When the dust settled in Houston, the only thing that had surpassed the hype of John Chavis' Texas A&M debut was the reality. And while most of what made the Aggies successful was from the classic Chavis playbook, the talent on the roster allowed for a few new wrinkles.

As if you hadn't consumed all the maroon kool-aid available, TAMUHighlights has poured yet another pitcher for your viewing pleasure.

The turnaround John Chavis engineered in the Texas A&M defense is so stark as to seem whiplash-inducing. With depth, talent and confidence dominantly on display against a strong offense, the Aggies' ceiling appears much higher.

At times it little resembled the polished machine that has defined Kevin Sumlin's tenure in Aggieland, but the Texas A&M offense nonetheless put up 31 points on a swarming defense. Now the Aggies' focus turns to fine-tuning the outlying issues.

Led by a ferocious pass rush and timely plays from a pair of Arizona products, Texas A&M opened with a statement win. Why should your enthusiasm not be tempered this time around? The answer is a simple one.

Texas A&M's Myles Garrett may well be the best player in college football, but on Saturday he had competition on his own team. He and Daeshon Hall combined for six sacks in a stunningly simple way: beating whatever the Sun Devils threw at them.

From the epicenter of Texas A&M's statement season-opening win at NRG Stadium on Saturday, Billy Liucci and Brandon Leone join the discussion on John Chavis' memorably strong debut, the quarterback situation and the Aggies' emerging stars.

The Aggies' strong Saturday victory produced storylines and stars alike and set the tone for the rest of the season — something Kevin Sumlin and his players discussed following the final outcome in Houston.

Few expected Texas A&M to succeed in a game where its offense struggled. None expected its defense to be the difference. Led by freshman Christian Kirk and a swarming defensive line, the Aggies opened 1-0 with a statement.

IT TOOK EVERYBODY.

Kevin Sumlin's Aggies opened the season with no ranking, but plenty of confidence. Led by John Chavis' defense, Texas A&M backed it up on Saturday with a stifling performance that ended in a comfortable victory in Houston.

Kevin Sumlin's Aggies find themselves in a familiar position opening the 2015 season: doubted for reasons that are unclear to many. One team enters Saturday's matchup with a ranking, the other without — but which actually enters with more questions?

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?

Saturday's anticipated matchup between the Aggies and Sun Devils will draw more than just the fans' attention. Several of Texas A&M's commits and top targets will be eagerly watching — and they have their own opinions of how it will go.

Potential stars at quarterback. Playmakers on the perimeter. Returning leaders on defense. The Aggies and Sun Devils will line up for the season with difference-makers all over the field — but which will prevail?

Well, we made it. Football is BACK. It was a long offseason, but we survived, so surely we can survive one night of football partying with Arizona State. Right? Let's retire to the nerdery with our calculators and find out. Let's Run the Numbers!

The offseason overhaul of Texas A&M's defense will stand across from its first measuring stick on Saturday. A pair of Arizona State weapons, utilized correctly, could be difficult to defend — will John Chavis' Aggies be ready?