If I were to tell you that Texas A&M lost the time of possession battle, converted just 3-of-9 on 3rd down, completed barely more than 50 percent of its passes (13-for-25) for 148 yards and missed both field goal tries, you’d probably think your worst fears had been realized and the Aggies had a huge letdown after the monumental victory over Alabama last week. Right?

Well, statistically, that’s exactly what it looked like on Saturday.

But in addition to what the scoreboard showed, there were stats that proved Texas A&M earned its 35-14 thrashing of Missouri in Columbia, the Aggies’ 1st road win over Missouri since a 51-14 rout in 1999.

The Aggies were 4-for-4 in the red zone. They matched their season high with 29 1st downs.

Their defense held Missouri to less than 100 yards rushing, with freshman linebacker Edgerrin Cooper leading the charge. He had a team- and career-high 8 tackles, including 7 solo. Graduate linebacker Aaron Hansford contributed a career-high 2 tackles for loss, and graduate lineman Micheal Clemons added another, making it 5 straight games with at least 1.0 TFL.

More stats that indicated a thorough advantage: Running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane combined for 292 yards on the ground.

The game was basically over before it really got started, proving the Aggies would not suffer a Bama victory hangover. Quite the opposite, in fact. First-quarter interceptions by sophomores Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson, each grabbing his 1st career pick, led to 10 of Texas A&M’s 21 points in the first 15 minutes. That’s the most points the Aggies have scored in an opening quarter since scoring 21 against then-No. 9 Tennessee in 2016.

Yes, Texas A&M came ready to play. You have to give major props to head coach Jimbo Fisher for having his team’s collective heads screwed on properly. There was never even a hint of overlooking this game, from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

The Aggies were in control from the outset, and the offensive line was magnificent again after turning in its best game as a group against Alabama. Jahmir Johnson returned to the lineup, and along with Kenyon Green, Bryce Foster, Reuben Fatheree II and tight ends Jalen Wydermyer and Max Wright helped control the line of scrimmage.

That allowed for Spiller to notch his 14th 100-yard game. He finished with a game-high 168 yards. His 48-yard touchdown run in the 1st quarter was his 5th scoring run in the last 6 games.

It also opened running lanes for Achane, who finished with 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was the sophomore’s 3rd multi-touchdown game of his career and 2nd this season.

While quarterback Zach Calzada didn’t have his best game, the Aggies really didn’t need for him to. Calzada was good enough to throw touchdown passes of 2 and 11 yards to junior wide receiver Ainias Smith, who is now tied for 8th place on the Aggies’ all-time career touchdown reception list with 15.

Give Fisher the credit; he had his team ready. Not an easy task after a victory of such magnitude. Does this mean the light bulb has flickered on? The process has taken hold? The inexcusable losses to Arkansas and Mississippi State are a thing of the past, never to be relived again? Well, that remains to be seen.

For now, it would appear the Texas A&M is on the right track, and Fisher has the Aggies in the right frame of mind to make a strong 2nd-half run.