Texas A&M Football: Evaluating Aggies’ Game 4-6 opponents in 2022

10/8 Alabama @ Bryant-Denny Stadium

The game everyone is waiting on.

What should have been the decider for the West last year didn’t end up being that. But man did this game live up to the hype it had before the two losses by Texas A&M. Just like most years, Alabama will be just as good as they were last year as they are reloading their positions. If anyone has learned anything about Nick Saban is when you give him a loss he usually doesn’t repeat the same mistake the next year.

Alabama will potentially have challenges early on but will be shocked at anything other than an 5-0 start, as they will have to go to Austin to play Texas in Week 2 and to Fayetteville to play Arkansas in Week 5. So they will be well tested and so will Texas A&M by the time this game comes around. I am expecting a prime-time game with College GameDay potentially being there as these two teams will both be in the top-5.

Players to Watch:

Bryce Young QB #9 2021 Stats (4872 Passing Yards, 47 TDs, 7 INTs)

Cameron Latu TE #81 2021 Stats (410 Receiving Yards, 8 TDs, 15.77 Yards per Catch)

Henry To’o To’o LB #10 2021 Stats (112 Total Tackles, 8 TFL, 4 Sacks)

Analysis:

Just like every year Alabama is losing a lot of talent to the draft. Their WR1, WR2, and RB1 who combined 4000+ yards last year are all gone. Left tackle Evan Neal is also gone but everyone else from the line should remain the same for now. So their 5-star players on the bench will have to step up.

This should be A&Ms toughest game by far and I believe Nick Saban has this game circled from last year. If Jimbo wants to prove that A&M has arrived these are the games that you are going to have to win. Alabama does not lose SEC games often in the regular season so if A&M loses their chance to go to Atlanta for the first time take a body blow.

To beat this Alabama team it will take a perfect playbook and some luck. I think if you attack the freshman LT early and often to rattle him A&M should start piling on sacks like they did last year against Alabama. Bryce Young is not much of a runner so they do not have to worry about that too much but as you saw last year when the pressure starts becoming consistent he seems to panic.

To counter this look for Alabama to run sweeps, quick passes, and rollouts to the right side to avoid having to rely on the likely freshman lineman to hold up whoever Jimbo matches on him. Though Alabama reloads well they will need to have development for their WRs who underperformed in the championship. If A&M can shake them early as well, it may be a long day for their offense.

Turnovers will be another important item A&M will focus on. Most of Alabama’s happen when they lose the turnover battle. Like last year, A&M needs to capitalize when they create turnovers by getting some points on the board. Special teams will also have to make plays happen by giving the offense good field position or even better TDs. Ainias Smith will be one of the best return men in the country and he will need to put it on full display this game.

Unfortunately knowing Saban’s track record with playing a team the next year after suffering a loss I do not think A&M pulls this one out. I believe it will be a very competitive game that likely comes down to the last few minutes of the 4th quarter again. I hope I am wrong.

Prediction: Alabama 31-28 (Texas A&M 5-1)