Texas A&M ascended to near the top of the SEC and college football world in part because its defense continued to improve all season.

The Aggies currently sit at No. 1 in the SEC in total defense as they’re allowing 316 yards per game. They’re also No. 2 in both rushing and passing defense, and No. 3 in scoring defense. But with all that the defense has accomplished this season, is it as good as the “Wrecking Crew?”

Throughout the late 20th century, R.C. Slocum’s defenses were known for a fun, fast, stifling and downright nasty style of play that never left opposing offenses wanting more, TexAgs described. In Aggieland, however, they were simply known as “The Wrecking Crew.”

Before the Orange Bowl matchup with North Carolina on Jan. 2, defensive coordinator Mike Elko was asked about that defense, and the tradition.

“So I appreciate you asking me that because I want to make sure everybody understands our stance on this. We are honored when the term “wrecking crew” is thrown around in reference to this defense,” he said. “We understand how important that is. It’s a Texas A&M tradition, and how important that is to this fan base. I think when our guys say or I say we haven’t earned that or that’s not something we’re chasing, that was a successful era of Texas A&M defense. That was not something that could be accomplished in four quarters, one game, one season, one moment.”

Elko explained that it’s a long-term issue.

“If we can get to the point where over the course of years we are playing at a very, very high level and we are helping this team win championships, that’s what the wrecking crew means to me, not just like hey, you guys came out and played a good game, so the wrecking crew is back,” he said. “I don’t want to undersell what that group did for Texas A&M football. But I also respect the heck out of that tradition and am honored any time people use it to reference us. But that’s just not a name that we want to be throwing around lightly around here. We know how important it is to people.”