After a crushing loss to UCLA, Texas A&M football has moved it’s way back up the SEC standings. On Saturday, the Aggies face the best of the best in Alabama.
Texas A&M opened the season at the Rose Bowl against UCLA. While the first half went well, the second half was the direct opposite. After a 34-point comeback, the Aggies found themselves 0-1 and reeling trying to figure out what the heck happened.
Since then, the Aggies have won four straight — Nicholls State, UL-Lafayette, Arkansas and South Carolina. None of those wins really stick out at the moment, but a win over the Crimson Tide sure would. However, the Aggies are having issues playing complete games and being consistent. The defense and the offense have shined at times, but never together it seems.
Speaking of the Crimson Tide, what haven’t they done right so far this season? They have outscored opponents 231-43 so far this season — including matchups with Florida State, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. Those teams are definitely stronger than those that A&M has faced and the Tide has wiped the floor with them all.
Does Texas A&M even have a chance or does Alabama clean up shop and move on?
Here’s how you can watch the SEC showdown:
Date: Saturday Oct. 7
Time: 7:15 pm ET
Location: College Station, Texas
Venue: Kyle Field
Network: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
This will be a hard one for Texas A&M. They will need to come out firing on all cylinders, not waiting for a questionable call to fire up the team and the crowd. The defense will need to attack Jalen Hurts and throw off the Tide’s running game quickly and effectively. They will also need to cover wide receiver Calvin Ridley at all costs.
On the offensive side of the ball, Kellen Mond needs to keep his focus and trust himself. He will need to spread the ball out and make plays when they are needed the most. He will also need to be sure not to force throws and make mistakes as a result, because the Tide defense will feast on those mistakes.
For Alabama, they just need to keep doing what they have been doing. They will need to come out and start fast, gashing holes in the Aggie secondary. Force Mond to make throws he isn’t comfortable with and get turnovers.
The winner of the turnover margin will win this game. That’s for sure. And if history repeats itself, that may just be the Crimson Tide.
Prediction
Alabama has been firing on all cylinders and I don’t see that changing any time soon. While the Aggies will put up a valiant effort, much like every team that faces the Tide does, it won’t be enough. Hurts gets over 100 yards rushing and finds Ridley for at least two touchdowns.
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Mond will feel the pressure early and often, throwing three interceptions by the game’s end. While Texas A&M will find a way to put up 10 points, it won’t be enough to stop the rolling of the Tide. While, as an Aggie fan, I hope I’m dead wrong, but I can’t see this as a victory for the Aggies.
Final Score: Alabama 52, Texas A&M 10