Alabama football and the Texas Aggies play Saturday afternoon in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Check out the game predictions from the ‘Bama Hammer’ staff of writers.
Alabama football fans have heard the buzz about the Aggies since TAMU invested $75 million in Jimbo Fisher. The entire CFB world paid close attention to the Aggies’ near upset of Clemson early in the season.
In the Crimson Nation, the aforementioned buzz elicits no fear. Most Alabama football fans have no concern about beating the Aggies. Debates about the game have centered on can the Crimson Tide cover the spread or run up 50+ points again. Check out how the Bama Hammer staff believes the game will finish.
Bama Hammer Contributor, Chris Dodson
Texas A&M looks like the only big threat that Alabama will face until November. But looks can be deceiving.
Here’s an unbiased fact: Alabama is the only team in SEC ever to tack on 50+ in their first three games. You may say that those teams are on the low end of scale defensively and you are right. However, Alabama hasn’t shown any major signs of slowing down, especially in the first half. They’ve come to play each time. Alabama has earned the benefit of the doubt right now and there’s no reason to say they won’t put on 50+ against A&M.
Defensively, it’s a different story. Alabama has given up a lot more yardage than many are comfortable with. The scoreboard doesn’t reflect that, sure, but Texas A&M doesn’t make empty threats on offense either. Alabama cannot allow this to be a shootout if they hope to be 4-0.
Fortunately, I can’t see that happening. Alabama will roll out of Bryant-Denny Stadium unscathed. Prediction: Alabama will win 56-14.
Bama Hammer Contributor, Ronald Moody
Kellen Mond departs for the first time this season the cozy comforts of Kyle Field. The sensational sophomore’s brilliance exuded against Clemson throwing for 430 yards and three touchdowns.
With Treyveon Williams and the running game stymied by a stout Tide defense, the game falls on Mond’s shoulders. However, a rambunctious 100,000 plus at Bryant Denny Stadium will rattle Mond, Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies.
Saban’s masterful plan of playing two quarterbacks is the difference. Tua Tagovailoa’s dynamic quarterback play matched with Jalen Hurt’s improvements spell gloom and doom for Texas A&M.
Prediction: Tide rolls 59-7.
Bama Hammer Contributor, Jonathan Waldrop
Hey! ‘Bama might be challenged on Saturday! Not that any of us want to see that. If I had my druthers, we’d win 63-3 every game.
From the standpoint of watching the Tide play a team that’s playing pretty well on both sides of the ball, this could be a telling bellwether for the remainder of the season. How does this team play if the opponent keeps coming back and punching them in the mouth.
Coming into the season, I knew there were about 8 games that Alabama was/is going to own. The talent discrepancy and coaching is just too much. There were another 3 games that I felt could be possible coin-flippers and then one more that I didn’t know how it would go. This is that game.
Especially after the Clemson game, I really do not know what to make of Texas A&M under new head coach Jimbo Fisher. His quarterback, Kellen Mond, is playing with a ton of confidence to the tune of 824 passing yards, 6 TDs, no picks and 63 percent completion percentage. And if those stats don’t look overly impressive just go back and watch his second half against the Tigers. He’s onto something.
Still, that was in College Station and this is in Tuscaloosa where the Tide has won its last two meetings against the Aggies by a score of 92-14. I’m not saying things won’t be different this time around, but Nick Saban’s offense is all but unstoppable currently and his young defense is playing with a lot of confidence after last week’s game against Ole Miss. This is going to be a tougher task, but the Tide go to 4-0.
Prediction: Alabama 38 Texas A&M 20
Bama Hammer Lead Writer, Ronald Evans
The Aggies must deviate from the standard ‘how to beat the Tide’ plan. Aggies’ DC, Mike Elko cannot load the box to shut down the Alabama football rushing attack. His defense is too vulnerable against the pass. One key matchup will be can the Aggies get any QB pressure. They have not been good doing so this season.
As good as RB Trayveon Williams is, the Crimson Tide will focus on containing Kellen Mond. If the Tide can contain Mond and exert some pressure on him with five or fewer rushers, it will a long afternoon for the Aggies.
Mond can explode but Tua is more explosive. The Aggies will fight hard. It may even take some time to wear them down. In the end, it will be another Alabama football, not close, outcome.
Prediction Alabama 38 – TAMU 17
On Saturday, Jimbo will not make history as a former Saban assistant taking down the boss. He will make the TAMU program stronger, sooner rather than later.