It might have been his usual Monday press availability, but with a do-or-die playoff game approaching — the first in program history — the atmosphere in the room was anything but typical.

“We don’t want to be the ones that just get invited and then have to go home,” Elko said. “The focus is taking this to the next level.”

The No. 7 Aggies not only expected to reach this point, Elko said, but also hope it is just the start for a school that last won a championship in 1939.

In just two seasons, Elko has pushed A&M to new heights. The Aggies’ CFP debut comes after their first 11-win season since 2012.

Some may see the turnaround as a victory regardless of Saturday’s outcome, but not the New Jersey native running the Aggies. A&M came into the season ranked 19th and 22nd in the preseason polls.

“Expectations get created by the same national narrative and rhetoric that we don’t pay attention to,” Elko said. “We’re not trying to be defined by any outside opinions of what we are or what we’re capable of… We believe in our culture and what we’ve built.”

SEC media pegged the Aggies, who had a shot at the conference title game until the final game of the season, to finish sixth.

Next up is No. 10 Miami, which is making its first appearance in the CFP as well. However, the Hurricanes are led by coach Mario Cristobal (Alabama, 2015) and quarterback Carson Beck (Georgia, 2022) who have both won a national title.

Miami boasts a quality offense (34.1 points per game, 20th in the country) and one of the best run defenses (86.8 per game, seventh in the country).

“Everything is a valuable experience. Every opportunity we get to play on big stages and in big games, we haven’t been able to do this often,” Elko said. “That’s where this program needs to be and needs to be every year. With each opportunity we get, it’s a great opportunity to build.”

It’s been over two weeks since the Aggies lost to their in-state rival Texas in the regular season finale — marking the second straight season since the rivalry resumed — and they’ve had plenty of time to stew over it.

With the page turned and a bigger, more consequential game ahead, they not only hope to prove they belong this year but also aim to demonstrate that they’re here to stay. 

“It means that we’re ascending in the direction we want to go,” Elko said. “But we’ve talked about this a lot: We didn’t just want to make the playoffs. That’s obviously the first step.”

Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.