Aggies will have hands full with Tide
GAME OF THE WEEK TEXAS A&M AT ALABAMA
When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: CBS
Air Aggies: In nearly being upset by Vanderbilt to start its season, Texas A&M had little to offer in terms of big-play threats through the air. Only one pass play for more than 25 yards and none went for 30; the Aggies are one of just six teams that have played at least once to not produce a 30-yard completion.
Punch it in: In Jimbo Fisher’s first two games against Alabama as Texas A&M’s coach, the Aggies settled for a 31-yard field goal and two 32-yard field goals. Both games were decided by 19 or more points, thus four points here and there may not have made a big difference, but then optimism of a large crew of returning starters gives the Aggies optimism for a more competitive game.
If that dream comes true, the difference between seven points and three could plausibly be the difference between a win and loss, or at least maintaining a chance at winning as long as possible.
Keys for Alabama
Stop Spiller: Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller gained 117 yards on just eight carries against Vanderbilt, averaging 14.6 yards per rush. Alabama did a respectable job of containing Missouri’s Larry Rountree III (14 carries for 67 yards) but has a more challenging test with the sophomore ballcarrier.
Keep moving forward: The Aggies racked up 10 tackles for loss against Vanderbilt with only two sacks, meaning it stopped eight of Vanderbilt’s 36 runs behind the line of scrimmage. Avoiding a similar fate would go a long way for continuing Alabama/s streak of scoring 40 or more on the Aggies for what could be three years in a row.
Prediction
Alabama 34, Texas A&M 13: One game is not enough to speak in absolutes, but the Crimson Tide showed some of the explosive play potential it had last year. That and an improved defense should be more than enough to win.