The numbers that tell the tale of the Aggies comeback win over LSU
It’s still a bit hard to believe that it happened, but Texas A&M came back from a 10-point halftime deficit and defeated the LSU Tigers 38-23 at Kyle Field on Saturday night. It instantly becomes the signaure win of the Mike Elko era thus far, moving the Aggies to 7-1 and in sole possession of first place in the SEC.
This was honestly a game where the final stats bely the result a bit, but let’s look at some of the stats that illustrate how it happened, and what the win means for the rest of the Aggies’ season.
Salient Stats
- 0: Other teams who are undefeated in SEC play. The Aggies enter November controlling their own destiny in the conference standings for the first time since joining the SEC, and are 5-0 in conference play for the first time since 1998. And oh doctor, I think we all know what happened that season.
- 2: Interceptions for A&M nickel corner B.J. Mayes. You really can’t overstate how big those two picks were in turning the tide in this game. The first came with the Aggies down 10 and set up a short field for the offense (with Marcel Reed scoring on the very next play). The next gave the offense yet another short field and allowed the Ags to take the lead for good.
- 3: Failed FG attempts for LSU. It’s honestly impressive in its own way that they kept finding new and creative ways to mess things up. First it was a kick pushed to the left, then a long try that came up short, and finally a premature snap. Obviously the final margin of victory made those misses seem less pivotal, but they absolutely kept the Aggies in the game early when it felt like LSU was going to run away with it. Very much appreciated, Tigers.
- 3.9: Yards per carry advantage for the Aggies (4.9 YPC to LSU’s 1.0). RBs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels along with QB Marcel Reed ate up yards on the ground, combining for 236 yards on 36 carries and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, LSU managed only 24 yards rushing on the day, including ZERO IN THE SECOND HALF!!! The Aggies are now in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense, but will face a stout South Carolina defense on the road in Week 10.
- 4: Straight wins over LSU at Kyle Field. After Kevin Sumlin went 0-6 against the Tigers, there was not very much juice to this rival. But with the Ags holding a 4-3 advantage since then (and the home team winning every game), I think the animosity between these two fanbases (and teams) is beginning to blossom. This shoehorned rivalry may finally be starting to break in a little bit.
- 6: Second-half points allowed by the A&M defense. In fact, the Aggies have only allowed 26 second-half points in their last FOUR SEC games combined. Mike Elko was known as the king of halftime adjustments during his stint as DC in Aggieland, and he and Jay Bateman appear to be living up to that billing once again this season.
- 46.6%: Chances of making the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). Still a lot of football to go, but I’m definitely take those odds in year one of a new coaching staff.
- 104: Straight games in which LSU won when they led by 10+ points at halftime. It was also the first time A&M has come back from a halftime deficit of 10+ points since the 2013 Chick Fil A Bowl vs Duke. I didn’t think it was possible to have a more unexpected and satisfying comeback than that one, but the Aggies pulled it off on Saturday.
- 108,852: The third-largest crowd in Kyle Field history wore black and made their voices heard in an absolutely electric atmosphere. Between the crowd and the A&M offensive and defensive lines, LSU seemed to absolutely cave down the stretch. It’s a testament to the fact that crowds can’t win games on their own, but they care certainly make it a lot easier.
EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR HEADING INTO NOVEMBER! #BTHOsouthcarolina