Alabama vs Texas A&M: Kickoff Time, Weather, Where To Watch And More
By Tony Breland
No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies (5-2) vs. No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1)
Date: October 18, 2014
Time: 2:30 PM CDT
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Local Weather at Kickoff: Mostly sunny and 74 degrees with humidity at 42%.
Stadium Capacity: 101,821
Television Information: CBS
Broadcast Crew: Verne Lundquist as Play-by-Play announcer, Gary Danielson as color analyst, and Allie LaForce as sideline reporter.
Radio Info: Crimson Tide Sports Network. Eli Gold as Play-by-Play announcer, Phil Savage as color analyst, and Chris Stewart as sideline reporter.
Vegas Odds: (via Bovada) Alabama (-13)
Next up for Alabama: October 25 vs. Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
Game Notes
Last meeting between these two teams: 2013 (Alabama won 49-42). Alabama leads series 4-2. Prior to the Aggies joining the SEC, the last time these teams faced resulted in a 30-10 victory for coach Bill Curry over A&M coach and former Alabama player Jackie Sherill.
Week Three Recap
The Crimson Tide
Alabama on as ugly as could be last week against the Arkansas Razorbacks, but Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said he was proud of the way his team had faced adversity and gutted out a win. Still, Alabama has problems that need to be addressed. Procedural penalties are a big problem that must be corrected, and the stagnant offense must put points on the board to be able to keep up with another high-powered A&M squad.
The Texas A&M Aggies
Anyone expecting a drop off after the departure of Johnny Manziel has been amazed by the performance of sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill. Through seven games Hill is averaging more passing yards than Manziel did in either of his two seasons as the Aggies QB.
A&M went 0-for the state of Mississippi, however, and if their offensive fireworks can be slowed down, they can be scored on. The key to stopping Texas A&M will be winning the turnover battle and putting up points.
Key Injuries
Alabama
Denzell Devall, Kenyan Drake and Ryan Kelly are out. Grant Hill is questionable, and Tyren Hill is questionable but may see action.
Texas A&M
A.J. Hilliard is out. Malcome Kennedy is questionable.
Conclusion
Alabama has split their last two games against the Aggies. Both were shootouts, with Alabama being forced into passing early and often just to keep up. This season the Tide is still trying to find its offensive identity, and will be tested less by the A&M defense and more by its own ability to keep up with the Aggies potent passing game.
Blake Sims needs to stay focused and not make mistakes under pressure, and the offensive gameplan must involve finding creative ways to get Amari Cooper the ball.
The Tide defense is making slow progress as the season unfolds, and they must pressure Kenny Hill to keep him off balance, and help get their own offense back on the field.
As noted before, penalties and turnovers have been a killer for Alabama all season. Now is the time for Alabama to show up and play smart, focused football with a home crowd cheering them on. A win here keeps the Tide in the hunt, with an outside shot at the SEC Western Division crown, a berth in the SEC Championship game, and possibly even more.
Be sure to check back with Bama Hammer and The Houndztooth for all of your game day coverage.