While offensive and defensive stars receive most of the glory, the kickers are oftentimes forgotten pieces of the puzzle. However, a strong and accurate kicker can make a world of difference, and Texas A&M hopes to be able to lean on Seth Small if need be.

Yes, drops were an issue. And indeed, stalling out in the red zone on so many occasions will be more costly against LSU. Still, behind a revitalized Kyle Allen, a relentless Tra Carson and re-emerging Speedy Noil and Josh Reynolds, the Texas A&M offense has life.

Texas A&M's run defense continues to degenerate and answers aren't within immediate sight. Improvement will come for the Aggie D, but it may not be complete until 2016 — and by that point, will A&M be ready to challenge the SEC West's elite?

On a cold, rainy night at Kyle Field on Saturday the Aggies played uninspired, falling behind early and never mounting much of a threat. A&M allowed 311 rushing yards in a disappointing loss that dropped it further back in the SEC West.

It's Aggies vs. Crimson Tide, and that means what it generally does: future NFL players litter the field, coaching stalwarts walk the sidelines and the game hinges on who wins critical battles on both sides of the ball.

Led by Kyle Allen's second straight 300-yard game, a hard-fought 110 yards from Tra Carson and a swarming Aggie defense that forced two key turnovers, Texas A&M held Dak Prescott in check and scored an SEC West win at home in front of 104,000 Saturday night.

Two high-powered offenses and two defenses looking to rebound, with motivation abounding on both sides. Saturday's outcome will come down to the Aggies and Sun Devils' playmakers, but which hold the advantage?

It seems there is no in-between with regard to Texas A&M in 2015: some think they'll soar past expectations, others expect to see them in the basement. The questions center around five areas — and the Aggies just may have the answers.

All around Aggieland and beyond, eager eyes will watch Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray duke it out for the title of Texas A&M's QB1 — and for good reason. However, heading into fall camp, competition that will be key to the Aggies' season also litters the rest of the roster.

The game of football's all-important third phase often flies under the radar, but determines multiple outcomes every year in the Southeastern Conference. Which SEC teams enter the 2015 season with strong kick, punt and return trios?

A mere week separates the Aggies from the summer months. The results from last Thursday's situational scrimmage and the three practices remaining will combine to begin the tale of what to expect when fall camp arrives.

Two-thirds of the way through an important spring, A&M has results both expected and surprising to work with. A number of Aggies have five more practices to state their case — and bolster their positions' outlooks.

With Kevin Sumlin's strong recruiting classes beginning to come into their own and an elite one on the way in 2015, fierce competition is to be expected up and down the roster. Five spots in particular may make all the difference.

By Aggie special teams coach Jeff Banks' own admission, he's in a tough position — not due to a lack of high-end potential in his meeting room, but an abundance of it. Texas A&M, thus, sits in an enviable spot.

Featuring a Ray Guy favorite at punter, two seasoned options at kicker and worlds of talent waiting its turn in the return game, Jeff Banks' unit is primed for success. But how high is the ceiling? Let them explain.

During Tuesday's edition of TexAgs Radio, former Texas A&M place kicker Terence Kitchens joined the program to discuss the state of the Aggies' special teams unit, commit Daniel LaCamera and more.

Is the next generation of Aggie stars on the way? It has to be, Texas A&M's head man insists. In the first half of a detailed sit-down talk with Billy Liucci, Sumlin took inventory of all three phases of the game.

Though the Aggies' Thursday scrimmage was closed to the media, the early session on the Coolidge Practice Fields provided insight into recent special teams developments and some noteworthy visitors.