In-studio chat with former Aggie linebacker coach Alan Weddell

Ahead of a massive showdown at Kyle Field, former Texas A&M LBs coach and THSCA Hall of Famer Alan Weddell stopped by the studio to preview Saturday's exciting matchup between the Aggies and Tigers as well as discuss culture of Mike Elko's program.

Key notes from Alan Weddell interview

• I think we've seen improvement. I think the biggest improvement we've seen is the culture in the locker room. The defensive-minded coach with the team behind it. No one is worried about how many times they touch the ball, how many passes they complete and how many tackles they have. That's the defensive-minded football coach bringing that to the locker room. These kids seem to like each other and today in the portal is difficult. That's why you see teams that hit the portal like Auburn fail. The Aggies transfers have contributed quite a bit.

• No one is going to have their best game always. Conner Weigman is a leader, and he has confidence. The team has confidence in him. He was off a little bit. It could have been the routes. It could've been anything. He's a winner, and that's the key. Looking back at the Notre Dame game, that was a tight game with a QB with a bum shoulder from the second quarter on. It takes a while to get the rust off and return to the mindset.

• The offensive line has been this football team's hidden gem. They're cohesive, well-coached, like each other, and play hard. They had some injuries, but they have overcome them. They had some kids play when they were hurt — not injured but hurt. When you play when you're in pain, your teammates play a little harder, too. 

• It's just a well-rounded football team. I don't see the weaknesses. They questioned the corners, but they've been playing well. They questioned the offensive line, but they've been good. We have two or three tight ends, and that was a question. The defensive line is the strength. This is a very solid team. The SEC is a circular firing squad for the playoffs. You have three-loss football teams in the SEC that can easily win other conferences. 

• Portal, chemistry, little things like that. I always said if I had heart surgery from a football player, I'd want him to be from Vanderbilt.

• LSU has won close games and that means a lot in this conference. They know how to win and have improved a lot since the first week, as have we. This is a game between the contenders and the pretenders. I think the winner of this has a great shot to win the conference, go to the conference championship game, and go to the playoffs.

• Scooby Williams had a great game. Taurean York is as solid as can be. We can wear them down with our offensive line and running backs. I think Conner will use his legs this week, which will make the difference.

• Alabama is so close, yet so far. They're missing something, and I don't know what it is. For some reason, they can't finish.

• I think we're going to wear them down. I think we're going to win in the fourth quarter. I think it will be a tighter ball game with a touchdown. Ultimately, they'll wear them down, and the defensive line will put enough pressure on them because of the depth. We'll get a big turnover late. The 12th Man will make a difference because they will be there all night. 

• From the chemistry, defensive and team standpoints, everyone is going to do it for the name that's on their chest. It means a lot to them.