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Positional Preview: Texas A&M Football vs. Alabama

By Graham Harmon

Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Chantz Johnson (23) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) react to a play during the third quarter against New Mexico Lobos at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Chantz Johnson (23) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) react to a play during the third quarter against New Mexico Lobos at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Enai White, Texas A&M football DL
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Enai White (6) In action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas A&M Football vs. Alabama: Tide OL vs. Aggie Pass Rush

As I mentioned in the full team preview, this is, in my opinion, the most glaring mismatch of the game. Here’s what I said in the previous article:

"Even so, you may well say that (the pass rush success that Texas A&M football had against Auburn and Arkansas) is unlikely to be repeated against the Tide; those numbers are nigh unthinkable for three games in a row. This is true as far as it goes, but I would point out that even after the wreckage wrought upon them by the Aggie defensive line, both Arkansas and Auburn still rank better than the Tide in sacks allowed per game—Auburn averages 3 sacks allowed per game and Arkansas averages 3.6 sacks allowed per game, while Alabama averages 4 sacks allowed per game."

I went on to mention how the sack rate numbers—basically, the percentage of dropbacks where an offense allows or defense accrues a sack—also deeply disfavor the Tide. Alabama is second-worst in FBS and rock bottom in the Power 5 when it comes to sack rate allowed, and the Aggies have an iron grip on the best sack rate on the defensive side.

It should be frightening for any Alabama fan to consider the notion that Auburn and Arkansas, even following performances where each gave up huge numbers of sacks and TFLs to the Aggies, still rank better in sack rate allowed and total sacks allowed than the Tide do up until this point.

Milroe does bring an ability to escape the pocket and pick up yardage with his legs, true. But with as dominant of a front as the Aggies have, and the discipline they’ve shown against similarly talented rushing quarterbacks such as KJ Jefferson, this may end up being much less of a factor. If the Aggie defensive line is simply crumpling the pocket on each play and not allowing Milroe those rush lanes, then his legs won’t be as useful.

Advantage Score: Texas A&M football by 5