By the time the dust settles on Kyle Field after Alabama’s visit to face Texas A&M on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS), we’ll be a little closer to knowing how the SEC West race will shake out on the march to the Georgia Dome.

And chances are, some of the youngest players at both schools will go a long way towards determining the winner.

Texas A&M has 10 freshmen or redshirt freshmen on its official depth chart for this game, while Alabama has 20 such players, though they list a few more players overall than do the Aggies.

With that much youth up and down the roster, here are a few freshmen to keep an eye on when these teams meet this weekend:

1. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M — The Arizona native has been spectacular in his first college season, hauling in 32 passes for 519 yards and four touchdowns, which are all team highs and are at or near the top of the conference rankings as well. If that wasn’t enough, he’s leading the nation in punt return average (27.1 yards per return) and has already returned one for a score this season.

He’s caught no fewer than four passes in any game, and has eight in both of his SEC contests. Since he’s the target on almost 29 percent of all Aggie passing plays, he figures to get plenty of looks against the Crimson Tide.

2. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama — Though he hasn’t had quite as much fanfare as Kirk, the Florida product is having a fine debut season in his own right. He leads the Tide with 31 receptions for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also growing in confidence, picking up at least 260 receiving yards and two scores in the last two games.

3. Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&M — Mack is part of a talented defensive line rotation for the Aggies — a team that ranks in the top 10 nationally in sacks (19). The Texas native has 15 tackles and four tackles for loss from his tackle spot. His production, along with the other players in the rotation, frees up space for Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall to get after opposing quarterbacks.

4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama — The former five-star recruit from New Jersey has made quite an impression in his short time in Tuscaloosa, winning the starting “STAR” or nickel back job. He’s got 22 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks on the season, and he’s a playmaker on special teams as well. Two weeks ago, he blocked a Georgia punt just before halftime, scoring the touchdown that opened the flood gates for an eventual rout.

And he’s earning the trust of Nick Saban, which for a defensive back is no easy feat.

“Minkah’s done a really good job for us,” Saban said. “He’s a good player. He’s only going to get better and better and better as he gets more experience. The more reps he gets and the more recognition he has, I think he has a really good ability to make plays. He’s very instinctive, and we’re excited about where he is, and we’re hopeful that he’s going to continue to improve and continue to develop and be a real sort of staple in our defense.”

Playing against an “Air Raid” team in Texas A&M, he figures to get a chance to live up to that praise come Saturday.