Three Things I Know, Three Things I Don't: Aggies Host Florida

Mike Elko and his Texas A&M squad are looking to start the season 6-0 for the first time since 2016, when Kevin Sumlin guided the Aggies to an unbeaten start before falling to No. 1 Alabama. It would also mark just the second time since 1994 under R.C. Slocum, when A&M finished the year 10-0-1.

The Aggies look to carry their momentum into a matchup with the Gators — a team Mike Elko described as “more talented” than any they’ve faced this season — before hitting the road for an extended stretch. Heading into the game, here are Three Things I Know and Three Things I Don’t.

Three Things I Know

#1: Collin Klein‘s offensive unit has to get the game under control early, and they have to open strong at home and set the tone early with a statement drive to kick off the game. Too often this season, the offense has taken until the second half to find its rhythm after sluggish starts — something they can’t afford against a talented and disciplined Florida defense.

Whether it be turnovers, which have not been a problem for the unit to this point, or flags that have plagued the offensive line to this point, they have to get their feet under them early. We continue to see drive stall or get killed by costly penalties, putting them behind in early downs. To avoid third down, they have to play a clean game.

If they can stay ahead of the chains, limit third-down situations, and capitalize on scoring opportunities, it’s hard to see this offense falling behind.

#2: Texas A&M’s front should be able to neutralize much of what Florida’s offense did successfully against Texas a week ago. In turn, that should force quarterback DJ Lagway into more pressure situations — even after he looked like the passer many expected him to be all season in last week’s performance.

Texas A&M’s cornerbacks have looked solid in recent weeks, and with Dallas Wilson’s breakout performance in Gainesville, he won’t be catching anyone off guard this time. He’s as talented as any receiver in the country, but the Aggie secondary should be equipped to limit his impact.

Up front, Cashius Howell is likely the best defensive end Florida has faced all season, and with the continued emergence of Daymion Sanford and the return of Scooby Williams at linebacker, A&M’s defense has a real chance to bottle up the Gators’ ground game as well.

#3: This weekend presents Mike Elko with a chance to notch one of the best starts in recent Texas A&M history — and to do it against a Florida staff that has consistently struggled on the road since Billy Napier’s arrival.

Napier’s best road win to date actually came in College Station a few years ago, when the Gators defeated the Aggies 41–24 behind Anthony Richardson. But context matters — that was during Texas A&M’s 5–7 campaign under Jimbo Fisher, when more than 30 players were sidelined by a flu outbreak that left the Aggies severely shorthanded.

This time around, Elko’s squad is healthy, confident, and in position to flip the script.

Three Things I Don’t Know

#1: While he’s had a rocky start to the season — and, to this point, a turbulent career at Florida — former five-star quarterback and Willis (TX) native DJ Lagway is coming off his best performance of the year in last week’s win over Texas. The lingering question, though, is which version of Lagway we’ll see this weekend.

He’s as talented as any quarterback in the country, but Lagway has struggled so far with turnovers and overall comfort in the pocket. The addition of Dallas Wilson to Florida’s receiving corps seemed to help him settle in last week, but to this point in the season, no quarterback has looked truly comfortable against the Aggies’ defense.

We’ll see what he’s able to do this weekend in his first game back home, but I have a feeling Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will look to make him uncomfortable early — with plenty of help from the 12th Man.

#2: With Scooby Williams returning, questions remain about how Texas A&M will deploy its linebackers. While Williams was the top performer at the position when he played, Daymion Sanford has stepped up in his absence, and Taurean York has finally started to find his groove. How Elko and Bateman mix these pieces — and how it affects the overall defensive rotation — is still to be seen.

Head coach Mike Elko has emphasized that, even with Williams’ return, Sanford will continue to see significant playing time. In a two-linebacker system, it will be interesting to see the different looks and strategies the staff employs with the unit.

#3: Heading into this matchup, questions remain about how Texas A&M will attack a top-ranked Florida defense that has successfully countered much of what other offenses have tried this season. How the Aggies choose to approach the game — in both scheme and tempo — will be crucial.

Looking at the schedule, the Aggies likely present the most potent Air Raid attack Florida has faced all season. And while Texas struggled to run the ball last week, Adam Cushing’s offensive line is a stronger, deeper unit compared to the one in Austin. Coupled with a healthy and deeper running back room — assuming lead back Le’Veon Moss continues to recover from his stomach issue — A&M has the pieces to challenge Florida’s defense both in the air and on the ground.

One key factor in the Aggies’ win at Florida a year ago — in what was Marcel Reed’s first career start — was his ability to create and extend plays with his legs. While we haven’t seen nearly as much mobility or designed quarterback runs this season as initially expected, this matchup feels like one where that skill could play a major role.