COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M apparently has some magic of its own -- and something else.

"We showed a lot of resilience," All-American defensive end Myles Garrett said.

The No. 8 Aggies perhaps emerged as the biggest threat to upset the balance of power in the Southeastern Conference after hanging on to beat No. 9 Tennessee 45-38 in a wild showdown that went two overtimes Saturday afternoon at Kyle Field.

The Aggies improved to 6-0 for the first time in 22 years and 4-0 in the SEC for the first time ever, but not before the Volunteers nearly pulled off another miracle. Tennessee's luck finally ran out on when Armani Watts intercepted Joshua Dobbs in the second overtime.

Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight scored from 1 yard on the Aggies' second OT possession. With Tennessee needing a touchdown, Dobbs' throw on first down was picked off by a diving Watts to set off a massive celebration before the second-largest home crowd in Texas A&M history.

Up next for Texas A&M is an Oct. 22 visit to No. 1 Alabama with first place in the SEC West likely on the line.

"We have a huge test in two weeks," Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. "We go to Tuscaloosa and play another meaningful game."

Before the Aggies get their shot at the defending national champions, the Crimson Tide head to Knoxville next Saturday. Though the Volunteers (5-1, 2-1) took the loss hard, they can shake up the SEC race plenty with Alabama coming to their house.

"They're very, very disappointed, but we'll get back to work," Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. "We can't (sulk) because Alabama is next. That's life in the SEC."

After starting the previous two seasons 5-0 only to finish 8-5, Texas A&M won its sixth game by taking advantage of seven Tennessee turnovers.

"We finally got over the hump," said Garrett, back in the lineup after missing last week's game at South Carolina with an injury. "The little 5-0 hill that we've been facing every year. We're confident going into the next game. Now we get some rest. We have our eyes on Alabama."

The takeaways helped negate the 684 yards of offense that the Vols rolled up.

"Proud of the resolve, but the turnovers didn't give us an opportunity," Butch Jones said.

Knight wasn't particularly sharp in accounting for five touchdowns and 349 yards as Texas A&M beat Tennessee for the first time in three tries. The senior transfer nearly put the game away with a 62-yard keeper with 3:22 left for a 35-21 lead.

"We knew if we left it all out in the field, we'd have two weeks to rest," Knight said.

Freshman running back Trayveon Williams ran for 217 yards and a touchdown for the Aggies, but a late fumble cost the Aggies dearly. Williams was on his way for a 73-yard touchdown before Tennessee linebacker Malik Foreman punched the ball out at the 2.

The ball went through the end zone for a touchback. Tennessee went 80 yards in 68 seconds, tying the score on Alvin Kamara's 18-yard run with 41 seconds left.

Dobbs completed 28 of 47 passes for 398 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. He was sacked four times.

"The turnovers," Dobbs said, "they obviously killed us."

The Vols were without four starters, including leading rusher Jalen Hurd. Backup running backs Kamara and John Kelly combined for 216 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

Kamara added eight catches for 161 yards to go with his 127 yards rushing on 18 attempts. The junior said the Vols won't let the loss linger.

"We're refocused now," Kamara said. "We know who we have to play next week."

The Aggies nearly won it at the end of regulation after driving down the field with relative ease, but Daniel LaCamera missed a 38-yard field goal attempt wide left.

Going into overtime, the Vols had to feel the magic of last week's Hail Mary win over Florida.

"You always think you're going to pull it out," Tennessee linebacker Colten Jumper said. "When you don't, it stings."

Tennessee kicked a field goal on their first OT drive, which Texas A&M matched.

Texas A&m beat UCLA in overtime at home to open the season on a Knight touchdown and defensive stop. The Aggies also coughed up a lead late against the Bruins.

"This team is about not panicking," Sumlin said.

The Aggies went into halftime up 21-7, with all the scoring in the first quarter. Texas A&M forced three turnovers in the opening quarter, two leading to touchdowns and another potentially saving one.

Knight had a hand in all three scores. He threw touchdown passes to Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds and ran one in for a 14-point lead.

Two of the scoring drives covered no more than 26 yards. Defensive end Myles Garrett knocked the ball out of Dobbs' hands to set up the first Aggies touchdown. Tennessee also fumbled a kickoff.

The Volunteers had their chances. Strong safety Todd Kelly intercepted Knight's first pass of the game near midfield, but Tennessee went three-and-out.

A short pass from Dobbs to Kamara went for 55 yards and inside the Texas A&M 10. As he was finally going down, Watts ripped the ball out of Kamara's arms.

Instead of having first-and-goal, the Vols' defense had to go back on the field.

Tennessee did tie it 7-7 on a six-play drive covering 71 yards. Dobbs scored on the receiving end of a pass from receiver Jauan Jennings after a reverse.

Dobbs fumbled on Tennessee's first drive coming out of halftime. Texas A&M turned the miscue into a Williams touchdown and a 21-point advantage.

"Probably the craziest game I've ever played in," Kirk said after catching seven passes for 80 yards. "All respect to Tennessee. They were banged up and fought hard to the end."

NOTES: Texas A&M won a Top 10 home matchup for the first time since 1975. The Aggies had lost four in a row, including three since joining the SEC. ... Tennessee senior DT Danny O'Brien was taken off the field early in the fourth quarter strapped to a stretcher. His neck was immobilized and facemask removed. O'Brien did fly home with the team. ... The Vols lead the series 2-1, with the two previous meetings coming in bowl games. ... Tennessee FS Nigel Warrior was disqualified in the first half for targeting. ... The announced attendance of 106,248 was Kyle Field's second-largest crowd.