It’s a quarter of the way through the schedule, and it’s time to give the Aggies a state-of-the-program assessment. At 3-0 after Saturday’s 34-0 drubbing of New Mexico, and with a top-10 ranking, one would think there’s little to improve upon.

But that really isn’t the case, especially on offense. Beginning next week with the Arkansas game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, there are some things that still need cleaning up. Let’s take a look at the overall team after those first 3 games.

What have we learned in the first 3 games?

Among other things, we learned why Haynes King won the starting job at quarterback. King appeared more athletic, although the sample size was miniscule as he was injured in the first game. Still, we could see that King was much more comfortable at the position and more athletic. Zach Calzada is certainly serviceable, but his escapability and pocket presence still leave something to be desired.

We also learned that the Aggies’ defense is as good as any. Or did we already know that? We surely knew it would be good. And through 3 games, it hasn’t exactly faced a juggernaut of an offense. Still, it has been able to shut down the opposition regardless of its level of talent. Saturday’s blanking was the Aggies’ first shutout in 5 years. If defenses still win championships in the SEC and in the playoffs, Texas A&M appears to be in good shape.

Should we revise those preseason expectations?

I’m not sure “revise” is the proper term. Perhaps “tweak” would be more appropriate. But that can be expected when your starting quarterback goes down in the first game. Not that Calzada is miles behind King in ability, but there’s a reason one is No. 1 and another is No. 2.

If things aren’t fixed along the offensive line, then “revise” would be the appropriate term to use in reevaluating the season because it won’t be what most had thought. And as the O-line goes, so goes Calzada behind it.

Who has emerged?

The defense as a whole has emerged as perhaps the best unit in college football. It has picked up where it left off last season. It was supposed to be a strength, and it has met and even slightly exceeded expectations.

Sophomore DB Antonio Johnson has emerged as one of the big hitters on defense, along with usual suspects Aaron Hansford, DeMarvin Leal, Jayden Peevy, Micheal Clemons, Leon O’Neal Jr. and Damani Richardson, among others.

Who has disappointed?

The offensive line has yet to jell; that’s a concern. Injuries have played a part, throwing a freshman in at center. Twists and stunts by New Mexico gave the Aggies’ offensive line some trouble on Saturday. There has to be some sort of metamorphosis from this group with SEC play beginning next Saturday.

“We’ve got to block better,” was head coach Jimbo Fisher’s comment immediately following Saturday’s game. “We’ve got to become a better team. We’re very average right now.”

Are they who we thought they were?

Pretty much; we knew the Aggies were stout on defense. We knew they would be physical. We thought they’d be more physical along the offensive line and subsequently have a more potent run game.

Who could have known that the starting quarterback would be injured in the first game? That usually changes things considerably. Fortunately, the Aggies have a “backup” quarterback who compares favorably.

All things considered, the Aggies are probably somewhat less than what was expected of them. That’s not to say they can’t meet and even exceed preseason expectations. But right now, the Aggies are somewhat underwhelming when you consider they were in the Playoff conversation.

They’ll enter November with a 6-2 record

Unless the offensive line improves in a hurry, next Saturday’s game with Arkansas could be the end of the line for the Aggies’ 11-game win streak, their longest since 1992. And they’ll have less of a chance to beat Alabama whether they play them at Kyle Field or anywhere else.

The other 3 games in that stretch won’t be easy, either. They get Mississippi State at home but must go to Missouri, which has been somewhat of a disappointment itself. In addition, a home game with South Carolina could be tricky.

Fix the problems along the offensive line, and the other problems on offense should disappear as well. It’ll be interesting to see how it all develops now that the SEC schedule is here.