The optimistic in Aggieland probably figured their team would stand at 4-1 right now, or even 5-0 for the real sunshine pumpers. The more objective fans (are there any out there, really) could see 3-2 as a distinct possibility.

And that’s where the Aggies stand right now, at 3-2, coming off the bye week in preparation for Alabama next Saturday at Kyle Field.

But it has been a somewhat disappointing 3-2, with the Aggies not putting up much of a fight against Clemson or Auburn. Granted, Auburn is much better than most anticipated, but still: It was a home game against a Tigers team that appeared equal on paper. And North Carolina proved that Clemson is vulnerable, raising the question: Did the Aggies make the Tigers look better than they actually are?

Those are the things that make us a little bit nervous looking ahead to Saturday, and then down the road through the second half of the season. Here’s how we see the remaining schedule playing out.

Oct. 12 vs. Alabama (L)

The Aggies’ pass defense is vastly improved over the past several years … at least statistically, so far. Texas A&M is fourth in the SEC against the pass, yielding an average of 191.4 yards per game through the air. That’s 60 yards better than last year’s totals.

Now the bad news. The Aggies gave up 297 passing yards to Arkansas and another 268 to Clemson, not to mention 211 to Texas State.

Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa will certainly test the Aggies’ secondary, and the Crimson Tide will look to pile up the points as they cruise to victory.

Oct. 19 at Ole Miss (W)

Flip the script in this one. It’s the Ole Miss secondary that is second to none in the SEC when it comes to giving up passing yardage. The Rebels have yielded a league-high 1,572 yards through the air, and it’s Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond who will look to take advantage as the Aggies do the cruising this time.

Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond should have a field day against the Ole Miss secondary. Photo by: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 26 vs. Mississippi State (W)

The Bulldogs have won three straight over Texas A&M. But they don’t have Nick Fitzgerald to deal with anymore, and the Aggies are 2-1 all-time at Kyle Field vs. Bully. Make it 3-1, as the Aggies shut down Mississippi State’s run game and move the ball up and down the field on a somewhat porous Bulldogs defense.

Nov. 2 vs. UTSA (W)

This should be easy enough. The Aggies shut down the Roadrunners’ average-at-best offense and then run all over their leaky rush defense that is allowing an average of 400 yards per game. It might not be an exciting rout, but it should offer one of the few times that the young running backs get the spotlight.

Nov. 16 vs. South Carolina (W)

It will be interesting to see how the season has played out to this point for the Gamecocks. It’s possible that they need this one to become bowl eligible, and that’s what makes it so tricky.

The Aggies have won all five previous meetings between the teams, including two games at Kyle Field in which Texas A&M won each by a touchdown. That’s how we see this one ending up as well.

Nov. 23 at Georgia (L)

The Bulldogs will just be too much for the Aggies, especially Between the Hedges. Georgia’s program is simply at a different level right now, a level that the Aggies aspired to reach when they opened the checkbook to Jimbo Fisher.

A victory here would go a long way toward closing the gap between the programs. But it just doesn’t look that way right now.

Nov. 30 at LSU (L)

The Tigers will be looking for revenge from the defeat they suffered in the epic battle last year at Kyle Field. With 100,000-plus screaming fans and Joe Burrow tossing accurate passes through the bourbon-scented air, LSU exacts its revenge and Texas A&M limps into bowl season with a 7-5 record.