The Alabama Crimson Tide returns to the SEC road on Saturday with a trip to College Station. Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies are in a bad place, no longer ranked in the polls and at 0-2 in the SEC. An upset Saturday could turn the season around for the Aggies’ program that has a history of more ambition than accomplishment.
For months this game was tabbed as the most likely contest to determine the winner of the SEC West. While the game has lost all of that luster, it remains quite important for both teams. As an always in National Championship contention, elite team, every game is important for Alabama. For Jimbo and the Aggies, Saturday’s game is the firewall. Another loss and the Aggies will drop to not only 0-3 in the SEC, but to a dismal 3-3 overall, with wins against Kent State, Colorado and New Mexico. Those three teams are a combined 5-10 on the season, with three of the wins over FCS teams, Houston Baptist, Northern Colorado and Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Trouble was evident early for Jimbo Fisher’s offense when it struggled to beat now 1-4, Colorado by a score of 10-7. That was the game when Aggies’ starting quarterback, Haynes King was lost to injury. His replacement, Zach Calzada is yet to deliver a consistent performance.
Alabama vs. Texas A&M Odds
According to WynnBET the Crimson Tide is an 18-point favorite over the Aggies. That is a lot of points for an SEC road team and the Aggies are a good defensive team. The over-under set at 53 points is largely driven by respect for the Aggies’ defense and little respect for Jimbo Fisher’s offense.
WynnBet Promo: Bet $1, Win $100 if any NFL or college team scores. Claim offer now.
Alabama vs. Texas A&M Game Prediction
The Aggies came close to remaining a ranked team after the loss to Mississippi State. Based on published votes, the Aggies were No. 26 in the Coaches Poll and No. 27 in the AP Poll.
The power running attack Bill O’Brien and Nick Saban chose to beat Ole Miss will face a much stiffer defensive front from the Aggies. The Aggies defense is statistically below average among FBS teams, but it allows only 3.83 yards-per-carry. Not impressive stats are somewhat because Mike Elko’s defense is on the field more than the average of top FBS teams. Most of that comes from Jimbo’s offense being No. 86 in the FBS in Time of Possession.
Elko’s defense is physical and it will provide a test for the Alabama offensive line. Even with a disappointing record, crowd fervor and noise will be a factor. Bill O’Brien will again take what the defense gives him and that should not be ‘ground and pound.’ On the flip side, nothing the Aggies have shown, other than their running game, should threaten the Alabama defense.
Will the Tide be a tad flat after the Ole Miss win? Will an embattled group of Aggies play over their heads? For an early prediction, the spread feels high and while Alabama will win, it may not cover.
Nick Saban will be primed to refute any and all ‘rat poison’ perspectives from the media this week. He will also heap praise on Jimbo and the Aggies.