Texas A&M will have a well-deserved bye weekend this Saturday after five straight SEC games. The Aggies are undefeated, with all of their goals still in front of them, but it's looking like a tight race for Atlanta coming down the pike.
With that in mind, which games are most consequential this weekend for Texas A&M's chances to make the SEC Championship— and why? Here's what Aggie fans should be paying close attention to this weekend.
Guide to Texas A&M's bye weekend: Texas vs Vanderbilt
This is a battle of two teams who both only have one conference loss thus far, though Texas obviously has two losses overall. While it would be nice for Texas A&M to win out and go 12-0, Aggie fans need to be thinking about what would behoove their team the most if they sustain another conference loss.
In that vein, there's an argument to be made for both sides here. Texas has a road trip to Georgia upcoming that feels like a pretty sure loss, as well as a home date with Arkansas that won't be easy in the slightest given the Hogs' dynamic offense. They also play Texas A&M, of course, so the Aggies have a major say in how the Longhorns will finish.
Vanderbilt, on the other hand, will play Kentucky, Auburn, and Tennessee after this game. That road trip to the Volunteers looks to be the only other game where the 'Dores may suffer a loss (though Auburn could mess around and figure things out) other than this game.
The rivalry factor here obviously plays in, too. Most Texas fans wouldn't cheer for Texas A&M unless there were a clear and obvious benefit for themselves, and the reverse is also true. Is there such a clear and obvious benefit here?
Not really. What would be much better for Texas A&M fans in their contention for the SEC title is if Texas loses this weekend to the Commodores and then beats the Bulldogs on the road— unless, of course, Georgia loses this weekend as well. UGA is the more present threat to steal a spot in Atlanta if A&M falters than Vandy is, so Aggie fans should pull for the Commodores in this one.