Bold predictions for Texas A&M's difficult trip to Tuscaloosa vs. Alabama
Marcel Reed plays the entire game
In any other situation, this would be the furthest thing from a bold prediction— but given how things are shaping up this year, I think fans are split down the middle on this question. Reed has had a tough year so far, and many of the Aggie faithful are ready to see a change— with some considering it all but inevitable.
I think Reed comes out and has his best road performance of the season against the Tide. He's faced down intimidating road environments before and excelled— just not so much this year. I think he comes out and plays as well as he has at any point this season in this prove-it game for the Aggies.
The Aggies do not turn the ball over
A&M has turned the ball over twice in both of their road games so far this year, ending with a -1 margin in each game away from Kyle Field. All four of those giveaways were interceptions on the part of Marcel Reed, though at least one was not his fault.
Turnovers were far from the only thing that cost A&M the games against Missouri and LSU, but they certainly didn't help. The Aggies absolutely have to keep a clean sheet here if they want to have any hope of winning.
KJ Edwards ends with more than five yards per carry
In a sense, this is not a very bold prediction, as Edwards has averaged more than five yards per carry in every game except for one this year. Of course, that's the most recent game: Edwards averaged only 3.3 yards per carry against Missouri on 6 tries.
I think that Edwards will not only receive more touches in this one than he did against the Tigers, but that he will have far more success. The Tide are one of the best teams in the country in limiting opposing run games, but Tennessee found something against them last week that I think the Aggies can replicate with Edwards.
The Aggies record their most sacks in a game thus far this season
If there's an Achilles Heel for the Tide, it's allowing pressure to get home against Keelon Russell. If there's an Achilles Heel for the Aggie defense, it's an inability to create pressure. That is a bad-on-bad matchup, in other words, but I think it ends up favoring the Ags.
A&M has had to face a lot of max protection in games so far this year, but I think Mike Elko will do a good enough job in the down-and-distance game to force a few obvious passing situations— and that's where his pressure packages will shine. Guys like Austin Simmons have excelled at getting the ball out quickly (if inaccurately) against those packages, but Russell holds on to the ball for way too long— and I think that means A&M's pressure gets home.
A&M snags two turnovers
This goes hand in hand with the previous prediction, but I think the pressure A&M puts on the quarterback means that they'll pick up a pair of turnovers. I foresee these being interceptions off of pressure up front, but we could also see a forced fumble or two for the Ags.
If A&M ends with a +2 turnover margin, then they'll be right in the middle of this game. That's a big if, as they have yet to do that after game two this year where they were +3, but I think we see them pull it off in Tuscaloosa.
Add us as a preferred source on Google