This wasn’t the way Otaro Alaka wanted to start his senior season.

Texas A&M’s backup middle linebacker was tossed from the season opener against Northwestern State due to this hit after it was reviewed he lowered his head and led with his helmet to deliver this blow. The call on the field of targetting was upheld upon review.

With the Aggies short on middle linebackers heading into this one, Anthony Hines was held out due to injury — Jimbo Fisher said this week that Hines would return for next week’s Clemson game — depth in the middle of Mike Elko’s defense has quickly become an issue.