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.

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.

A week off has done nothing to temper the quiet confidence leaking from the football facilities, where the Aggie offense appears to be on schedule and the talented pieces on defense may be finding their way.

By merely looking at recent trends, fans of the Aggies likely have an idea of which areas must see improvement next season. Yet, one above the rest is in dire need of inspired performances from unexpected sources.

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.

Whatever second chance the Aggies afforded their season with the Auburn win, they then squandered. A final look begins with a defense that found a new level of defenseless in the game's most pivotal moments.

The two teams' last meeting featured several all-conference stars who are now peddling their trades in the NFL. The Aggies' young talent must lead the way, but the Tigers go to battle with some experienced leaders.

Shakeups weren't promised, but open competition was. Saturday's game won't tell A&M fans much about what awaits in the season's final stretch, but how certain Aggies play should say a great deal about them.

Improvement is a mere moral victory and a debatable one at that, but there's no question the Aggie D gave the team every chance to win Saturday's game. The deficiencies are still clear — but they're far fewer.

A Saturday night brawl under the lights between two emergent SEC West powers will litter Kyle Field with stars, resting the latest outcome of what has been a hotly contested series on whose shine brightest.

The Aggies expect to see several key pieces return from injury. The Mustangs, despite their poor start and coaching turnover, put playmakers on the field. Individual performances will determine the game's nature.

With a look around what makes the offense tick and the defense's struggles, 'The Sideline View' co-owner and Texans football analyst John Harris explains how good the Aggies are and how good they can be.

Just as in 2013, the Owls' run game presented problems for a shorthanded Aggie defense. The difference? A&M allowed just 10 points when all was said and done. But improvement in certain areas must come soon.

A slight improvement over 2013 was all any Aggie could ask for to open the season on the road against a top-10 opponent. Instead, the A&M defense provided compelling moments and a strong cause for hope.

Very little is clear on paper in a bout that features so many ifs at so many positions. The Aggies have more than a chance of stealing an upset on the road — but they'll have to get the best of a few important battles.

New faces at quarterback. Talented backfields and receiving corps. Future stars on defense. The Aggies and Gamecocks will line up for the season with difference-makers all over the field — but which will prevail?

As in 2013, some of Texas A&M's best players may be its most inexperienced. Indeed, youth again litters the Aggie depth chart — but in stark contrast to the season gone by, so does talent across the board.

Citing personal reasons, Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin on Monday announced the departure of senior defensive end Gavin Stansbury from the team. A&M also confirmed redshirt freshman Victor Davis' arrest.