Mike Elko: Arizona State Will Be Texas A&M’s First Real Test

Texas A&M football got nearly everything it wanted from Week 1. Now Mike Elko expects to find out much more about his team.

The No. 8 Aggies host Arizona State on Saturday at Kyle Field, and Elko made it clear Monday that the Sun Devils represent a significant jump in competition after Texas A&M’s 50-0 win over Missouri State.

MORE: Mike Elko Warns Texas A&M Must Clean Up Fast Before Arizona State

“They’re a really talented football team,” Elko said. “This is going to be a really, really big test and a really, really big challenge for us.”

Texas A&M’s defense set the tone in the opener, holding Missouri State to just 67 total yards, including 30 through the air. Elko said the unit executed at a high level throughout the game, but he stopped short of drawing sweeping conclusions.

“There are bigger challenges coming down the chute,” Elko said.

Arizona State qualifies.

Kenny Dillingham’s team opened the season with a 70-7 win over Morgan State, and Elko pointed specifically to the Sun Devils’ defensive line, secondary talent and wide receivers as matchup problems.

Offensively, Texas A&M showed both promise and areas that need immediate work.

Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, and Elko continues to push back against the idea that Reed is somehow underappreciated.

“I wish people would spend more time studying him and watching him and seeing how good he really is,” Elko said.

Elko noted that Reed is 12-1 as a regular-season starter over the last two seasons and praised his improvement working through progressions and getting the ball out on time.

The bigger concern is the offensive line.

Texas A&M struggled early before settling down, and Elko said Tyree Adams graded out well while the group as a whole improved as the game progressed.

“We certainly did not play to the standard we needed to early in the game,” Elko said. “It was good to see us adjust, settle in and start making better plays.”

Saturday will also carry added emotion at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M will hold a Red, White and Blue game to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. Elko, who was working in New York at the time of the attacks, said the day remains deeply personal.

MORE: Texas A&M Jumps in ESPN FPI After 50-0 Season-Opening Rout

On the field, though, the focus is straightforward. Week 1 showed Texas A&M’s ceiling.

Arizona State should show how close the Aggies are to reaching it.