The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 SEC) will host No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies (6-0, 4-0 SEC) this afternoon inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in a clash of the SEC’s remaining unbeaten teams.
Alabama is coming off a convincing 49-10 win on the road over Tennessee, while the Aggies are fresh off their bye week, also facing the Vols and winning the week before.
This is a critical game for both teams, as it will set the tone for the remainder of the season in the SEC and national title hunts.
The loser of this game will need a lot of help to get to the SEC championship game with only three conference games left after this week. The winner of this game will be in the drivers seat for the SEC West championship and for a spot in the college football playoff.
Both teams come into this game fairly healthy.
However, Alabama comes into this game with no rest as this will be the eighth straight week they have played without a bye week. Texas A&M comes into this game much fresher after having a bye last week.
Both teams have very good offenses and rank high in most statistical categories. The difference comes on defense where Texas A&M has some question marks, which seems to be an unfortunate hallmark for the Aggies.
They are ranked 98th in total defense and 109th in pass defense. However, they do a much better job limiting teams on the scoreboard where they are ranked 22nd allowing 19.2 points per game. This will be the ultimate key for Texas A&M, as they must limit the damage when the Tide visits the red zone and that should be fairly often.
When watching this game, look for Aggies’ edge rusher Myles Garrett to get to Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts a couple of times, but the Alabama rushing game is too strong and will allow Hurts to be efficient passing the ball.
Alabama will play time of possession, and will attempt to keep the potent Aggie offense on the sideline for a majority of the game.
The Alabama defense has been awesome the last few weeks, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they keep the non-offensive touchdown streak going against the Aggies.
My prediction is once again, ROLL TIDE – Alabama 48, Texas A&M 24.