Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Preview
by Cole Thompson
Tuscaloosa– In a game when everything is on the line, anything can happen on a Saturday like this. The Texas A&M Aggies will travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium this weekend to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide. While both these teams were early favorites to win the SEC west title, both have shown their weakness’ and have found themselves with a loss as well this season. Still, a simple win can turn their season around and put them back in the race.
The Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1 (2-1 SEC)) are coming off a tough win on the road in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks. After a loss in Oxford, the Tide return home and are still undefeated there this season. It has been said that the Crimson Tide are a completely different team on the road then at home. For this team to win against a very talented receiving core of Texas A&M, Alabama will have to play like the home version of themselves if they want to win this weekend.
The Texas A&M Aggies, (5-2 (2-2 SEC)) have really taken a step back after 2 straight losses to a set of Mississippi schools recently. Still, Texas A&M still has alot to play for this season led by Sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill. Since joining the SEC, the Aggies have taken a win on the road and loss at home. The series is tied now and both teams will be fighting for blood. Texas A&M’s receiving core is definitely able to make a mess of Alabama if given the chance.
Who will win? Who will fall? Which team will come out on top this weekend and still fight for their chance at the College Football Playoff. Lets dive in and see which team has the upper advantage this week.
WHAT TO KNOW
Date: Saturday, October 18th
Time: 3:30 EST, 2:30 CST
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV: CBS
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, Texas A&M Radio Network
Vegas Line- Alabama by 12 1/2
KEYS TO VICTORY: ALABAMA
> Pass like they’re the Aggies
Alabama under Blake Sims has shown tremendous success in the passing game this past season. However, after a great 4-0 start, the passing game dwindled away and questions were raised. If Alabama wants to make a statement, they need to pass as many times as possible. While Alabama may have a weaker secondary this year then in past season, Texas A&M definitely has a weaker one. There is no one on that field who can hold OJ Howard, DeAndrew White and Amari Cooper this weekend. IF Alabama really wants to step up, they need to pass alot for short first downs and find a way to make A&M’s secondary disappear.
> Stop the Pass
> Stop the Run
Last season, Alabama ran for 234 yards in the shootout from College Station. If A&M wants any chance to win this game, it’ll be stopping that running game. While last year might have been a great year for running, Alabama is in it second lowest yards-per-carry since Saban stepped foot in Tuscaloosa. A&M will have to use that for their advantage. If they can force TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry to make mistakes and get off the field quickly, they have done their job. Make no mistake, stopping Amari Cooper will be important too, but stopping that run game is far more important for Saturday.
> Stay on the Field
PLAYERS TO WATCH: ALABAMA
>Derrick Henry
Two weeks ago, Alabama lost their junior running back Kenyan Drake for the season to a broken leg injury. Now more then ever, the former No.1 Running Back recruit will have to play harder then asked to. This season Henry has found success into small plays into major runs with a few spins here and there. Texas A&M’s defense will be waiting for him and Yeldon to jump in their arms and that cant happen. Henry will need to press against his line, hit the hole and move up field as quick as possible. While Yeldon will see as many carries on Saturday as Henry, Henry will need to be the running back Alabama desperately needs right now.
> Landon Collins
If there is one positive this season in Alabama’s secondary, look no further then Landon Collins. Over the past season the kid has put up major numbers with over 50 tackles and two interceptions. Not to mention a ton of pass deflections that really helped in Alabama’s huge wins as well. This is where Collins was born to shine, against a high spread offense who will be passing his way most of the game. Collins must be able to read Hill’s eyes all day if he wants to add another interception to his resume this season. While interceptions aren’t everything still, Collins must be ready for that passing game, no matter what happens in front of him.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: TEXAS A&M
>Kenny Hill
Remember that fellow Johnny Manziel and how well he did for the Aggies? Well, Kenny Hill has averaged more passing yards in just 7 games then Manziel had throughout his ENTIRE career in college. Unfortunately for Kenny “Trill”, he really has impressed over the past two games against a pair of Mississippi schools. So, which Kenny Hill will step out onto the field Saturday afternoon, the one from Arkansas weekend or the one most recently. If Hill wants to pull up the upset, he will have to play spot on a take a “step” or two from his former mentor. Hill better be ready to throw outside the pocket on Saturday if he wants any success against Alabama’s front 7.
> Speedy Noil
The X:Factor: Alabama
> Lane Kiffin and his Play Calling
For the last two weeks, Alabama’s offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has been put on the hot seat for his offensive play calling and to be honest, for good reason. When coming to the capstone back in march, Kiffin was supposed to have some fantastic plays to run and to change up the bland found on the team. While he has found some success in earlier games, Kiffin has fallen back to his old ways and is now in question of why he isn’t running better plays. Sure, Coach Saban does have a say in the matter but in the end, he still has made far to many mistakes without it. This is the perfect week for Kiffin to bounce back and find his rhythm again. Expect a few tricks up his sleeve on Saturday as he prepares for a very week A&M defense.
The X-Factor: Texas A&M
> Josh Reynolds
Sure Speedy Noil was a receiver already mentioned but make no mistake, Josh Reynolds is the receiver to really keep your eye on this Saturday. While he may not have the most receptions, he does have over 400 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns. This has really been Kenny Hill’s favorite target to the end zone this season and why not, the 6-4 sophomore from San Antonio is killing it this season. The one thing Alabama has been able to do on defense is stop the top receiver and they probably will try that on Saturday too. Reynolds will have to work harder then ever to push up the field and try to score to break that record. If Reynolds can just get a shot, he will be a threat no to mess with.
Prediction
This is going to be another shootout, sorry to the Alabama fans who want it any other way, it wont be. Texas A&M under Kevin Sumlin is known for running up the scoreboard and Saturday will be no different. However, Alabama really has struggled but still managed to keep it close in their past 2 games. Meanwhile, Texas A&M has look very sluggish and really not up to par. The deciding factor is that Alabama is playing at home. One thing that’s certain is that the Crimson Tide are a different team at home then when away. Expect a win from the Crimson Tide, but don’t expect it to be pretty.
Final- Alabama, 45 Texas A&M 34
Cole Thompson is the Alabama Beat Reporter for WVUA-FM. Follow him on twitter at @ColeThompson32