The last time Texas A&M traveled to Columbia, David Olano accounted for every point the Aggies scored.

Two field goals. Six points. A 27-6 loss to Missouri on Oct. 10.

Four weeks later, Texas A&M is headed back to Columbia — South Carolina this time — still searching for its first road victory.

The Aggies (4-4, 1-4 SEC) face No. 21 South Carolina (5-3, 3-3 SEC) on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, fresh off a bye week that gave Mike Elko an extra seven days to address his team's offensive struggles.

And if there's anything working in Elko's favor, it's his record following an open week.

According to Texas A&M's official game notes, the Aggies are 4-0 following bye weeks under Elko, averaging 31.5 points in those contests.

That's encouraging ... until you look at what happens when this team leaves College Station.

Texas A&M has scored 194 points across five home games this season, averaging 38.8 per contest.

On the road? Just 32 points in three games.

That's an average of 10.7 points, with the Aggies failing to reach the end zone against either LSU or Missouri.

READ MORE: Texas A&M Looks to Rewrite History Against No. 23 South Carolina

And while blowout victories over Missouri State and The Citadel inflate those home numbers, removing both games still leaves Texas A&M averaging 34.3 points in its other three home appearances.

The Aggies have faced tougher competition away from Kyle Field. Saturday won't be any different.

South Carolina has won three consecutive games, including a 42-25 victory at Oklahoma last weekend. The Gamecocks are No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings, while Texas A&M has dropped three of its last four SEC contests.

Even the Aggies' most recent road performance offered little reason to believe they've solved their problems.

Texas A&M entered the fourth quarter at Alabama leading 20-17. The offense then managed just 15 yards over the final 15 minutes, and the Crimson Tide scored 14 unanswered points to secure a 31-20 victory.

Elko has now had two weeks to figure out what went wrong.

And he could be forced to make those adjustments without several offensive contributors.

Freshman running back KJ Edwards, who leads the Aggies with 360 rushing yards, was listed as questionable Friday. Receivers Terry Bussey, Kelshaun Johnson and Ashton Bethel-Roman were ruled out, along with offensive lineman Blake Ivy.

Those absences won't make life any easier for Marcel Reed and an offense that has struggled to produce outside College Station.

READ MORE: Texas A&M Gets Injury Boost But Key Stars Remain Out vs. South Carolina

Earlier this week, Elko acknowledged seeing improvement against Alabama, particularly along the line of scrimmage.

"We're not talking about growth when we're not winning football games, because that's what we're here to do," Elko said.

And the Aggies have precious little time left to start winning.

Texas A&M entered the season hoping to build on its College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. Instead, it's sitting at .500 with South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas remaining on the schedule.

A loss Saturday would leave the Aggies needing two victories in their final three games just to become bowl eligible.

Elko has never lost coming off a bye week at Texas A&M. But after three road losses, that perfect record won't mean much if the Aggies return from South Carolina empty-handed.

Six points in Columbia was embarrassing enough the first time. Another loss in another Columbia — after two weeks to prepare — would leave Elko facing a question he shouldn't have to answer in November.

What, exactly, did the extra week fix?

Source: Yahoo Sports