TEXAS A&M VS. ALABAMA
Records: Texas A&M 4-1, 2-0 SEC; No. 1 Alabama 5-0, 2-0 Series history: Alabama leads 7-2.
Key players: Texas A&M — QB Kellen Mond, RB Trayveon Williams, LB Otaro Alaka; Alabama — QB Jalen Hurts, WR Calvin Ridley, CB Levi Wallace.
Who has the edge
Offense — Alabama. Hurts already was a household name in Houston while playing at Channelview, but it’s still amazing to see what he’s doing for the Tide, who’ve become an even scarier team with the sophomore at the controls of the offense. He’s third in the FBS in total QB rating, at 87.6, behind only Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield (93.3) and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph (88.3). Hurts leads the team in rushing (55-461, 4 TDs) and boasts a 156.8 QB rating, with 747 yards, six TDs and no INTs on 64-percent passing (57-of-89).
Defense — Alabama. Both units are among the FBS leaders in takeaways. Texas A&M has 12 (7 fumbles, 5 INTs) and Alabama 10 (2 fumbles, 8 INTs). They’re also solid against the run. Alabama is third in the FBS at 73.8 rushing yards per game, and A&M (95.8) is 15th. But the Tide are at another level on scoring defense, leading the country at 8.6 points per game. They’ve allowed only five TDs all year, and none the last two games. Special teams — Texas A&M. Christian Kirk — enough said. He’s one of the most dangerous return men in college football, averaging 30.2 yards on 10 kick returns, with one TD. Aggies K Daniel LaCamera is 9-of-11 on FGs. His 46-yarder against South Carolina started a string of 17 unanswered points by the Aggies to end the game. Alabama K Andy Pappanastos is 8-of-11 on FGs. He missed his only attempt against Mississippi from 40 yards, but JK Scott, who usually handles punts and kickoffs, hit a 48-yarder.
Notable: The Aggies haven’t beaten Alabama since coach Kevin Sumlin’s first season in 2012, when Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was the quarterback. That was a glorious win, with A&M rolling the Tide 2924, but Alabama has won the last four meetings, including 33-14 last season at Tuscaloosa.
About Texas A&M: The Aggies are improving on both sides of the ball, and with Mond’s growth empowering their wealth of playmakers at the skill spots, they’re not far behind Alabama offensively. They’re averaging 5.3 yards per rush and ranking 14th in rushing (255.6). Williams (66-384, 5
TDs) is the leading rusher. Mond is second with 252 yards and one TD on 51 rushes.
About Alabama: The Crimson Tide are a complete team and likely to return to the College Football Playoff. They’re producing twice as many yards (508.6) as they’re allowing (249.0) and they haven’t committed a single turnover this season. The Tide are fourth in rushing (315.6) and eighth in scoring (46.2). DB Ronnie Harrison leads the defense with 23 tackles, two sacks and two INTs.
WHEN: 6:15 P.M. SATURDAY WHERE: KYLE FIELD, COLLEGE STATION TV: ESPN RADIO: 97.5 FM