In college football, there’s nothing better than a rivalry game with high stakes, and that’s what’s happening on Saturday. 
With Georgia defeating Texas last week, there are now only two undefeated teams in the SEC: the LSU Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies. They will face each other in a primetime matchup on ABC at 6:30 p.m. in College Station. 
How did they get here?
If you asked the majority of people who would be at the top of the SEC through seven games, you’d most likely hear teams like Texas, Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama and even Tennessee. However, the Tigers and Aggies have surprised people across the country. 
Both teams started their seasons with a loss to an out-of-conference opponent in week one. LSU lost to USC 27-20, while Texas A&M lost to Notre Dame 23-13. Despite that obstacle early in the season, neither team has lost since, and both sit at 6-1.
So far in conference play, the Tigers beat South Carolina, then No. 9 Ole Miss and most recently Arkansas. The Aggies have beaten Florida, Arkansas, then-No. 9 Missouri and Mississippi State. 
The Tigers lost a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and there were many concerns about whether their offense would be able to produce like last year. There is no recreation of the historic season that Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. had, but they are still productive with a variety of weapons.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has stepped up into the starting quarterback role by throwing for 2,222 yards and 18 touchdowns.
His leading target, Kyren Lacy, is leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns with 36 receptions, 512 yards and six touchdowns. Right behind him is Aaron Anderson, who’s on the verge of having a breakout season with 33 receptions for 488 yards and three touchdowns. 
The Tigers have been lacking in the running game, but freshman running back Caden Durham has provided the spark that they needed. Durham has run for 382 yards for six touchdowns on 36 carries. 
None of this would be possible without an offensive line that has only given up two sacks on the season. Led by Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., it has shown that it’s one of the best offensive lines in the country. 
The most concerning part for them was the defense, and at the beginning of the season, it seemed like it was going to be another long year for them, especially with the injury of star defensive player Harold Perkins. 
However, the unit has consistently gotten better with the help of a new defensive staff. 
Players such as Whit Weeks, who leads the team in tackles with 68, Bradyn Swinson, who leads the team in sacks with seven, and Zy Alexander, who leads the team in interceptions and has solidified himself as the starting cornerback, have helped lead the way.
Texas A&M set high expectations for the past two years by securing the best recruiting classes in 2022. After going 7-6 last season, Texas A&M decided to move on from head coach Jimbo Fisher and replace him with former Duke head coach Mike Elko. 
Losing 26 players to the transfer portal was going to be a tall order to answer, but Elko has done just that. 
Running back Le’Veon Moss has been the focal point for the Aggies’ offense, running for 674 yards on 106 carries and eight touchdowns. The Aggies have also shaped their identity by having a top-30 defense in the country. Linebacker Tauren York has been their anchor on defense, leading the team in tackles with 40, and defensive back Will Lee III has provided blanket coverage with eight pass deflections on the season. 
The Aggies are now in the driver’s seat for the SEC. 
What’s next?
After this Saturday, there will only be four games left for both teams. The Tigers still have to take on No. 15 Alabama, Florida, No. 25 Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. 
As for Texas A&M, they still have South Carolina, New Mexico State, Auburn and No. 5 Texas.
Although the season is nowhere near being over, whoever wins this game will have full control of their destiny to not only the SEC championship but also the College Football Playoffs.