Takeaways: Texas A&M's midday nightmare turns into potential championship moment

Missed field goal. Fumble for a scoop-and-score touchdown for South Carolina. Then, if that wasn't enough, back-to-back interceptions from Heisman hopeful Marcel Reed ultimately led to a 30-3 first-half deficit where the Gamecocks looked like it was going to do the impossible and upset — check that — blow out the third-best team in the nation. Aspirations of the SEC Championship and playoffs started to make its way out the window.

Then, Mike Elko did what he does best: second-half adjustments.

Just as he's done all season, Elko and Co. put on a masterclass on how to win football games from behind and in doing so, set a school record for biggest comeback win. Through all the mistakes — and cop controversy — here's the main takeaways.

Texas A&M vs. South Carolina takeaways: The Heisman game for Marcel Reed

Throughout the week, the Heisman campaign started to reach palpable levels in College Station. Chants was the word echoed for the Reed. However, the first half was anything but Heisman-worthy. He missed on usual throws and also was the main agitator in starting A&M's fire, throwing two out-of-character interceptions and then fumbling the ball that all led to the huge South Carolina lead. For Reed to even be considered for the Heisman, much less keep A&M's hopes alive, he'd need to have the moment.

And did the moment ever arrive.

He went back to what's been working for him, connecting on the easy reads and not forcing tight windows. As quickly as he started the fire, he put it out and rebuilt A&M's hopes. From converting a crucial 4th-and-12 with his legs to dropping dimes in his playmakers' hands, Reed has stated his case for the Heisman and with a linescore of 439 passing yards and three touchdowns, the case is legit.