Campus Clash
(22) Texas A&M Aggies at (1) Alabama Crimson Tide
TAMU: After the Clemson game just two weeks ago, they made me a believer of them for the future and they have the right guy there to help get this ship headed in the right direction in Jimbo Fisher. It’ll take some time, but getting started is better than nothing at all. When I sat down and watched their offense, I was impressed by the veteran savvy shown by quarterback Kellen Mond and he can spin the football when he throws it, that’s for certain. Their offense is actually ranked fifth in the nation and they average close to 600 yards a game so scoring points and being able to move the football down the field and the defense is also handling their business as well giving up 15 points a game. What hurts them is their pass defense and how they give up big plays down the field. Fans have every right to be excited about this team and why not? They’re ranked within the top 25, they have a ton of talented players on both sides of the football and they have a head coach who has this team playing hard. They dealt with one giant a few weeks ago, now they will see another one on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Alabama: I’ve watched a lot of Alabama Crimson Tide football over the years and each season, their teams have always been built the same way and that’s having a quarterback that was needed to just manage the game, a physical offensive line that can control yet dominate the line of scrimmage, a consistent running game (look at the backs they’ve sent to the NFL) and a defense that’s always been on top of their game as one of the best in the country. They have all of that and now, they have a quarterback that’s able to make plays with his feet and most importantly, his arm and at this point, you keep Tua Tagovailoa under center. He just fits what they want to do and he knows how to operate an offense. This has been the most explosive Tide offense that I’ve ever seen and they’ve scored 50 points in their first three games. By far, this is still the team to beat in college football. Thanks to the added dimension a successful downfield passing game gives the offense, the Crimson Tide offense has been scoring at an incredible rate (56.7 points/game; first in the nation). On defense, they may not be the bully they once were, but they are still getting the job done nonetheless. This won’t be an easy battle on Saturday afternoon.
Texas A&M Player To Watch: Jace Sternberger– He’s become one of Kellen’s top targets and why not? He’s a complete mismatch over the entire field and moves well in open space with the football in his hands. I look for him to be involved early on in the Aggies first offensive drive.
Alabama Player To Watch: Damien Harris– With the Aggies probably coming out defensively and doing everything they can to shut down Tua, this will open things up for Damien Harris. He’s a running back that can get between the tackles, bounce outside and has the breakaway speed to get to the first down marker and beyond.
Final Analysis: We have more SEC football on tap for you and when these two teams battle, it’s always interesting, to say the least. I’ll always remember when Johnny Manziel made his Heisman moment back in 2012 and beat the Tide. Since then, it’s been all Alabama in the series. It’ll be key for Kellen Mond to move the football down the field on this Bama defense and if he can do that, they have a shot and this game will be competitive. They need to play their game and get Trayveon Williams the football early on. This will be the best offense that the Tide’s defense will see on the young season. It will start with their front four trying to pressure Mond and not allowing him to buy time in the pocket or out of it.
Prediction: Alabama 45 Texas A&M 24
