After an early drop to Notre Dame, No. 24 Texas A&M has rebounded and built itself a churning train, rattling off three straight wins including a crucial conference win against Florida. However, a revitalized Arkansas team will meet the Aggies at AT&T Stadium on Saturday for the annual Southwest Classic.

Both SEC clubs come into the Southwest Classic battle-tested after their first four games, and, unlike their blue-starred hosts, both teams stand at a formidable record of 3-1. With established presences in A&M’s run game and Arkansas’s rushing defense, the 80th Southwest Classic will be a hard-fought one in the trenches.

For the Maroon and White, offensive coordinator Collin Klein has institutionalized the team’s offensive character, and it hasn’t been through the air like in previous years. This season, he has the Aggies up close and personal.

Klein’s run-centric scheme has placed heavy responsibilities in the backfield duo of junior running backs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels. Moss is on par for his best year yet, rushing for at least 70 yards in each game with three total touchdowns. He’s filled the shoes of original starting sophomore back Rueben Owens pleasantly while Daniels has served as an operational backup.

There’s also been an under-the-radar weapon that Klein’s been utilizing in redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed. The Nashville, Tennessee native has emerged as a worthy competitor of being QB1 in the absence of injured redshirt sophomore Conner Weigman. While coach Mike Elko was secretive about who would be the starting quarterback against Arkansas, a Reed start wouldn’t be surprising. Reed’s dynamic play has breathed life into A&M’s offense with four touchdowns and no interceptions. 

While his showing against Bowling Green fell short of his performance against Florida, he’s had a favorite target in the end zone in each game with sophomore tight end Theo Melin Öhrström. The mighty 6-foot-6, 265-pound Swede had made himself a red zone favorite for Reed, collecting a touchdown in both games. 

While Reed’s throwing ability has sufficed thus far, it’s his legs and speed that have been heavily showcased. So far, he’s averaged 87 rushing yards in his starts, including a SportsCenter-worthy ankle-breaker in The Swamp — and he has been able to dance outside the pocket when needed to.

Though Klein’s quarterback and running back weapons are the main stars of the show, it wouldn’t be possible without the improved play up front on the line. Elko said he wanted the offensive line to be the identity of the program and it’s paid off thus far. Junior left tackle Trey Zuhn III has bolstered a line that’s suffered injuries at the center position and is a key reason why the Aggies are ranked eighth in the nation in rushing yards per game.

However, the Maroon and White face their toughest battle in the trenches as the Razorbacks have also made their identity in their run defense. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams has orchestrated an Arkansas rush defense that stands 14th in the country, allowing only 82.8 rushing yards per game. In the team’s lone loss to Oklahoma State, Williams’ defense shut down star Cowboy junior RB Ollie Gordon II to only 49 yards on the ground, a far cry from his production a season ago. 

Sophomore safety TJ Metcalf has been the star of the defense, collecting 26 total tackles as well 17 solo tackles. Redshirt junior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. has been his running mate, putting up career-best numbers across the board with 25 total tackles, 12 of them being by his lonesome.

Though he had a career-high 12 tackles against the Cowboys, Metcalf officially broke out against Auburn, grabbing two interceptions and forcing a fumble en route to winning SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Sorey and Metcalf’s supporting cast has also filled in the gaps where needed. The defensive line of redshirt junior Cameron Ball, junior Nico Davillier and redshirt senior Eric Gregory will give A&M’s offensive line a run for its money, as the trio has played a big role in fortifying Arkansas as one of the nation’s top rushing defenses. 

With unlikely stars breaking out on both ends of the ball, this season’s Southwest Classic has the makings of being a top game in the rivalry.