At some point, Texas A&M fans have to stop making excuses for Marcel Reed and start demanding something resembling competent quarterback play.

That point arrived Saturday.

The Aggies’ humiliating 27-6 loss to No. 14 Missouri wasn’t just another defeat. It was an offensive embarrassment that should have Mike Elko seriously reconsidering who’s playing quarterback and who’s calling the plays.

Because whatever Reed and offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins are doing, it sure as hell isn’t working.

Texas A&M finished with a pathetic 146 yards of total offense. Reed completed 16 of 32 passes for 126 yards, and the Aggies couldn’t find the end zone once.

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Not once.

Through three quarters, Texas A&M had managed two first downs. The Aggies produced three yards in the third quarter.

 

Three freaking yards.

That’s not SEC football. That’s an offense that looks completely unprepared to compete at this level.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: Reed isn’t getting better. He’s getting exposed.

Against LSU, Reed completed 10 of 26 passes for 106 yards in another miserable 35-6 defeat. Saturday offered more evidence that opposing defenses have figured out how to neutralize the Aggies’ passing attack.

The inconsistency, inability to sustain drives and lack of downfield production have become painfully predictable.

So why does Reed keep getting the keys to the offense?

Texas A&M has Brady Hart sitting on the bench. The 6-foot-4 sophomore hasn’t proven he can win SEC games, but he’s also barely had an opportunity.

Hart entered Saturday with four completions on nine attempts for 36 yards, one touchdown and one interception this season.

Freshman Helaman Casuga is another option with considerable potential, while Eli Morcos and Paxton Land provide additional quarterback depth.

Nobody’s suggesting Hart or Casuga is guaranteed to rescue the season.

But how much worse can this really get?

Elko should start Hart against The Citadel next Saturday. Give the kid meaningful snaps, open the playbook and find out whether there’s a better option.

And while we’re handing out accountability, let’s stop pretending Wiggins is an innocent bystander.

He was promoted to offensive coordinator to keep Texas A&M’s offense moving forward after the departure of Collin Klein.

Instead, the Aggies have become painfully predictable, inconsistent and downright boring.

Wiggins isn’t some inexperienced graduate assistant learning the profession. He spent five seasons working under Nick Saban at Alabama.

He should know better.

A quarterback struggling this badly needs coaching, adjustments and an offensive system that gives him opportunities to succeed.

Wiggins hasn’t delivered enough of any of those things.

Ultimately, though, this falls on Elko.

He’s the head coach. He hired Wiggins. He continues to start Reed.

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And he’s watching a once-promising season circle the drain.

Texas A&M is now 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the SEC. The Aggies have scored six points in each of their last two conference road games.

That’s 12 points in eight quarters against LSU and Missouri.

At a program with Texas A&M’s resources, facilities and expectations, that’s indefensible.

Reed needs to sit. Wiggins needs to be held accountable. And Elko needs to quit treating this offensive disaster like it’s going to magically fix itself.

Because right now, Texas A&M doesn’t have a championship-caliber offense.

It barely has an offense at all.