TAMU is not one of the elite today. They are positioned to consistently be factor so long as Manziel is at the helm. Using the platform of competitiveness Manziel provides them, they should be able to enhance their recruiting too. The biggest misnomer coming into the game last week was that TAMU didn't have the horses to hang with Alabama. I disagreed because all of their skill positions were high quality and their OL was great on the bookends (and solid enough on the interior). Defensively, they made up for deficiencies with aggression which is always a tough cookie when that team's offense can put you into a hole quick. They might not be top to bottom talented as Alabama, but their top 40 wasn't so far off Alabama's level they couldn't compete.
TAMU has a bit more growth to get to elite status. This season may be a flash in the pan - I doubt it but who knows - because they have a unique talent at QB paired with NFL quality OTs that are likely gone after this season. Sumlin might have just had the perfect mix this year and may never replicate it as successfully again. Again, I doubt it but look at Franchoine he looked great when coaching Tomlinson at TCU and inheriting an admittedly very talented Alabama squad. He never recaptured that glory again in his career. I've thought Sumlin was the next great up-and-comer and TAMU has the ability to be elite in the SEC, but one year isn't a trend. Auburn won a title in 2010 and it certainly didn't trend for consistent contention in the SEC.