Saturday was supposed to be a get-right game for No. 13 Alabama with a struggling Texas A&M team visiting Tuscaloosa. After 1 half, the Crimson Tide and Aggies are tied at 17-17.
The game looked to be heading for a blowout early as Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed was struggling. A&M’s first two drives ended in Reed interceptions, including a pick-6 that put Alabama on the board 7-0 with 11:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Mike Elko‘s squad, however, successfully weathered the storm. The 7-0 advantage was the largest difference in the first half. The 6 scores in the 1st half (4 touchdowns, 2 field goals) have alternated between the two teams, resulting in the 17-17 tie.
It’s a surprising score out of Tuscaloosa. Alabama was more than a 2-touchdown home favorite in the game. The Tide are feeling pressure to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive after suffering back-to-back losses to Georgia and Tennessee. Texas A&M entered Saturday’s clash of former SEC West teams with a 4-3 overall record and 1-3 mark in conference play, going 0-2 in both SEC road games at LSU and at Mizzou.
Keelon Russell is 10-of-19 for 161 yards and 1 touchdown, but also 1 interception. Reed is 9-of-13 for 109 yards with 1 touchdown and the aforementioned 2 picks.
A&M has run the ball 20 times for a total of 65 yards. Alabama has just 25 yards on the groun on 11 attempts.
Alabama is just 1-of-6 on 3rd down to start the game, while A&M is 2-of-4. Time of possession favors A&M slightly, 16:46 to 13:14.
The game is airing on ABC.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
