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Texas A&M Steps out of SEC Play, Hosts New Mexico State

Texas A&M-New Mexico State — © Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

No. 15 Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1 in the Southeastern Conference) returns from its second bye week of the season and steps out of SEC play to face New Mexico State (2-7, 1-5 in Conference USA) at 7:45 p.m. EST on Nov. 16 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

It will be Texas A&M's second-to-last home game of the season and serve as the team's annual Senior Day as the Aggies endeavor to get back on track following their loss to No. 21 South Carolina (6-3, 4-3) on Nov. 2.

What's at Stake?

As a nonconference game, this contest's outcome will have little or no impact on Texas A&M's chances of winning the SEC. However, a surprising third regular-season loss would be detrimental to the Aggies' College Football Playoff chances, effectively assuring they would need to win the conference championship to make the 12-team field.

Key Players: Texas A&M

Offense

QBs Marcel Reed, Conner Weigman

The Aggies have played both quarterbacks this season, with Reed providing better results for the most part. The freshman has accounted for nearly 1,200 yards of offense and 12 touchdowns with just 1 interception, while Weigman has been slightly less productive with 4 interceptions and only 3 TD passes on the year.

RBs Amari Daniels, EJ Smith

Texas A&M will lean on these two on the ground with leading rusher Le'Veon Moss done for the season. Daniels has been the most productive of the two with 466 yards and 6 TDs on 94 carries as the complementary back to Moss, while Smith has played sparingly with 107 yards on just 33 touches.

WR Noah Thomas

While the Aggies are still waiting for someone to emerge in the passing game, Thomas remains the leading receiver with 367 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is the only wide receiver on the team with multiple TD catches, and his 6-foot-6 frame provides a valuable target for whichever quarterback is in the game.

Defense

DL Nic Scourton

Scourton is one of the nation's best pass rushers, leading Texas A&M with 5 sacks. He also has 27 tackles, the most of any A&M defensive lineman this season.

LB Taurean York

The sophomore captain leads the team with 54 tackles thus far, 27 of which have come over the last 3 games.

DBs Will Lee III, BJ Mayes

Lee has been the leader of the Texas A&M secondary this year. He has 33 tackles, 9 pass breakups, and 1 interception. Mayes, meanwhile, has seen a steady increase in playing time and came up with 2 crucial interceptions on Oct. 26 against No. 22 LSU.

Key Players: New Mexico State

Offense

RBs Seth McGowan, Mike Washington

McGowan began his career at Oklahoma but is finally getting a chance as the starter for New Mexico State this season. He has run for 636 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and 3 touchdowns. Washington, a fellow transfer from Buffalo, adds to the rushing attack with more than 500 yards on the ground and 6 touchdowns.

WRs TJ Pride, PJ Johnson III

New Mexico State has only thrown for 1,049 yards and 7 touchdowns this year. Pride and Johnson have combined for 475 of those yards and 2 touchdowns.

Defense

LB Tyler Martinez

Martinez leads NMSU in tackles and will be a key component in stopping Texas A&M's running game. He has made at least 8 tackles in six games this season.

DE Kale Edwards

Edwards is New Mexico State's best pass rusher with 4 sacks, all of which came against Louisiana Tech. Given the struggles of the Texas A&M passing game, he'll play a critical role in trying to pull off the upset.

S Tayden Barnes

Barnes leads NMSU with 5 passes defended and is one of just four players on the team with an interception. He is also tied for third on the team in tackles with 41.

Trends to Watch

Texas A&M's offense has had its share of struggles this season, particularly in the passing game. This will be the Aggies' first game without star running back Le'Veon Moss, who left the Nov. 2 game against South Carolina with a season-ending injury. Daniels and Smith will carry most of the load, but head coach Mike Elko has been notably coy about any other options to replace Moss's production.

New Mexico State has the 122nd-ranked rush defense, so it shouldn't be too difficult for Texas A&M to get its running game going, even without its main weapon. Plus, New Mexico State ranks among the worst offenses in the country, while Texas A&M has an elite defense. This game could be a blowout.