Aggies fans have to be asking themselves: “How did we get here?” A season that looked so promising, even more so than in previous years, yet ended so poorly.

Or maybe they’re not at all wondering how the Aggies ended up in the same place, again. It’s become a rite of passage for Aggies fans to endure the next 8-4 season, a 6-0 start not withstanding.

There were, nevertheless, some things Texas A&M did right this season. There were also some things it did wrong. Here’s a look at each category.

5 things that went RIGHT

Trevor Knight: Bringing in Knight to play quarterback when not one, but two five-star recruits went elsewhere was a brilliant move and probably saved the Aggies from what otherwise could have been a disastrous season. Knight was 7-3 in games he started. And one of those losses was a game in which he suffered an injury and threw just 14 passes and wasn’t a factor.

Broke through the 5-0 barrier: For the past couple of years, the problem with Texas A&M appeared to be its inability to get past 5-0 starts. Well, the Aggies broke through that barrier, winning a sixth consecutive game to start the season. A 45-38 victory over SEC East favorite Tennessee appeared to point the Aggies in the right direction. Of course, that proved to be wrong with a loss to Alabama and a 2-4 finish.

Schedule cupcakes to break up SEC schedule: Thank goodness the Aggies were able to pick up victories over cupcakes New Mexico State and UTSA. They were the lone “Ws” over the final six weeks of the season. As things began to go downhill, they were the few bright spots at the end of the 2016 schedule.

RB Trayveon Williams: The freshman emerged as a viable weapon in the Aggies’ reenergized offense. Breaking the 1,000-yard mark (1,024) with 68 yards in the regular season finale against LSU. He rushed for 100-plus yards in three games, including a season- and career-best 217 yards against Tennessee. Williams also turned in two other games in which he rushed for 94 and 98 yards respectively.

OC Noel Mazzone: The up-tempo spread offense, which relied heavily on the run game, had a measurable and positive influence. Texas A&M scored 53 touchdowns this season, 11 more than last year. And while it was nowhere near the 78 touchdowns scored in 2012 during the Johnny Manziel era, it was still an improvement. The Aggies ran for 2,610 yards, most in many years. Since 2005, only the 2012 team piled up more (3,147).

3 that went WRONG

Pass defense disappeared: Granted there were injuries, in particular to sack leader Myles Garrett. But the Aggies’ pass defense went downhill in 2016. Heading into the season, the run defense was considered suspect. And while that improved — in fact it gave up the fewest yards (2,275 yards) since the 2012 season (1,814) — the pass defense faltered. Five opponents threw for 300-plus yards this season, most this century.

With a bowl game still to play, the Aggies have given up 3,055 passing yards , most since allowing 3,259 in 2012. Only Mississippi State allowed more in the SEC this season.

Run game ground down: The biggest key to Texas A&M’s early success was its ability to run the football. The Aggies rushed for 200-plus yards in each of their first six games. However, in the second half of the season, against the heart of the SEC, they did it just once more — a 233-yard performance against New Mexico State. Injuries in the offensive line and the beating Williams took over 28 carries in the Tennessee game took its toll over the final six games.

Depth: Just like in years past, the Aggies won big early. But as the season wears on and injuries, along with mounting bumps and bruises set in, they have wilted under the pressure of having second- and third-stringers step in and provide same, or near the same, results.