COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Mike Elko made a bold move and it paid off with a key win for Texas A&M.

With backup quarterback Marcel Reed taking charge of the offense, Texas A&M overcame difficulties and climbed to the top of the SEC standings.

Could Texas A&M go to the SEC championship game? What about the College Football Playoff? And could Elko snag SEC coach of the year honors?

All of this seems within reach after the Aggies, ranked No. 14, triumphed over No. 7 LSU with a score of 38-23 on Saturday night in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 108,852 at Kyle Field.

The Aggies (7-1) are now 5-0 in the SEC for the first time in their history.

The credit goes to Texas A&M’s first-year head coach for making a gutsy substitution in the third quarter, and to their backup quarterback for outmaneuvering an LSU defense that appeared completely unprepared for Reed.

LSU’s pass-rush kept the Aggies starting quarterback, Conner Weigman, under pressure for most of 2½ quarters. Defensive pressure increased as sacks piled up. LSU had a 10-point lead, albeit they could have been ahead by a larger margin.

Faced with mounting pressure, Elko decided to bring in Reed, replacing the pocket passer Weigman.

Reed orchestrated three touchdown drives while attempting just one pass.

There was no need to pass when the Reed-option was tricking the Tigers entirely.

This quarterback, who runs like a receiver, scored three touchdowns on the ground, set up another score by handing off to Le’Veon Moss, and pushed LSU (6-2) to the edge of playoff elimination.

“We needed to run the ball. We needed Marcel’s legs,” Elko explained. “We felt that the style of offense Marcel brings would ignite us.”

It’s safe to say that strategy was a success, with Reed’s performance following Elko’s critical decision placing the Aggies in a strong position for the playoffs.

Looking ahead, the Aggies have just one ranked team (Texas) remaining on their schedule.

“Right now, we have an incredible opportunity that we want to seize,” added Elko.

Two months into the season, it’s clear that firing Jimbo Fisher was a smart move for the Aggies.

Elko has been resolving issues that would have left Fisher grasping for answers without results.

Marcel Reed lifts Texas A&M after Conner Weigman falters

Would Reed keep the ball or pass it to Moss? The Tigers guessed wrong play after play.

The first time Reed made a second pass, it was a stunning 54-yard throw to Noah Thomas, leading to the fourth touchdown drive.

This in-game switch highlighted Elko’s growth as a coach since he had stuck with a struggling Weigman during an early season loss to Notre Dame where the Aggies only scored once.

A quarterback change would have been a prudent choice that night; thankfully, Elko learned from that mistake.

Reed displayed his potential to lead the Aggies to success earlier in the season, going 3-0 as a starter while Weigman was recovering from an injury. Once Weigman returned to health, Elko gave him back the reins, which paid off when Weigman looked stellar in a victory over Missouri.

Managing two quarterbacks can be very challenging even for seasoned coaches, but the Aggies’ new leader has balanced Weigman and Reed effectively in recent weeks, delivering victories for hungry fans.

In the first half, the Aggies struggled offensively, while LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier showcased his impressive arm, catching the attention of NFL scouts.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier loses fleeting Heisman hopes

At halftime, with LSU seemingly in control, there was speculation about Nussmeier entering the Heisman Trophy conversation.

But after three interceptions in the second half, let’s hold off on those New York City travel plans.

Nussmeier’s first interception was particularly damaging. With LSU ahead by two scores and gaining momentum, he made a risky throw across his body on third down. Aggies defensive back BJ Mayes intercepted the pass, and Reed found the end zone shortly after.

“I sparked something,” Reed remarked.

The momentum shifted dramatically to the Aggies, and they took the lead shortly thereafter.

LSU’s offense, which can look intimidating when Nussmeier connects with receivers like Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson, or Mason Taylor, became ineffective as he lost his touch in the second half without a reliable ground game to rely on.

Nussmeier was overwhelmed by the atmosphere after halftime, as Aggies fans decked out in black and waving white towels created an electric atmosphere that rattled the LSU players.

As the game drew to a close, the stadium’s speakers blasted Garth Brooks’ song “Calling Baton Rouge,” poking fun at LSU.

Is Austin really the best college football spot in Texas?

The second half at Kyle Field, lasting ninety minutes, seemed to say otherwise.

As the Aggies effectively contained Nussmeier and Reed showcased a swift offensive attack, it’s likely that every Aggies fan present was eagerly anticipating the Thanksgiving weekend.

We’ll determine then who reigns supreme in Texas, whether it’s the Longhorns or Texas A&M, but for now, it’s hard to dispute the Aggies’ top position in the SEC standings.