POST-GAME THOUGHTS: Aggies survive trip to Starkville, 34-24

Road trips to Mississippi State have been fraught with danger for most of Texas A&M's tenure in the SEC, with the Aggies going just 2-4 in Starkville since 2012. Saturday's game was eerily similar to some of those four losses, as A&M allowed some big plays, was careless with the football and committed some very untimely penalties.

This time, however, A&M was able to escape with a win. It wasn't pretty and there was a lot to criticize and a lot to praise. But in the SEC, you get a win on the road any way you can.

Conner Weigman

After bringing down Noah Thomas on the first drive for what likely would have been a touchdown, Weigman finished that first drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Thomas. Weigman appeared to pick up where he left off in the Mizzou game, but some careless decisions ensured it was a day full of ups and downs for the junior signal-caller.

Weigman had two interceptions in A&M territory that Mississippi State turned into 10 points, and two passes on a drive that should have been intercepted. He finished the day 15/25 with 217 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs.

The turnover plays certainly aren't ideal, but beyond that, Weigman played pretty well. He needs as many reps as possible in this new offense, and if you can survive an SEC road game where he turned the ball over, you'll take him. Here's to a rest next week. A

Adjustments in the second half

Mississippi State picked apart the A&M defense in the first half, especially through the air. After allowing a few explosive runs in the first quarter, the Aggie run defense found its form and held off the Bulldogs' attack for the rest of the day.

The secondary played poorly throughout the first half. A&M struggled to keep up with MSU's receivers, and freshman QB Michael Van Buren Jr. made some key throws under pressure.

But as we've seen so often under Mike Elko's defense, they made adjustments in the second half. Off the drive, where a Weigman interception gave Mississippi State the ball at the A&M 12-yard line, the Aggies aggravated the situation and shut down the Bulldogs in the second half.

Elko and DC Jay Bateman increased the pressure on Van Buren in the second half with multiple sacks and QB pressures and at least double-digit passes batted.

The secondary will have to play its A game next week against an explosive LSU passing game.

Third downs

Probably the difference in the game. A&M was 9/14 on 3rd downs while State was just 5/16. The Aggies played on both sides of the ball when needed.

In total

It wasn't as bad a performance as A&M fans probably thought as they watched the game live. However, after a bye week, the game was definitely too sloppy and nowhere near what this team is capable of. All in all, Collin Klein planned some good plays on offense, the defense dominated in the second half and you, Mike Elko and Co., will take a lot from this game to work on improving. Take the win and go #BTHOLSU next week.