4-0 Texas A&M Finally Looks Like It Has the Heart for SEC Grind

It was just like the late Yogi Berra used to say; it was deja vu all over again.

For the second straight year, the Texas A&M Aggies needed a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback against the Arkansas Razorbacks during their neutral-site showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. And for the second straight year, that’s exactly what happened.

The dramatic details and overtime score (28-21 compared to last season’s 35-28) were a lot alike—this time requiring a bomb, key two-point conversion, defensive sack and fumble, and a touchdown pass on the second play of overtime instead of the first—but that’s where the similarities end.

This time both the season and long-term impacts could be vastly different.

A year ago, Arkansas used the close game to rally during the second half of the season. Due to its physical nature and pounding running game, the Razorbacks became the team no one wanted to play.

This time it’s pretty obvious that the Razorbacks can stick a fork in their season. They may be only 0-1 in conference play, but after three straight losses Arkansas is already looking at missing out on a bowl game.

Moreover, head coach Bret Bielema can’t seem to stop finding new ways to lose. In games decided by 10 points or fewer, his Razorbacks are 0-10.

The exact opposite appears to be happening with the Aggies, although even after winning this game in 2014, they were the ones who went into a tailspin. Texas A&M responded with a winless October against three ranked opponents, losing 48-41 at No. 12 Mississippi State, 35-20 to No. 3 Ole Miss and then bottomed out with a 59-0 pasting at Alabama.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The month will again have a huge impact on Texas A&M’s season, but its fans have good reason to be more optimistic. The Aggies get Mississippi State and Alabama at home, followed by at Ole Miss on the road and then South Carolina.

Did you watch Ole Miss struggle against Vanderbilt? Are you convinced Alabama’s passing game is up to par?

Regardless, the Aggies are again off to a good start and undefeated record through the first month of the season (4-0 overall, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) and climbing up the rankings.

Texas A&M came into this weekend having already beaten a ranked team, the Arizona State Sun Devils, and boasting one of the most prolific offenses in the conference. With coordinator John Chavis having taken over the defense, it was third in the SEC in total defense and will likely only get better.

And even though Arkansas was up 21-13 in the fourth quarter, no one panicked when the game was on the line.

This time it was Josh Reynolds with a 63-yard bomb when the defender lost track of him, followed by a clutch two-point conversion catch to tie the score with 2:50 remaining.

Arkansas was still in position to win, or at least attempt a last-minute field goal, only defensive end Myles Garrett beat his man on the outside to record a crucial sack and fumble.

Taylor Bertolet’s 38-yard field goal attempt just missed to the right as time expired, but it turned out to be irrelevant. On the second play of overtime, Kyle Allen connected with Christian Kirk for a 20-yard touchdown to start the celebration. 

This time the Arkansas victory might be the start of Texas A&M’s rally, rather than the end.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.