Mike Elko has begged the Texas A&M fan base to let go of the past. To ditch the trauma of previous Aggie teams blowing big opportunities and to enjoy the ride that he and this Texas A&M team is experiencing in Aggieland. 

Then, on Saturday morning, news broke that Elko was extended for additional six years and would receive a raise to an average salary of $11.5 million a year, making him one of the Top 5 highest paid coaches in college football. A few hours later, panic was setting in as the Aggies trailed South Carolina, 30-3, at halftime. 

PTSD was working overtime in Kyle Field by the end of the first half. The 12th Man wasn’t sure which piece of generational trauma to focus on. After all, the extension for Jimbo Fisher didn’t work out well in Aggieland. And for decades, the Week 12 contest against South Carolina is exactly the type of game Texas A&M became known for losing. 

Texas A&M entered the game undefeated and one win away from locking up a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Aggies entered halftime lost. Marcel Reed threw multiple interceptions and had a fumble returned for a touchdown. The offensive line was dominated by the Gamecock front seven. The Wrecking Crew allowed 312 yards. And place kicker Randy Bond missed multiple kicks.

Texas A&M spent the first nine games of the season shedding its skin. The Aggies won a road game against a Top 10-ranked non-conference opponent for the first time since 1979. They won at LSU for the first time since 1994 and were 9-0 for the first time since 1992. The 6-0 start in SEC play was their first since joining the conference in 2012. 

Those accomplishments haven’t stopped the looming “Aggie Battered Syndrome” questions at press conferences and jokes on social media. The bad start against the Gamecocks triggered old feelings and it looked like Lucy would once again pull the ball away from the maroon-clad Charlie Browns of college football once again. 

But if there was anyone left who needed more convincing, the second half comeback against South Carolina should be the last therapy session required. The Aggies erased a 27-point halftime lead by the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter behind three Marcel Reed touchdown passes and a 99-yard drive that ended in an EJ Smith touchdown run. SEC teams were a combined 0-286 when trailing by 27+ points since 2004. They’re now 1-286. 

Texas A&M improved to 10-0 on the season and moved one step closer to its first SEC Championship game appearance. The Aggies outscored the Gamecocks, 28-0, in the second half and outgained them, 371-76. Reed threw for 298 yards in the second half alone. The offense didn’t punt and the defense didn’t allow a single point. Whatever Elko said, or screamed, at halftime, clearly worked. 

The Aggies proved that they’re no longer the stereotypical Aggie program and that Elko deserved every cent of that extension all in a few hours against South Carolina. For nearly 30 years, that game ends in an A&M loss. Instead of proving that Texas A&M is still the same Texas A&M with a loss, the win showed that this version of the Aggies is a true national championship contender. Good teams win when they’re on. Great teams win on their off days. 

This Texas A&M team is great, at least in the current landscape of college football. The elite teams no longer exist. Last year’s champion, Ohio State, loss to a bad Michigan team to close the regular season. Alabama started the season with a loss to Florida State. The days of undefeated champions could be in the past. The Aggies are one of three remaining undefeated teams and one of the five or six squads with a realistic chance of winning the national championship. 

The close shave against South Carolina isn’t a reason for concern. It is a reason for optimism. The Aggies will improve to 11-0 next week after the game against Samford. Beat Texas on Black Friday and they’ll be in the SEC Championship and guaranteed a Top 4 seed in the CFP and a bye into the quarterfinals whether they win or lose the SEC Championship game. This team will play in the CFP, the question now is if they can win it.