Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher might have gotten the best of Alabama football and Nick Saban last year, but doing it two years in a row won’t be easy.
Teams don’t really beat Alabama football in consecutive seasons. Saban has only lost 25 games in his previous 15 seasons. Of those 23 losses before 2021, Alabama got a rematch the next season with 15 of those teams, with the Crimson Tide winning 13 of them. That’s just two losses in consecutive seasons during Saban’s entire tenure in Tuscaloosa.
Texas A&M isn’t exactly in a prime spot to be the third team to accomplish that feat. Fisher’s team has already lost two games this season, one to Appalachian State and one to Mississippi State last Saturday.
Then again, that didn’t matter in 2021. Texas A&M still beat Alabama, even after losing both games before the Crimson Tide reached College Station, Texas.
If Bryce Young doesn’t play, that certainly helps the Aggies’ chances. But even his absence might not be enough to help bridge the gap between the two shows.
No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) will take on Texas A&M (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday (7 pm, CBS) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Here is our scouting report and score prediction for the game:
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Aggies offense one of the worst in the conference
By various measures, this Texas A&M offense is not doing well.
The Aggies are averaging 334.4 yards per game, last in the conference. In the air, they trail only Vanderbilt with 205.4 yards per game. Running, Texas A&M is 12th (129 yards per game).
Overall, the Aggies are scoring 21.8 points per game, which ranks 108th in the country and last in the SEC.
It doesn’t help Texas A&M that senior wide receiver Ainias Smith is out for the season. The Aggies’ leading receiver caught 15 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns before his season ended with injury.
His absence will be felt against Alabama, in particular. Smith caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns a year ago against the Crimson Tide.
However, running back Devon Achane will have to be a focus. He is third in the SEC with 466 yards. He’s also averaging 5.75 yards per carry and has rushed for three touchdowns.
“This guy is a very, very talented guy,” Saban said.
Who’s playing quarterback?
Texas A&M also has uncertainty at this position heading into the game due to injuries. Starter Max Johnson, who replaced Haynes King on the bench, hurt his hand in the loss to Mississippi State. King stepped back and went 6-for-13 for 49 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
The quarterback game hasn’t been a strong point for the Aggies this season, and that situation was only made worse by Johnson suffering an injury.
Another option could be freshman Connor Weigman, a five-star quarterback in the class of 2022.
Johnson considers himself day-to-day, Fisher said Monday.
Texas A&M defense best against the pass
The Aggies defense is in a more favorable spot nationally than the offense.
Texas A&M is allowing 16.6 points per game, ranking 22nd in the country. Passing defense is No. 30 (188.4 yards per game) but rushing defense ranks No. 97 (170.2 yards per game).
“His secondary is good,” Saban said. “They’re big, they’re physical, they’re very athletic. In the corners, they’re long. They have good size, they attack well.”
The Aggies’ defense pairs well with Alabama, which has the No. 7 rushing offense in the country (251.4 yards per game). The running game will need to click if Young can’t play.
Score Prediction
Alabama 34, Texas A&M 13: Texas A&M might have taken advantage of Alabama on the road last year, but the Crimson Tide won’t be as vulnerable at home. No matter who starts at Alabama’s quarterback, Texas A&M doesn’t have enough offensive power to do anything against the Crimson Tide defense.