SDS continues our series looking in-depth at teams and their biggest subplots heading into 2015. Next up: The Texas A&M Aggies.

1. Overall improvement

Texas A&M opened the Kevin Sumlin era with a bang in 2012, going 11-2 with a No. 5 finish in final Associated Press poll and a Heisman Trophy winner in Johnny Manziel. But the team has regressed toward average the last two seasons, leaving everyone wondering if Texas A&M under Sumlin is going to be a great program, or simply a good one.

After going 8-5 last year and 3-5 in the SEC, there are reasons to think the Aggies could get back to double-digit victories in 2015. The quarterback situation seems stable with Kyle Allen returning after playing well down the stretch last season and he has some outstanding receivers to throw it to. There are also returning playmakers on defense, led by sack master Myles Garrett.

But perhaps the thing most in Sumlin’s favor is the schedule. Neutral-site games against Arizona State and Arkansas won’t be easy, nor will a road trip to LSU. But with LSU’s uncertainty at quarterback, games against Alabama and Auburn are the only ones likely to represent big upsets, and both of those teams travel to the renovated Kyle Field.

The Aggies defense that gave up 34 points or more six times last year will have to figure out a way to slow offenses down, but if A&M can knock off No. 15 Arizona State in the Sept. 5 opener, 10 wins in the regular season won’t be unthinkable.

2. Which newcomers will shine?

The Aggies brought in several players who have potential to produce right away, but the rub is most of them are at positions where Texas A&M already had returning playmakers.

For someone such as freshman wide receiver Christian Kirk, that shouldn’t be much of an issue. Texas A&M employs four-receiver sets most of the time, meaning there’s plenty of room for the touted first-year player to share the field with returning letterman Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil. Kirk also will get a shot at returning kicks, which would allow Noil to focus on punt returns.

Safety Justin Evans, a junior college transfer, will start despite the fact Armani Watts was coming back in his position. But the addition of Evans means Watts can slide to free safety and both should thrive.

There are more questions about how the Aggies will find playing time for a pair of five-star recruits. Defensive tackle Daylon Mack and quarterback Kyler Murray have both shown a ton of promise early on, but both also play positions where the incumbent starters haven’t done anything to lose their jobs. Mack will be in a rotation on the defensive line with seniors Julien Obioha and Alonzo Williams, but Sumlin and John Chavis might have to get creative to find ways to get Murray some experience and keep him happy.

3. Offensive line strength

The Aggies have produced a steady stream of offensive lineman who have been first-round picks in the NFL draft, but most of those were recruited by former Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman. Sumlin is now beginning to fill the line with his own guys and it will be interesting to see who, if anyone, follows in the footsteps of Cedric Ogbuehi, Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews.

Tackle Germain Ifedi has pro potential and joins center Mike Matthews and Joseph Cheek as returning starters on the right side. Junior college transfer Avery Gennessy could be a huge addition at left tackle and Jermaine Eluemunor, another former JUCO player who redshirted last year, is a potential starter at left guard.

There might not be a sure-fire All-American in the group, but Ifedi and Gennessy have potential to be two of the best tackles in the SEC. Koda Martin and Jeremiah Stuckey are capable of sneaking into the starting lineup.

4. Cornerback concerns

De’Vante Harris has had one starting cornerback spot locked up for months, but a major question since spring has been who will start opposite the 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior. Victor Davis has seemed like a strong possibility, but almost by default. Neither he nor Nick Harveny nor Taveres Garner wowed coaches enough in the spring or the opening of fall camp to lock down the job.

The concern was serious enough the Aggies moved running back Brandon Williams, who rushed for 379 yards and three touchdowns last season and could have been a contributor on offense, to cornerback. New defensive coordinator Chavis hopes a hole at cornerback doesn’t negate what figures to be a tremendous pass rush led by Garrett.