It might have been his\u00a0usual Monday press availability, but with a do-or-die playoff game approaching \u2014 the first in program history \u2014 the atmosphere in the room was anything but typical.<\/p>\n
“We don’t want to be the ones that just get invited and then have to go home,”\u00a0Elko said. “The focus is taking this to the next level.”<\/p>\n
The No. 7\u00a0Aggies not only expected to reach this point,\u00a0Elko said, but also hope it is just the start for a school that last won a championship in 1939.<\/p>\n
In just two seasons, Elko has pushed A&M to new heights.\u00a0The\u00a0Aggies’ CFP debut comes after\u00a0their first 11-win season since 2012.<\/p>\n
Some may see the\u00a0turnaround as a victory regardless of Saturday’s outcome, but not the New Jersey native running the\u00a0Aggies. A&M came into the season ranked 19th\u00a0and 22nd\u00a0in the preseason polls.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
SEC media pegged the\u00a0Aggies, who had a shot at the conference title game until the final game of the season, to finish sixth.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0Cristobal (Alabama, 2015) and quarterback Carson Beck (Georgia, 2022) who have both won a national title.<\/p>\n
Miami boasts a quality offense (34.1 points per game, 20th\u00a0in the country) and one of the best run defenses (86.8 per game, seventh in the country).<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n