Admit it, at some point during the preseason, you pondered sipping the Kool-Aid.

Texas A&M’s young and spry offense coupled with instant improvements defensively with the hire of John Chavis made the Aggies a trendy pick as an SEC West darkhorse, a member of a division featuring only two teams perceived as clear-cut elites.

The ingredients were there, but the expiration date came sooner than expected.

In fact, the taste was downright sour after a couple swigs.

Texas A&M was supposed to be better this season. Had things gone right, Kevin Sumlin’s fourth campaign should’ve mirrored his 12-1 record at Houston if the path followed the same progression.

But this is the SEC and it’s difficult to win consistently in college football’s most competitive league.

The Aggies have lost three games since their bye week on Oct. 10, slipping out of the national conversation completely following a 5-0 start. Much like last season, the wheels came off after a lopsided SEC loss (Ole Miss) and quarterback questions came to the forefront, highlighted by the documented spat between Jake Spavital and Kyler Murray.

NCAA Football: Lamar at Texas A&MDuring this season-defining stretch, starting quarterback Kyle Allen, who has largely under-performed as a sophomore, was benched and Texas A&M lost at home by 16 points to Auburn’s worst team since 2012.

For everything Sumlin has done right to justify his annual salary of $5 million, the negatives are adding up. Reports have surfaced this week that Texas A&M won’t retain many of its assistant coaches after the season, including Spavital, in an effort to remold the staff before it’s too late for Sumlin.

The marriage between Air Raid guru and his disciple has run its course, due in large part to the presence of Johnny Manziel inflating the Aggies’ overall effectiveness on offense during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Spavital had momentum and used it to his advantage, but someone has to take the blame for the noticeable regression and it appears he’s the guy.

Sumlin’s raw numbers in College Station — 34 wins and 14 losses — sound legit considering the previous four years under Mike Sherman, but closer inspection reveals a program that has struggled against other teams on the same wavelength. From a competitive standpoint, the Aggies have made minor, if any, positive strides since winning 11 games in 2012.

Coaching is about progress and Sumlin has struggled in that aspect of his job. He’s 10-10 against ranked teams at this point and half of those victories came in his first season. Six teams in the SEC have bested the Aggies’ 16-14 record against league competition since Sumlin took over.

Texas A&M could very well finish sixth in the West for the second straight fall, a reality that’s led to speculation about Sumlin’s interest in the NFL. If he’s not winning in the SEC, what makes you think the next level will be any easier, especially for an offensive-minded coach whose scheme simply doesn’t work against speedy and physical defenses?

Behind the glitz and glam of top-level signing classes and stellar improvements at Kyle Field lives a team in need. Staff changes at season’s end will serve as a temporary solution to a long-term issue.

At some point, Sumlin has some explaining to do.