No. 14 Texas A&M gets shot to raise profile vs. No. 8 LSU

If it’s possible for a team to lead the Southeastern Conference and fly under the radar, No. 14 Texas A&M might just qualify for that distinction.Since losing the season opener at home against Notre Dame, the Aggies (6-1, 4-0) have quietly won six straight games and are one of just two unbeaten teams in SEC play.That status will get a big test Saturday night when the other undefeated team in SEC games, No. 8 LSU, invades College Station, Texas, for a prime-time matchup with potential College Football Playoff ramifications.”I don’t listen to the outside noise,” Texas A&M linebacker Scooby Williams said. “The only noise that matters is the noise between us. It’s about listening to (coach Mike) Elko, our coaches and my teammates.”Texas A&M has been listening and playing well since the calendar flipped to September. The Aggies came off their first bye last week and topped Mississippi State 34-24 in Starkville, Miss., getting two touchdowns from Le’Veon Moss and converting 9 of 14 third downs.While the Aggies have been productive on offense during their winning streak, the real key has been a defense that ranks in the top 20 in points allowed per game (17.7). They have also been able to get off the field, limiting opponents to a 30.9 percent conversion rate on third downs, tied for 17th in the nation.Even so, Elko is wary of the Tigers’ offense, and for good reason. With quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, four capable receivers and an emerging running back, Caden Durham, they have the balance required to keep any defense off-balance.LSU (6-1, 3-0) also has an offensive line that hasn’t allowed a sack in four games, including its 34-10 victory last week at Arkansas.”They have a clearly established No. 1 (receiver), but they also have three other people, including a tight end, that can flat-out beat you if you don’t pay attention to them,” Elko said. “The challenge is week in, week out in this league. That’s just SEC football.”

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