Skip to main content

Texas A&M-Alabama Preview Capsule

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

No. 6 Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at No. 1 Alabama (7-0, 4-0), 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

Line: Alabama by 18.

Series Record: Alabama leads 6-2

WHAT'S AT STAKE

It's a battle of the Southeastern Conference's two remaining unbeaten teams. The winner will have the inside track to a berth in the SEC championship game, presumably with a playoff shot on the line.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas A&M's ground game against Alabama's run defense. Strength against strength, with the Aggies leading the SEC and ranking seventh nationally in rushing offense behind freshman RB Trayveon Williams and QB Trevor Knight. The Crimson Tide has the nation's stingiest run defense and is allowing just 63.9 yards per game on the ground.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texas A&M: QB Trevor Knight has both rushed and passed for nine touchdowns and will need to make plays both ways against one of the nation's top defenses. He had a huge game for Oklahoma against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl as a freshman, earning MVP honors with 348 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Alabama: LB Reuben Foster is the Tide's leading tackler and could play a big role in trying to corral Knight and Williams. He's a hard-hitting, athletic and explosive 236-pounder.

FACTS & FIGURES

Alabama has won the last three meetings since falling to Johnny Manziel and the Aggies in their initial 2012 SEC showdown. The Tide's 59-0 victory on the Aggies' last visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium two years ago represents the program's largest margin against a ranked opponent. ... Coach Kevin Sumlin already has a Texas A&M-record three road wins over Top 10 opponents. Alabama is 23-6 against Top 10 teams since the start of the 2008 season. ... Texas A&M hasn't started a season 7-0 since 1994 or won its first five conference games since 1998. ... The Tide has scored touchdowns on special teams and/or defense in nine straight games, including 11 TDs already this season. ... The Aggies are 2-11 against No. 1 teams, but one of those wins came against `Bama.

---

The AP's college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.