Myopic Aggies focused on task at hand with South Carolina up next

Thus far, Texas A&M has completed all the tasks that have been faced on its long Southeastern Conference football journey.

End a 10-game losing streak on the road? Check.
Contain Arkansas’ powerful running game? Check.
Subdue Missouri’s big-play passing attack? Check.
Exorcize the demons of Starkville? Check.
Defeat surging LSU? Check.

Suddenly, praise is being heaped upon the Aggies.

National pundits, podcasters and broadcasters who typically dismiss the Aggies now hail them as bona fide SEC title contenders.

Being the only unbeaten team in the SEC race will change minds. But the Aggies cannot change their mindset.

They must ignore the hype and avoid hyperopia.

Hyperopia is a condition that causes difficulty seeing objects up close. It’s more commonly known as farsightedness.

It’s tempting to look far down the road for what could be won. But to actually win, the Aggies must be myopic (nearsighted).

Fortunately, that appears to be a strong characteristic of coach Mike Elko’s team. Elko preaches about focusing on what’s at close range. He’s confident the Aggies have gotten the message.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Texas A&M leads the series with South Carolina, 9-1. The Aggies lone loss came on their last trip to Columbia in 2022.

That was clear in postgame interviews after A&M’s 38-23 victory over LSU.

Asked what that win did for the Aggies, quarterback Marcel Reed would look no further than the next game vs. South Carolina.

“It really doesn’t do much,” Reed said. “We won this game, but it’s on to the next. We’re not worried about this. We’re going to start preparing for South Carolina because it’s the next game ahead. And we’ve still got a long journey this season trying to get where we want to go.”

Reed’s response indicates the Aggies acknowledge their journey to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game can hit a roadblock in Columbia, SC.

The Gamecocks are no pushovers, especially on their home field. They have a powerful pass rush, an opportunistic defense that forces turnovers and an offense with big-play capabilities.

Kind of like A&M.

Elko knows that if the Aggies take South Carolina lightly, they will probably lose. Therefore, he was encouraged by Reed’s response.

“I like what I hear from (A&M players) when they talk to (media). I think that means the messaging is getting through,” Elko said. “We’ve tried to attack this thing from a mindset of we need to improve every week; we need to get better every week; we need to approach every challenge and give ourselves the opportunity to earn success every week.”

Defensive tackle Albert Regis echoed Elko.

“We have our ups and downs,” Regis said. “But at the end of the day, we’re staying focused and staying true to what coach Elko has in store and what he’s planned.

“It takes every ounce of effort — mental, physical, emotional — to stay true. Regardless of what happens, we have to continue bouncing back.”

It’s true the Aggies have one of the SEC’s most productive running games. It’s true the Aggies' defense is elite. It’s true Reed provides a jolt of electricity to the offense.

It’s also true the Aggies cannot look past South Carolina. Elko doesn’t think they will.

“They’re locked in and focused on what we’re capable of,” Elko said. “I think what we’re capable of has got to be the next step — growth, development. If we finished 5-3 in the SEC, I don’t think anybody in our locker room would be real happy with that.”