Alabama-Texas A&M Highlights Vegas SEC Predictions Week 8
Saturday Blitz Vegas SEC Predictions Week 8
Game of the Week
No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies at No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide
Line: Alabama by 13.5
This game doesn’t had the hype it had over the past two years when Johnny Football led Texas A&M against the Tide, but it should. This version of Alabama-Texas A&M involves two ranked teams who were both in the Top 5 a couple of weeks ago, but they are a combined 0-3 against the Mississippi schools. The winner between these two teams at least has a chance to get back in the mix, particularly from Alabama’s perspective.
Alabama has obviously drawn lots of criticism recently for the way it struggled to put away Arkansas last week, and all of a sudden we have lots of questions about this offense. And for good reasons. Blake Sims wasn’t terrible, but he can’t do much without a running game. And with a nonexistent rushing attack, the Tide aren’t going to roll over anybody. Fortunately, they play a weak rush defense in Texas A&M this weekend, so they should stick with it. Alabama’s offensive line may not be what it once was, but it’s still the best in the country, and TJ Yeldon is supposed to be a superstar. Well, let’s see it on Saturday when the Tide go head to head with Texas A&M. The defense has been fine, but it needs to step up as well against a high-powered Texas A&M passing game. Getting pressure on Kenny Hill is going to be the key. If they do that and run the ball, they win.
Texas A&M clearly doesn’t have the hype it had two weeks ago before getting blown out by the schools from Mississippi. The Aggies have shown a struggle to score when Kenny Hill is pressured, which forces him into turning the ball over. If they want to get over that hump, Hill needs to learn to score with pressure. The defense also needs to stiffen up. Kevin Sumlin’s group is very young and going to get better, and the pass defense is actually pretty good, but the rush defense has been a huge problem. Simply put, the Aggies need to stack the line. Force Sims to beat you by throwing the football, and make sure you keep the running game from ever getting off the ground. Sims still might do it, but that at least gives you the best chance to win. Arkansas proved that with its game plan last week. So for Texas A&M, the key to winning is on the defense and if Hill can calm down in the pocket.
Prediction
Kenny Hill is going to get better when it comes to throwing the ball under pressure. Kevin Sumlin can be trusted to make sure that happens. It might even happen this week. But there is still nothing he’ll be able to do. The Tide’s running game is going to get back on track against this weak Texas A&M defense, and Yeldon and Derrick Henry will each have 100 yards. Sims will have a few nice plays to Amari Cooper en route to a 200 yard passing game, and Alabama wins in a game that will be a little bit high-scoring but won’t be considered a shootout.
Alabama: 31 Texas A&M 24