Who has the edge: Alabama vs Texas A&M
Both Alabama and Texas A&M are top-10 teams heading into Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup. Which of the two holds the edge?
No changes made.
After this week, only one unbeaten team will remain in the SEC, as Texas A&M travels to Tuscaloosa to square off against Alabama in a top-ten matchup that is surprisingly one-sided according to the spread. After the Crimson Tide beat up Tennessee on the road last weekend, Alabama is nearly a three-touchdown favorite to defeat the Aggies.
Deservedly so.
Both squads feature exceptional offenses. Both quarterbacks have put up impressive passing performances, but the real damage from Trevor Knight and Jalen Hurts has come on the ground. The ground game for both teams has been borderline unstoppable so far, but both offenses also feature some of the nation’s top receivers. Both teams also are averaging over 40 points per game.
What really gives the Crimson Tide the edge in this game is their defense.
Alabama’s defense this season—as usual—is one of the best in the nation. For starters, players such as Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Tim Williams and Reuben Foster headline a front seven that induces nightmares for opposing offensive lines. The Crimson Tide lead the SEC in sacks with 27 and it isn’t a close race.
Moving into the secondary, while both squads have seven interceptions this season, Alabama sets itself apart from the rest of the field due to its amount of non-offensive touchdowns. The Crimson Tide have returned four interceptions for touchdowns and have collected a whopping 11 total touchdowns the offense isn’t responsible for. That’s as many as the next two teams have combined. To put a little more perspective, Alabama’s defense and special teams have outscored South Carolina’s offense this season.
And it’s not just one player having a freakishly good year, either. Seven of the 11 defensive starters have scored touchdowns, whether it be a Minkah Fitzpatrick pick-six or an Eddie Jackson punt return.
Not only can the Crimson Tide’s defense play offense, they can also (surprisingly) play defense. Alabama is No. 5 in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of only 274 yards per game. Even more bad news for A&M, a team that relies heavily on the run, Alabama is giving up 63.9 rushing yards per game so far this season.
The Crimson Tide can score so many ways it really isn’t fair. If the Aggies want to have any chance at all, their offense has to come out with guns blazing. Otherwise, A&M will be in store for a long ride back to College Station.
Edited by David Bradford
Featured image by Ken Lund
Matt is a sophomore journalism and electronic media major at the University of Tennessee. He enjoys watching any and all sports, and is an active member in the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. Follow him on twitter @mattraymond271
