Marty Smith: A&M faces 'season-defining' test in South Bend

Key notes from Marty Smith interview

• A&M looks explosive in their running backs and wide receivers. I just think Marcel Reed is so dynamic. He looks so much more comfortable to me.
   
• I think specifically with Clemson and LSU, you must remember the emotion of 19 to 20-year-old men. That’s a very real thing. Clemson is coming off a really disappointing loss, and LSU is coming off a euphoric victory. They were both supposed to boat race their opponents this weekend, and it didn’t happen. Hangover is a part of that both ways. Both coaches said that after both of their games.
   
• After the weather delay, Clemson got back on track. Dabo Swinney said it is all about how you respond. Specifically about his quarterback, Cade Klubnik, who is highly talented and so seasoned, he is a great football player and leader. And you have this pick six and are losing to Troy at home. But how do you respond? Klubnik responded really well. For LSU, they looked flat. Brian Kelly claims they got outcoached. In some ways, that is protecting your players, and they won the game. Ultimately, that is what you are doing it for. I understand there are areas to be better, and you were supposed to blow these guys out.
   
• There is another layer, though, for LSU, unlike Clemson, which has had a lot of continuity and the same players. Kelly has a lot of new players, and with that comes growing chemistry and consistency within that. That is why winning matters no matter what the outcome is. The outcome is what matters.
   
• Florida Gator fans who are ready to run Billy Napier out of town. They had a hell of a turnaround last year. DJ Lagway came in for an injured Graham Mertz. They were pretty darn good at the end of last year. They should not lose to South Florida on paper, but with what Alex Golesh has built there in Tampa Bay, they ran Boise State out of town. They destroyed the No. 25 team in the country, and Florida was a top 25 team as well.
   
• According to ESPN research, South Florida is the fourth team in the AP Poll era since 1936 to win their first two games against ranked opponents while being unranked, joining teams 1976 UNC Tar Heels, 2008 East Carolina and 2012 Oregon State. That is a really good football team. For Napier, a lot of people want to point to their missteps as coaching missteps. They look at it being a coaching variable when a player spits on another player. Discipline is very important, and you must demand that as a coach. Napier is a Nick Saban disciple. But he is not inside the helmet of that player. The player let emotions run hot, and it may be about fundamentals from the coach. Context is important, but I don’t know. I understand the frustrations, but Napier is taking accountability.
   
• I thought the Mississippi State did was so impressive. They took it personally what Kenny Dillingham said about Starkville. They wanted to defend their town, tradition and defend their pride. It was a hell of a win. I didn’t project them to win, but it is a hell of a place. You still hear those cowbells days after being there. I am thrilled for Jeff Lebby. They had a great game plan, and I felt that was one of the few statement games of the weekend. USF won on the road in the Swamp. Mississippi State was defending its honor, and they let them know about it afterwards. It was an incredible performance against a 2024 college football playoff team in Arizona State. I know they don’t have Cam Skattebo anymore, but the Bulldogs are better than we expected.
   
• Winning against Notre Dame would be a season-defining victory. They are good enough to do it. Notre Dame is really good, and CJ Carr is really good. He impressed me despite the loss. They are hard to beat at home. But I really like what I am seeing from A&M. Especially if Reed is healthy. I hope he is OK. I love watching that kid play.
   
• If A&M can go into South Bend and get the victory, it can propel them to incredible heights. Even if they lose a close game, it can still give them the self-confidence going into the conference slate. If they get embarrassed, though, it could be a tremendous setback. I think they will go in there and compete. I like what Mike Elko has instilled in his team. Those offensive components, the guys on the perimeter, have enveloped themselves and built great chemistry really quickly. They must have worked a lot during the offseason to build that. Now, you are going to South Bend. It can be a season-defining moment.
   
• The defensive line for A&M needs to be disruptive. The Notre Dame running game is going to be really good. If they can limit Jeremiyah Love and make Carr beat you vertically, I think that is a winning formula. Offensively, A&M has a real chance because they are so dynamic in multiple ways. I like how they run the football. Run it and stop the run. It is simple, but hard to do.