LSU and Texas A&M are atop the SEC Standings going into Week 9, as they’re both undefeated in conference play.

Not only will the loser suffer its first loss in conference play, but it would also suffer its second loss of the season.

With 13 one-loss teams and nine undefeated teams in the AP Top 25, the race for the College Football Playoff is tight.

In a race that’s so competitive, an additional loss could be costly for LSU to make the playoff.

Texas A&M will provide a considerable challenge for the Tigers. The Aggies are playing their best football of the season, as they’ve won six straight games since losing their season opener to Notre Dame.

They’ve developed a rhythm; one they’ll continue to ride with when LSU comes to College Station.

Here’s what Texas A&M brings to the table ahead of the matchup.

Running back tandem

Le’Veon Moss ranks second in the SEC in rushing yards with 674. In the Aggies’ last two games, he’s reached the end zone multiple times. On the season, he’s scored eight times.

Against Missouri on Oct. 5, where Texas A&M arguably played its most complete game of the season, Moss ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. Two weeks later, Moss ran for just 65 yards on 17 carries, but found the end zone twice.

Moss’ carries are effective, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. And while he doesn’t run the ball an overwhelming amount per game, he makes defenders miss. This season alone, he has three carries of 75 yards.

But the Aggies don’t primarily look to Moss in the red zone. Instead they look to Amari Daniels, who on the season has run for 292 yards and five touchdowns on 69 carries. Of his 69 carries, 44 of them and all five of his scores have come in opposing territory.

Against Missouri, Moss and Daniels combined for five touchdowns. While they are both effective runners for Texas A&M, they have different run styles. 

Moss is more of a downfield and physical back and has an ability to work in the pass game. Daniels, on the other hand, is more of a quick, twitchy back who pushes through defenders. 

Moss is more of the threat with his dual-threat ability in the backfield, but Daniels alongside him makes the Aggies’ run-game much more effective.

Conner Weigman

Quarterback Conner Weigman missed three games this season, but he returned to the field for the Aggies’ 41-10 win over Missouri. Since he’s been back, the Aggies have been playing their best football of the season.

His first game back was an efficient performance. While he was held out of the end zone, he completed 18 of 22 of his passes for 276 yards. Against Mississippi State two weeks later, he completed 15 of his 25 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown, along with two interceptions.

With this being said, the Aggies don’t often look to its pass game in red zone situations. Of his 718 passing yards this season, 214 of them came in opposing territory.

Where Weigman stands out, at least recently, is with his accuracy. He has a very quick release, which would limit LSU’s time to get to the backfield. 

Weigman’s most accurate when throwing to the outside of the field. When he looks to the inside of the field, it’s often to check down to his backs. 

But Weigman has the ability to beat teams with his deep ball. While he doesn’t look to it often, his accuracy allows him to place the ball into tight coverages downfield for larger gains.

Deep Defensive Line

Defensive lineman Nic Scourton is tied for eighth in the SEC with 4.5 sacks, and he’s projected to be a Top-10 draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

But the Aggies’ defensive line doesn’t end with him. 

Texas A&M has eight defensive linemen with at least 0.5 sacks this season. In particular, Cashius Howell and Shemar Turner have been most effective behind Scourton, each with two sacks on the season.

Against Missouri, a major part of the Aggies’ success came from the defense, who accumulated six sacks in the win. 

From the defensive line, Scourton led the team with 1.5 sacks, and D.J. Hicks, Rodas Johnson and Albert Regis each had a sack as well.

Against Mississippi State two weeks later, the Aggies’ defense came up with three sacks as a team, 2.5 of which came from the defensive line.

Not only is Texas A&M’s defensive line efficient in invading the pocket, but its depth is also an advantage.

Having the ability to rotate players in and out late in games could be a hidden factor come Saturday, and with how productive the overall defensive line has been in providing pressure, LSU’s offensive line will once again be tested.