For the first time all season, the most telling stat for Texas A&M was the opponent's score: zero. A look at the other numbers that contributed to it, however, reveals just how dominant the Aggies were in the field position game and on defense.

Onlookers may not have been terribly impressed with Texas A&M's performance against a subpar foe on Saturday night, but the numbers tell a slightly different story. In every category but one, the Aggies asserted themselves.

No, it wasn't pretty on film — and no, the numbers don't look any better. The story of Texas A&M's tilt with Auburn: the offense struggled mightily, the defense struggled mightily and the results, well, aren't surprising.

That Kyler Murray added a new dimension to the Texas A&M offense was obvious, but a closer look at the number reveals just how drastically the Aggies improved in several areas against South Carolina. The defense, meanwhile, looked the same on paper as on the field.

For the second consecutive week, the numbers merely reflect what even the untrained eye could see: against Ole Miss the Texas A&M defense finished strong after a rough first quarter ... and the Aggies' offensive performance was simply bad on epic levels.

Numbers rarely lie. In fact, in Texas A&M's showdown with Alabama they only confirm what most observers could plainly see: the Aggie offense's abysmal performance ultimately negated a superb effort from the defense over the game's final three quarters.

In the midst of a 5-0 opening and a rise to No. 9 in the polls, Texas A&M has shown marked improvement on defense and a steady sharpening on offense. But just where in the SEC do the Aggies rank in each facet? The numbers tell the story.

Facing the challenge posed by Dak Prescott's offense and a top-25 Bulldog defense, Texas A&M more or less controlled both lines of scrimmage most of the game in an efficient victory. The numbers show a greater gap than the score.

Against Arkansas the Aggies' offense seemed pedestrian and the defense ultimately did enough to hold the Razorbacks to 21 points. Yet, a deeper look at the numbers indicates the real story is reversed on both accounts.

A lackluster finish notwithstanding, the Aggies dominated Nevada in many ways the final score doesn't indicate. According to the numbers, Texas A&M's offense and defense are both nearly right on schedule.

In one half of competitive play the Aggies' starters continued their onslaught on both sides of the ball. Heading into the season's third game, Texas A&M, the numbers say, is ahead of pace.