Texas A&M fans, I regret to inform you that rumblings of the SEC West's imminent downfall are overblown.

The early season narrative centers around mighty Alabama's reign of terror on college football ending. Gone are the days of early-round NFL Draft selections Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young captaining a ship replete with future Sunday stars at wide receiver. In its wake is a three-man quarterback roulette that's suffered an upset to Texas at home and eked out a 17-3 victory over noted non-powerhouse South Florida.

After witnessing a struggling offensive line that ranks 123rd in the nation in sacks allowed per game and a frustrated new offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees, college football fans eager for a toppling Alabamian dynasty fail to remember the last time Nick Saban's team fell out of the Top 10, in 2015, they went on to win the national championship. They also overlook that the Crimson Tide ranks 1st in the 247 team talent composite.

But LSU got smoked on national television 45-24 to Florida State in week one! Sophomore linebacker Harold Perkins was invisible, and quarterback Jayden Daniels wasn't the guy. Undoubtedly, the Tigers will come down to earth after a 10–4 campaign in Brian Kelly's first year, right? Daniels has tossed seven touchdowns on an 83% completion rate in the past two games, and Perkins was all over the backfield as LSU trounced Mississippi State 41-14 in Week 3. See, the Tigers also fell to Florida State last year before winning nine of their next 10 games. 

Add in the fact that Ole Miss is 3–0, and the SEC West suddenly doesn't appear so frail. Yes, Arkansas looks sluggish without running back Raheim Sanders and is 114th in the nation in penalties. Auburn is still rebuilding a roster decimated by the Bryan Harsin era (just one player remains from its 2021 recruiting class). Mississippi State looks weak after an overtime victory against Arizona and a throttling to LSU.

But Texas A&M's last-place finish in the SEC West in 2022 was an aberration. In Jimbo Fisher's tenure, they've finished second twice, third once and fourth once. The Aggies compete with the division's top three, and the top three are close to most years.

So, Texas A&M fans, the division isn't necessarily down, but the Aggies are still in prime position to compete for the crown even with the Week 2 loss to Miami.

It all starts at quarterback with sophomore Conner Weigman, who looks like the truth early in the season. He's got eight touchdowns on a 70 percent completion rate, and two interceptions against Miami that can be explained away either by a receiver falling down or a last-minute, futile comeback attempt. He's been poised in the pocket, taking just two sacks on the year, and his offensive line is getting healthy just in time for SEC ball with center Bryce Foster set to return. The Aggies offense, under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, has averaged 44 points a game this season. 

Weigman has a bevy of talented pass catchers, even minus tight end Donovan Green, who suffered a season-ending injury in fall camp. Evan Stewart exploded for 257 yards in the first two games before sitting out as a precaution in Week 3 against Louisiana Monroe, but in his place, Ainais Smith got back on track. Texas A&M also enjoyed breakout performances from receiver Jahdae Walker (5 catches, 110 yards, TD) and 6-foot-6-inch tight end Jake Johnson (6 catches, 36 yards) in their first starts. Head coach Jimbo Fisher praised Walker on his radio show Wednesday, a sign he'll be a contributor down the line.

“This guy’s the real deal," Fisher said. "I’ve said it from the get-go. And not only from his play, (but) his energy level. The energy he brings to the field and practice every day. He’s that guy; you’ll walk on the field and he’s just (yelling) ‘Heyyyy!’”

The issue for the Aggies, especially as they get deeper into SEC play, lies on the defensive side of the ball. The Miami game proved DJ Durkin's unit is still far from where it needs to be. The nation's No. 1-ranked pass defense in 2022 in Week Two of this year allowed 374 yards and five touchdowns through the air. The secondary pieces are there, led by Jacoby Matthews, Demani Richardson and Bryce Anderson, to return to form.

Thus far, it's been the run defense that's shown the most improvement. Last season, Texas A&M generated next to no pressure (see 19 sacks generated and 209 rushing yards per game surrendered). Right now, they're giving up just 98.3 yards per contest, but they'll be tested this week against Auburn and dual-threat QB tandem Robby Ashford and Payton Thorne. Shemar Turner has been an early standout of a rejuvenated front seven, with three of the team's five sacks this season.

“There’s nobody on our football team that loves football more than Shemar Turner," Fisher said at his Tuesday press conference.

The sky is not falling on the SEC West, but Alabama and LSU taking a loss in non-conference play means that Texas A&M's defeat isn't panic-inducing. The Aggies look like an improved team from last year's bizarre collapse. Now they have everything to play for heading into the conference slate.