It has been an eventful two weeks for Alabama as it has suffered back-to-back losses, slimming the Crimson Tide’s chances at a College Football Playoff spot.
After a home loss to Georgia followed by a disappointing performance on the road vs. Tennessee, Alabama must stay on track to prepare for Texas A&M coming to Tuscaloosa.
Texas A&M has had a shaky start to the year, sitting at 1-3 in the SEC and at the bottom of the pack overall. The Aggies are coming in with some momentum after shutting out The Citadel Bulldogs 41-0 in last week’s matchup.
In Texas A&M’s two games this season vs. ranked opponents, it has averaged six points per game and 206.5 yards. Head coach Mike Elko said after last week’s game that his team must start early to pull off a road upset against Alabama.
“As we’ve talked about trying to play our way out of this, it’s about trying to find ways to create early success and also our ability and need to react,” Elko said. “To get a win against a really good team on the road, you have to make big plays early, but you also have to overcome failures. … It takes three-and-a-half hours of battling the ebbs and flows.”
Alabama’s defense has had its ups and downs throughout the season. On one hand, it has been forcing 2.3 takeaways a game, which puts it at sixth in the country.
When it isn’t turning teams over, though, Alabama’s defense has been very susceptible to explosive plays, which is something defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has admitted and says cannot happen after the Tennessee matchup.
“We’ve done a nice job improving our screens, but we had four times that we did not execute well in those situations and gave up two explosives, one being that fourth-quarter drive on a first-and-19. It just cannot happen,” Wommack said.
Texas A&M this year has not been known for being explosive, only averaging 4.6 yards per play, which ranks 124th in the country.
Quarterback Marcel Reed has not performed to the level people expected up to this point, but Alabama’s defense must still come prepared to face off against Reed, who has the ability to hurt them in the air and, most importantly, with his legs.
Reed has the second-most carries on the team and faces an Alabama run defense ranked 16th in the country, allowing only 3.1 yards per rush. The Aggies will have to rely on explosive playmaking to break down the Alabama defense.
On the offense side of things, Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell possesses an amazing ability to attack teams with his dual threat. Elko touched on Russell’s dynamic ability coming into this week.
“Really special player. Obviously, familiar with him all the way back to recruiting,” Elko said. “He’s having a really special year and can attack you in a variety of ways. He has been a really huge weapon for them this year.”
Even with all the struggles offensively for Alabama coming into this matchup, it still has managed to stay in the top five in points per game with 39.3. There have been flashes of great potential, but a lack of consistency has haunted the Crimson Tide in big games.
Both Alabama and Texas A&M will need their quarterbacks to step up on the right track again.
Saturday in Tuscaloosa will be a test of perseverance as the Aggies and the Crimson Tide clash in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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