Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko said during Wednesday's Aggie Football Hour

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No. 4 Texas A&M (6-0, 3-0 SEC) will now take on Arkansas (2-3, 0-2 SEC) in Fayetteville for the first time since 2013 after defeating Florida 34-17 last Saturday night. On Wednesday, the latest injury report revealed that, aside from star running back Le'Veon Moss, who will be sidelined for the next three to four weeks after sustaining an ankle injury against the Gators, transfer wide receiver KC Concepcion will be available amid his lingering hamstring issue.

This week, the focus has completely shifted to what is considered a "trap game" due to the Razorbacks' impressive offense. At the same time, the early weather report indicates potentially rainy conditions that could result in turnovers for both teams, reportedly leading head coach Mike Elko and his staff to prepare for the conditions in practice.

Arkansas interim head coach Bobby Petrino, who served as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator and quarterback coach during the 2023 season, is auditioning for a permanent position, a job he held for four successful seasons. However, his focus on beating the Aggies and Arkansas hasn't achieved this goal since the 2021 season.

After defeating Florida, Texas A&M's defense has continued to play at an elite level, while the offense will need to adjust to life without Le'Veon Moss. However, knowing that starting quarterback Marcel Reed will continue to target transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, coupled with a much deeper running back room, the Aggies should be in good shape.

On Wednesday night, Mike Elko previewed the Razorbacks during his weekly appearance on the Aggie Football Hour. Here's everything he had to say.

Mike Elko on his defense "stabilizing" in the second half against Florida​

"One of the things that was really cool about Saturday was we got hit in the mouth on defense early, and we were able to stabilize it."

"Those are all really, really positive signs of playing the game the right way and playing the game together to be successful."

Elko on pressing a "championship DNA" into the program​

"We try to spend a lot of time in our program talking about what greatness looks like, what championship DNA looks like and what championship culture looks like. I'm a big believer in if you want to become something, then you study it."

Elko on WR Mario Craver's 67-yard reception during the Aggies' first offensive play vs. Florida​

"We felt like we had a good first play. We felt like we were dialed in for the first play, and everyone was kind of aware of it. The offensive guys were excited about it."

Elko on Texas A&M roster diversity​

"It's not just the flashy, catchy guys. You need that, and I'm certainly glad that we've got them, but there are a lot of guys behind the scenes working to make sure that happens."

Elko on using the T formation against Florida​

"Not because of the throwback uniforms. We have a couple of those things up our sleeves this year. We really went out and exhausted and studied what to do in those short-yardage situations this year."

Texas A&M's culture is really something special​

"Every injured guy in our program is at everything. … It keeps them in and around the culture of the guys. It helps them on the days when things aren't going great."

"Those things are critical. We actually have a Friday support group when all of the injured guys go in together and sit in as a group with some of our mental health professionals… We try to support those guys as best we can."

Elko discusses Texas A&M's game-sealing, 8-minute drive against the Gators​

"We stop them on fourth-and-6. From that point on, we ran 20 of the next 21 plays in the fourth quarter."

"That's rising to the fourth-quarter challenge and rising to the things in the fourth quarter when it's winning time and you have to go make plays."

This is the strategy that will lead to more wins down the road​

"The term we always use is 'take the air out of the game.' When you have the lead in the fourth quarter, you can take the air out of the game."

"When you have the lead and clock running… The other team can feel the pressure."

Elko on Texas A&M's ascending defensive line​

"What you're seeing now is a different wave of D-tackles that are a little bit twitchier and have the ability to rush the passer."

"For us, the people don't talk about us with the level of appreciation we deserve. Since 2018, there is nobody in this league that have had more NFL defensive linemen drafted than Texas A&M. We lead the SEC."

Elko on the importance of a strong defensive line to keep linebackers clean​

The linebackers' best friend is the D-linemen in front of them… Taurean York would not be as impactful if there was a guard who weighs 300 pounds climbing right into his chest on every single play."

Elko on facing Bobby Petrino's offense​

"It's really multiple. It's really well-thought-out. He comes at you with a lot of personnel groupings."

"He's been calling plays for a really long time, and to be able to do that, you've got to have a really good comfort in what you want to do and how you do it."

Elko on preparing for Arkansas's defense​

"This is a first for me. This is the first time I've seen a defense completely shift gears midseason. … We had to do this one like the opener a little bit and try to identify things from the coordinator's past."

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M HC Mike Elko said during the Aggie Football Hour

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