Tennessee beats Texas A&M, keeps CFP hopes alive

No. 8 Tennessee beat Texas A&M 22-7 in College Station, holding the Aggies to 179 yards, including 62 in a scoreless second half, to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive. Cooper Ranvier kicked five field goals, and after starting quarterback George MacIntyre left with a knee injury, freshman Faizon Brandon took over and threw a fourth-quarter touchdown as Tennessee also leaned on its running game and defense. Texas A&M fell to 4-6 overall and 1-6 in SEC play; quarterbacks Marcel Reed and Brady Hart combined for interceptions, and Reed threw for 71 yards before being replaced. Coach Mike Elko called the offense “completely non-functional,” took responsibility, apologized to fans and promised improvement. Texas A&M has two games remaining, against Oklahoma and Texas, while Tennessee closes the regular season against LSU and Vanderbilt.