Let’s dive into a statistical comparison between the Texas Aggies and Alabama football based on key team stats with both teams having played three games.
Alabama football fans know games are not won on paper. That does not mean reviewing comparative team stats provides no insight. Let’s jump in despite knowing three games is a very small sample size.
The Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) is ranked No. 1 in all polls. The Aggies (2-1) are ranked at No. 22 in the AP and Coaches polls. Per SBRodds.com the game opened with Alabama football favored by 23.5 points. It has crept up since and as of Monday evening, most books had the Tide a 27-point favorite.
First a quick review of the competition both teams have faced, with the ESPN, FPI ranking for each. Alabama football has played Louisville (68), Arkansas State (77) and Ole Miss (41). Don’t shoot the messenger on the FPI. ESPN clearly has Ole Miss rated too high, The Aggies have beaten Northwestern State (FCS) and Louisana-Monroe (111), plus a close loss to Clemson (6).
Key Team Stats
Ratings are based on all 130 FBS teams. All stats provided by ESPN.
Team Total Yards Offense
- Texas A&M; No. 6; 1,789 yards – Alabama; No. 14 (tie); 1,634 yards
Total Passing Yards
- Texas A&M; No. 21; 934 yards – Alabama; No. 22; 924 yards
Total Rushing Yards
- Texas A&M; No. 8 (tie); 855 yards – Alabama; No. 24; 710 yards
Total Points
- Alabama; No. 1; 170 points – Texas A&M; No. 18; 133 points
Offensive Efficiency
The scale is 0-100.
- Alabama; No. 1; 98.4 – Texas A&M; No. 23; 73.3
Total Yards Allowed Defense
- Alabama; No. 37 (tie); 907 yards – Texas A&M; No. 54 (tie); 992 yards
Total Passing Yards Allowed Defense
- Alabama; No. 68; 603 yards – Texas A&M; No. 95; 753 yards
Total Rushing Yards Allowed
- Texas A&M; No. 13; 239 yards – Alabama; No. 32; 304 yards
Total Points Allowed
- Alabama; No. 10; 28 points – Texas A&M; No. 26; 45 points
Defensive Efficiency
- Alabama; No. 1; 97.3 – Texas A&M; No. 60; 59.5
Special Teams Efficiency
- Texas A&M; No. 40; 67.3 – Alabama; No. 45; 65.2
Because of the small sample and, other than Clemson, the overall inferior opponents, these stats may mislead. Given the Crimson Tide has played so much of games with big leads, these stats probably do not adequately represent the explosiveness of the Alabama football offense.
The stats do indicate the Tide has an edge defensively. To consider the TAMU offense, it may be better to just look at the stats of the Clemson game.
Aggies quarterback, Kellen Mond had a huge game against Clemson. He passed for 430 yards. The SEC’s leading rusher in total yards on the season, Trayveon Williams, did not fare well against Clemson. Williams averaged only 1.8 yards-per-carry, 17 rushes for just 31 yards. Based on the Clemson game, the Crimson Tide must concentrate on containing the elusive Mond.
Even being coachspeak, Nick Saban is correct, TAMU is the best opponent so far this season. The Aggies are difficult to assess but it is fair to say Jimbo has made them better quickly.