shook off his early mistakes and threw for 202 yards, rushed for 108 yards and score four total touchdowns in the win. He threw for at least 40 yards to each of Concepcion, Ashton Bethel-Roman and Mario Craver. Star defensive end Cashius Howell was also exceptional with two sacks on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. 

Nussmeier threw for only 168 yards and a touchdown, while the LSU offense mustered only 55 yards rushing on 25 carries behind a struggling offensive line. Freshman Harlem Berry was a rare bright spot with 59 yards rushing and a touchdown. 

4Q: Texas A&M 49, LSU 18

LSU decided to go for it on fourth down deep in their own territory to keep the game alive, but Texas A&M quickly made them pay. Jamarion Morrow rattled off an 11-yard touchdown run to push the lead out to 31. Remember, this was an 18-14 game at halftime. 

Late 3Q: Texas A&M 42, LSU 18

No. 3 Texas A&M is just under 15 minutes away from picking up another signature win on the road against No. 20 LSU. The Aggies have exploded in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points to turn a close game into a blowout. Tight end Nate Boerkircher just took a carry over the pile for a fourth touchdown in the second half. 

Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed had both a passing and rushing touchdown in the period, with a connection to Jamarion Morrow for 24 yards. However, the gamebreaker was a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown from KC Concepcion, who also has a receiving touchdown from Reed. 

LSU recorded only 14 yards in the third period, including negative yardage on the ground, as Texas A&M's defensive line has started to eviscerate the struggling Tigers unit. LSU has only 203 yards and two of their scores came off of turnovers. 

3Q: Texas A&M 28, LSU 18

Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion has played well on offense with 45 yards and a touchdown, but his biggest play of the day came on special teams. After a third down sack from DJ Hicks, Concepcion fielded a punt and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. The score gave Texas A&M a two-score lead in the third quarter, and leaves them in control of the game. 

3Q: Texas A&M 21, LSU 18

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has unleashed his legs against Texas A&M, and broke through for a five-yard touchdown scamper to finish a nine-play, 56-yard drive to start the second half. Reed is up to 88 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries as Texas A&M captures a second-half lead. 

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane -- perhaps the best player on the team -- had to leave the game in the third quarter after appearing to land on his head during a play. Delane was lining up for the next play, but went down and pointed to the sideline to be subbed out. 

Texas A&M has marched down the field methodically in the second half, traveling six plays for 45 yards to get onto the edge of the red zone. They'll have a chance to retake the lead after the substitution. 

HALF: LSU 18, Texas A&M 14

No. 20 LSU holds a halftime lead against No. 3 Texas A&M after miscues by the Aggies let the Tigers back in the game. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed threw a pair of critical interceptions -- one in the end zone -- to set up LSU scoring drives as they took the lead after a field goal. 

Texas A&M has moved the ball at will against the Tigers, averaging 7.8 yards per play in the half with two scoring drives. Reed rushed for a 41-yard touchdown and found KC Concepcion for another. But after a nifty reception by Ashton Bethel-Roman got the Aggies into scoring range, an interception by A.J. Haulcy helped set up a 75-yard drive by the LSU offense. 

Freshman running back Harlem Berry has stepped up for the Tigers, leading the team with 56 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had 121 yards and a score in the half. Reed added 172 yards and a touchdown, along with the two interceptions. 

2Q: LSU 15, Texas A&M 14

Texas A&M was positioned to take a two-touchdown lead against LSU in the second quarter, but a big mistake from Marcel Reed ultimately changed the game. A.J. Haulcy intercepted Reed in the end zone, which set up an eight-play, 75-yard drive for LSU, easily its best of the evening. 

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier connected with Barion Brown for. 41-yard reception, which helped open the door for the running game to get going. Harlem Berry has seized his moment, including a seven-yard touchdown run to take their first lead. 

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has been masterful against LSU, but just had a game-changing interception in the end zone to flip the field. First, he found Ashton Bethel-Roman for a nifty one-handed connection to get into scoring range. 

But two plays later, he threw a poorly-timed ball into the end zone, which was intercepted by A.J. Haulcy. The Aggies had a chance to take control of the game, but wasted it. 

2Q: Texas A&M 14, LSU 9

LSU's offense has stalled, but the Tigers are getting big-time contributions from their other units. After forcing a punt, the LSU special teams unit managed to break through and block a punt, which went through the back of the end zone for a safety. LSU now gets the ball back with a chance to take the lead, a huge opportunity for the Tigers. 

End 1Q: Texas A&M 14, LSU 7

Texas A&M holds a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter against LSU at Tiger Stadium. The Aggies have moved the ball at will against LSU's highly-ranked defense, stringing together touchdown drives of 75 and 68 yards to take an early lead in Baton Rouge. 

Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed is responsible for both touchdowns on great plays. Reed bought time and broke off a 41-yard rushing touchdown early. Later, he found KC Concepcion for a 15-yard touchdown reception, his third connection with the standout receiver. The Aggies are averaging 8.9 yards per play against one of the SEC's top defenses.

LSU has put the ball in the hands of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as its run game continues to struggle. After giving up a sack on the first drive, Nussmeier helped dice the Texas A&M defense as he finished with 50 yards and a touchdown toss to Trey'Dez Green. 

Texas A&M faced a six-man rush by LSU's defense on third down, but Reed sat back and found receiver KC Concepcion for a critical first down. Reed has done a nice job scanning the field and creating opportunities for his teammates. His mobility has been a big asset. 

1Q: LSU 7, Texas A&M 7

After a disappointing first drive, LSU put the ball in the hands of its star quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier. The senior threw passes on six straight plays, thre of which went to tight end Trey'Dez Green, including a five-yard touchdown. Nussmeier is 7-of-9 to start the game for 50 yards as the Tigers try to keep up with a high-powered offense. 

1Q: Texas A&M 7, LSU 0

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has done most of his damage with his arm, but his legs remain a major advantage. The sophomore bought time and ran off a 41-yard touchdown right through the teeth of the highly-touted LSU secondary. The Aggies have an early lead in Baton Rouge, a locale they have not won since 1994. 

Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell found himself on an island against true freshman left tackle Carius Curne. Howell pushed wide against Curne and managed to get around the edge and pick up his first sack of the game against LSU, his 8.5th of the season. LSU's offensive line is already feeling Texas A&M. 

Texas A&M won the toss and opted to kick off, which will put LSU's beleaguered offense on the field for the first drive. The Tigers have only scored more than 20 points once against a Power Four opponents, a 31-24 loss against No. 17 Vanderbilt last week. 

The Aggies face their toughest defense of the season as Mario Craver and KC Concepcion match up with future NFLers led by Mansoor Delane. It will be an ugly, low-scoring game, but Texas A&M will shut down LSU's running game and force mistakes with their aggressive defense. The Aggies survive Tiger Stadium and move one step closer to clinching a spot in the SEC title game. Pick: Texas A&M -2.5

Texas A&M vs. LSU prediction, pick, odds, spread: Aggies, Tigers set for crucial SEC matchup in Death Valley

Shehan Jeyarajah

LSU has struggled on the offensive line, and things only got worse after starting left tackle Tyree Adams was ruled out for several weeks with ankle surgery. Instead of turning to an experienced backup, true frehsman Carius Curne was slotted into the starting lineup at left tackle. The Marion, Arkansas, product was listed as an interior lineman by the recruiting services, but rated as the No. 67 player in the Top247. 

Curne was named to the 247Sports "Freaks" List after recording a 4.81 40-yard dash at more than 300 pounds. He also can apparently down running back handspring flips with a massive frame. He recorded 62 snaps against Ole Miss at right tackle, posting a 80.3 pass block grade, per Pro Football Focus. 

Texas A&M has a history of strong edge rushers, but senior Cashius Howell is putting himself in rare territory during a breakout season. Howell ranks No. 6 nationally with 7.5 sacks to pace an improved Aggies defense. However, Howell was held without a sack in his only ranked matchup against No. 12 Notre Dame. He has a big opportunity against a struggling LSU offensive line. 

Texas A&M's wide receivers against LSU's secondary marks one of the best position battles of the weekend. The Aggies have gotten explosive production from Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, both transfers. LSU similarly rebuilt its secondary in a year, adding Mansoor Delane and A.J. Haulcy to quickly rebuild a strong unit. 

Now, the two strengths match up in a pivotal spot for both programs. With a win, the Aggies come a step closer to clinching a spot in the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers can also still recover if they win out; but the No. 3 Aggies are one of the toughest teams in the country.