The dialog around Texas A&M became one in every of the brand new topics of the offseason. Many include been questioning whether Texas A&M became closing the gap on Alabama after the Aggies carried out 9-1 in 2020, with its easiest loss coming to a Crimson Tide crew that carried out because the undefeated nationwide champions. Because the 2 prepare to meet on Saturday night, however, the ask is no longer whether Texas A&M has closed the gap; pretty, or now not it’s whether No. 1 Alabama has elevated it.
A Texas A&M offense billed as extra dynamic than final 365 days’s unit has flopped since an early-season injury to starting quarterback Haynes King, and the Aggies’ vaunted protection now has little serve. That is now not precisely a recipe for success because the Crimson Tide rolls into metropolis original off an authoritative 42-21 victory over Ole Omit final week.
The Aggies are dealing with consecutive SEC West losses following a 26-22 house defeat in opposition to Mississippi Screech and are in concern of starting SEC play 0-3. That can maybe include been unthinkable appropriate weeks previously as coach Jimbo Fisher entered his fourth season, pledging to defeat Alabama and coach Nick Saban at some level. Now, because the 2 prepare to tangle, it appears love easiest a miracle will spend Saban from operating his picture in opposition to his same old assistants to 25-0.
Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Desire to grasp
A check for Alabama’s offense: This may maybe be the finest protection that Alabama has faced since it narrowly escaped Florida with a 31-29 bewitch on Sept. 18. In that sport, the Alabama offense exploded for 3 touchdowns on its first three possessions earlier than slowing down, permitting the Gators to come again in the game. Florida gave itself a likelihood by forcing the Crimson Tide to punt on three consecutive assortment in the 2nd quarter. Retaining the Crimson Tide at bay for extended sessions is with reference to now not ability, but Mississippi Screech is the finest crew to attain extra than two touchdowns on Texas A&M yet this season.
Aggies floundering offensively: The most evident disagreement between this SEC boulevard sport and Alabama’s bewitch over Florida is the caliber of the opposing offense. Florida’s protection acquired off the field in the 2nd quarter and handed the football over to an offense that ranks first nationally in yards per stride this season. The Gators came upon holes in Alabama’s protection with ingenious play-calling and quality offensive line play. Texas A&M’s 5.2 yards per lift is solid, but the Aggies don’t include a cellular quarterback love Florida and do not include a passing assault that Alabama will must admire. Just a few three-and-outs for the Texas A&M offense may maybe force the Aggies’ protection into tricky spots and permit Alabama to capture spend an eye fixed on.
Injure woes: Alabama acquired some erroneous news in the wake of its bewitch over Ole Omit. Sophomore operating back Jase McClellan will hobble away out the leisure of the season with a knee injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of that sport. But the Crimson Tide include ample backs in the obtain to deal along with his loss. The accidents that Texas A&M announced this week seem some distance extra crippling. Cornerbacks Myles Jones and Brian George will hobble away out the leisure of the season, as will heart Luke Matthews. Jones has played sparingly after a solid 2020 campaign, but George had been a mainstay in the Aggies’ secondary until he became injured in opposition to Arkansas. Matthews became anticipated to be the crew’s starting heart after lacking the 2020 season but had played shrimp snaps this season. These accidents, in conjunction with the injury to King at quarterback and points with the crew’s receiver depth, are inserting the Aggies’ depth the check.
Pointers on how to learn Alabama vs. Texas A&M dwell
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Region: Kyle Area — College Arrangement, Texas
TV: CBS | Dwell circulation: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Alabama vs. Texas A&M prediction, picks
Featured Sport | Texas A&M Aggies vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
This may maybe be the finest protection Alabama has faced since having fun with Florida, but the Aggies’ inability to switch the football on offense will give the Crimson Tide some distance extra cracks offensively. Anticipate the Aggies’ protection to bend with out breaking for a little earlier than the floodgates originate in the third quarter. Prediction: Alabama (-17.5)
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