Again, Texas A&M? Aggies Stifled in 22-7 Collapse to No. 8 Tennessee

Texas A&M saw another upset bid against a ranked opponent fade away, as the Aggies were unable to keep pace with No. 8 Tennessee in a 22-7 defeat inside Kyle Field.

While the final score indicates an easy outing for the visiting Volunteers, Texas A&M had them on the ropes for most of the afternoon but simply could not land the needed blows to knock out the eighth-ranked team in the nation.

The afternoon began with promise for the Aggies eyeing their first win against a ranked SEC foe in their last three tries, which previously saw narrow losses to No. 5 Alabama and No. 17 South Carolina.

Although Tennessee drew first blood with a field goal on the game's opening drive, Texas A&M would tighten down on defense throughout the rest of the first quarter.

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With the gap still manageable 3-0, the Aggies needed an answer early in the second quarter and they would get it from KJ Edwards on 25-yard rushing score that grabbed them the lead at 7-3.

Edwards' long sprint toward pay dirt capped off a six-play, 61-yard drive that was one of the best displays of offense from the Aggies in recent weeks.

Tennessee would respond right away with another field goal on the ensuing series, but the Aggies held firm at 7-6.

Texas A&M attempted to tack on a field goal for good measure in the closing moments of the first half, however, it missed the uprights as time expired.

The stalemate waged on in the third quarter, as neither team was willing to budge in the one-point affair.

Unable to punch in a touchdown yet again, Tennessee drilled another field goal late in the quarter to reclaim the lead at 9-7 heading into the decisive fourth quarter.

Things would go from bad to worse in these final 15 minutes for the Aggies.

They opened the frame with a three-and-out that was turned into a touchdown by the Volunteers nearly just as fast as the ball was given back to find themselves down by two possessions.

Facing this newfound hurdle, Texas A&M chose to go for a short fourth down, but Marcel Reed could not convert and Tennessee took over within Aggies terrority.

Another field goal came out of the change of possession and the lead seemed unsurmountable for the Aggies at 19-7.

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Reed, and later Brady Hart, would eliminate all doubt with back-to-back interceptions that both turned into another field goal and ended the game, as Tennessee flipped a one-point lead into a 22-7 domination in the span of a single quarter.

As disappointing as the outcome may be, it has become the norm for Mike Elko and company this season.

Poor offensive output and a defense that can only do so much to keep the Aggies in games late has sent the team to a 4-6 overall record and 1-6 mark within the SEC just one year removed from a trip to the College Football Playoff.

With a return trip certainly out of the question, the Aggies are in serious danger of missing a bowl game entirely. Texas A&M faces rivals Oklahoma and No. 6 Texas to close the year, needing a sweep of the Sooners and Longhorns to even reach bowl eligibility.

It is far from the season Aggieland envisioned heading into the year, but Texas A&M will attempt to finish strong after yet another bitter loss to swallow at the hands of the No. 8 Volunteers.