Mike Elko's powerful statement to Aggies this week shows why Texas A&M has turned into College Football Playoff contender

The Texas A&M Aggies football program is just different these days. Head coach Mike Elko has completely changed the culture. The team is 8-0 heading into their bye with November set to kick off. With each passing week it becomes more clear that coach Elko has truly turned this program into a real College Football Playoff contender.

This was put on display once again this week following the dominant 49-25 win over LSU in the team's official YouTube series "The Pulse". For those who missed it, Coach Elko's post-game locker room speech to the team was shared there. His powerful statement to the Aggies squad spoke volumes about the massive culture shift that defines what this program has become.

Key facts and stats on Texas A&M Aggies after 8-0 start

• Texas A&M Aggies' defense ranks fourth among all FBS teams in havoc rate (plays like interceptions, forced fumbles, sacks, tackles for loss, etc.)
• A&M ranks second among all FBS teams in third down conversion rate allowed behind only the Ohio State Buckeyes
• Texas A&M Aggies rank number one in the entire nation for strength of record
• Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell has the second most sacks among all power conference defenders
• Marcel Reed ranks top ten among all power conference QBs in yards per play, total adjusted net yards per attempt, total yards per game, and total touchdowns per game

Mike Elko proving to be the perfect leader Texas A&M Aggies needed

Immediately following the LSU game on Saturday Mike Elko got his team pumped up, excited for where they are, what they've done, but still what needs to be done if Texas A&M is going to realize and finish all the goals they set out to accomplish this season:

"Five straight weeks. Five straight SEC games. Back to back games on the road. That's how you battle through sh**. That's how you push through sh**. That's how you stay consistent, and you come out and do the things you've got to do...First half, we almost gave this one away, right? We've got to be [our best] consistently, every single play because that's how quick this thing goes. We're exactly where we want to be. We wanted a championship. We wanted to compete for [the SEC Championship]. We wanted to be in the playoffs. We're 8-0. We still haven't accomplished jack sh** yet in that regard...I couldn't be more proud of how we handled that second half. I told you that stadium gets empty and quiet."

Coach Elko's words accomplish so much (and you can see the full speech in the post below). He credits his players for what they'e fought through, but acknowledges where they still fell short (in the first half against LSU). He inspires, reminding the team the job is not yet done. Then with the cherry on top, he shows the swagger and trash talking attitude that gives this season's Aggies their edge with his comments on making the LSU stadium awful quiet. Just beautiful work from Coach Elko.