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OXFORD, Miss. - One step forward, two steps back. Sometimes that just the way a football team will be. On Saturday, Texas A&M proved to be one of those teams heading into the second half of the season. 

The Aggies picked up a 24-17 victory over Ole Miss to improve to 4-3 on the year. Following a closely battled matchup against top-ranked Alabama, the struggling Rebels seemed like a breeze to face. And at times, they were thanks to impressive defensive plays. 

But the real problem relied on offense. Kellen Mond struggled to find a balanced rhythm through the air, throwing for two interceptions. Both passes were rushed on target to hit Jalen Wydermyer. 

Both passes had to be rushed. The Aggies offensive line wasn't going to help their quarterback at all. And while the team will improve on the season overall, a looming question now sits in the trenches headed back to Kyle Field. 

The reality is simple; should the Aggies offensive line struggles, close wins are all to expect. 

"We competed in the game hard. We've just got to learn to play better in all three phases," A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. "We're not playing as well as we need to play. But to go on the road to get an SEC win is a crucial thing to do. To be able to battle it out when it wasn't going well." 

Winning in Oxford has consistently been a struggle for the Aggies. Not even Johnny Manziel could make the trip back home without bumping into some blocks. The difference this season was due up front and things continued to head south from the first snap. 

Consistently on the move, Mond's pocket time was considered brief at best. Forcing throws early while making defenders miss, the junior threw for only 167 yards on the evening. That was against a pass defense that was ranked 122nd on the year coming into Saturday's outing. 

Even when moving, the Rebels' defensive line still made plays. Six total to be exact. Four times the team was able to bring him down behind the line of scrimmage. Twice, the pressure forced Mond to make an ill-advised throw that would cost the team a turnover. 

"You know, you got to learn to win on your bad days," Fisher said. "You're not playing your best and you have to find a win to come out on top and I give our guys credit for that...it beats the alternative."

Special teams shined while the defense did their job. Granted, a 67-yard touchdown early isn't going to do the Aggies favors, but a 62-yard fumble recovery could negate the moment. But even when it felt like it things were going the team's way, they still took a step back. 

Texas A&M's biggest issue of the season has been consistency. Should Mond shine through the air, it's likely due to the poor ground game. Should the defense step bigger than usual, it's because the offense is stalling flat. 

Yesterday, outside of several primetime plays, the Aggies were flat. That starts up front in the trenches for the team. And the lingering reality is that it won't improve in the coming weeks. 

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see where A&M goes on the line. Could a player be moved or someone let go? If nothing is changed, there are problems ahead. 

An offensive line is like the foundation of a house. A strong one will last a lifetime while a weak one will cave in on itself. 

For now, the foundation on A&M's offense is on teetering on which way it will bend.