Position-by-position edge: No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M
Taking a position-by-position look at Alabama vs. Texas A&M, here’s what to watch for in Saturday’s showdown between the Crimson Tide and the Aggies:
QUARTERBACK — Texas A&M: Jacob Coker is coming off one of the best games of his career last Saturday, when he completed 24 of 33 passes (a career-high 72.7 completion percentage) for a career-high 262 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in Alabama’s 27-14 victory over Arkansas. Coker has shown gradual improvement ever since he replaced Cooper Bateman in the Tide’s 43-37 home loss to Ole Miss on Sept. 19. But Coker’s Texas A&M counterpart, Kyle Allen, has been better. For the season, the Aggies sophomore has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,274 yards, 13 TDs and just 2 INTs. Coker has thrown for 1,238 yards, 11 TDs and 6 interceptions while completing nearly 60 percent of his passes. Coker has also rushed 28 times for 90 yards and 2 TDs, while Allen has run for 136 yards and 2 scores on 40 carries.
RUNNING BACKS — Alabama: Derrick Henry has been outstanding for Bama, ranking 2nd in the SEC in rushing touchdowns (10) and 4th in rushing yards (665). The sophomore has also scored at least a touchdown in a school-record 11 straight games. Kenyan Drake has been solid as the Tide’s No. 2 back, rushing for nearly 5 yards a carry and adding 13 catches for 178 yards and a score. Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s Tra Carson is 8th in the conference in rushing yards per game (86.0), and has also run for 4 TDs. The senior has also caught 11 passes for 100 yards and a score.
WIDE RECEIVERS, TIGHT END — Even: Both teams have outstanding freshman receivers — Christian Kirk for A&M and Calvin Ridley for Alabama. Kirk has 32 catches for 519 yards and 4 touchdowns and leads the SEC in receiving yards per game (103.8). The Aggies’ Josh Reynolds, who has the best yards-per-catch average in the conference (21.3), has added 18 receptions for 383 yards and 3 scores, and teammate Ricky-Seals Jones has made 15 grabs for 128 yards and a TD. Ridley, meanwhile, has 31 receptions for 385 yards and 3 TDs in one fewer game. Ridley has been stellar in his last two games, totaling 14 catches for 260 yards and 2 scores. With 25 grabs for 239 yards and two TDs, ArDarius Stewart has been a nice complement to Ridley. Plus, Tide tight end O.J. Howard has 16 catches for 200 yards, and senior Richard Mullaney, who shares the team lead with 3 receiving TDs, has added 19 receptions for 185 yards.
OFFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: The Aggies’ line has allowed A&M to run for 8 TDs and 4.7 yards per carry, which is tied for 6th in the SEC. Alabama is right behind in 8th, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. But the Tide is 5th in the conference with 13 rushing TDs. Bama is tied for 3rd in the league, allowing just 1.2 sacks per game while A&M is surrendering 2.6 sacks per contest to rank next-to-last in the SEC.
DEFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: The Tide is filled with run stoppers, while the Aggies boast excellent pass rushers. Bama is 1st in the conference and 4th in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 77.3 yards a game. The Tide is also tied for 1st in rushing touchdowns allowed (3). Meanwhile, Texas A&M is 10th in the SEC in rushing yards allowed per game (182.6) but leads the league in sacks per game (3.8) and is 2nd in sacks (19). Alabama is 5th in the league in sacks (16) and sacks per game (2.7). The Aggies’ Myles Garrett (9.5 tackles for loss) is 1st in the SEC and tied for 4th in the country with 7.5 sacks. Teammate Daeshon Hall (6.5 tackles for loss) has added 5 sacks. Jonathan Allen (3 pass breakups, 3 tackles for loss) leads Alabama with 3 sacks, while sophomore Da’Shawn Hand has added 2.
LINEBACKERS — Alabama: With 50 total tackles and 3 pass breakups, Alabama’s Reggie Ragland has been one of the SEC’s top linebackers this season. He has gotten help from fellow seniors Denzel Devall (14 total tackles, 4 QB hurries, 2 pass breakups and a sack), and Dillon Lee (11 total tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 QB hurry), juniors Reuben Foster (25 total tackles, 3 pass breakups) and Tim Williams (3.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks) and sophomores Rashaan Evans (2 sacks) and Shaun Dion Hamilton (17 total tackles, 1 QB hurry). Meanwhile, Shaan Washington (1 pass breakup, 1 QB hurry) leads A&M’s linebackers with 31 total tackles, followed by A.J. Hilliard (24 total tackles, 1 sack).
SECONDARY — Alabama: The Tide is 1st in the SEC in opponent’s passer rating (98.5) and is 2nd in passing yards allowed per game (187.2). Bama is also 2nd in the conference with 8 interceptions. Despite being 5th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (192.2), the Aggies are next-to-last in the SEC with just 3 INTs. Minkah Fitzpatrick has had a breakout freshman season for Alabama with 22 total tackles, 6 pass breakups, 2 sacks and a punt return for a touchdown. Fellow frosh Ronnie Harrison (6 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 QB hurry, 1 pass breakup) has also been a big contributor. Junior Eddie Jackson leads the Tide with 3 interceptions, including one pick-six. On the other side, Aggies sophomore Armani Watts has been a standout with 39 total tackles, and teammate Donovan Wilson, who has forced 3 fumbles, has added 29 total tackles, 2 picks and 2 sacks. Brandon Williams has chipped in with 15 total tackles and 4 pass breakups, and fellow senior De’Vante Harris had added 13 total tackles, 4 pass breakups and an interception.