RAPID REACTION: Alabama Holds on to Defeat Texas A&M

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It wasn't pretty, and the Crimson Tide had its fans scared for much of the contest, but Alabama escaped Bryant-Denny Stadium with a 31-20 win over the Texas A&M Aggies. With the Tide's win, it sets up an elimination game in Baton Rouge in two weeks when the Crimson Tide takes on the Tigers of LSU. Before that, though, both Alabama and LSU get a bye week to rest and game plan for the biggest game of either team's season. What are three rapid reactions from Alabama's 31-20 win over the Texas A&M Aggies?

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This Team is Losing Its Edge...Not What You Want to See Heading into Baton Rouge in 2 Weeks

Injuries, penalties, piss poor third-down efficiency, less than 70 rushing yards- this Alabama team has no identity right now. Where is the run game that had so much success early in the season? Where are the checkdowns and short or intermediate passes to help Keelon Russell get in rhythm? Alabama again converted less than 20% of its third downs against Texas A&M. The Tide came in with serious question marks on both sides of the ball, and those question marks got even worse as the team was riddled with injuries, suffering three more departures on Saturday: left guard William Sanders (injury), defensive tackle London Simmons (injury), and defensive back Red Morgan (targeting). The Crimson Tide is making dumb mistakes, with seven penalties, including simple ones that extended the Aggies' drives multiple times. The Crimson Tide has no edge right now, and that will cost them against a team that knows how not to shoot itself in the foot time and time again.

What is the Identity of the Offense?

Similarly to the first point, what is the identity of this football team? The Tide can't run the football (2.4 yards per carry), the receivers seem to be in no hurry to help Keelon Russell get comfortable, and Ryan Grubb called two passes over the middle of the field, with one delivering an explosive play for the Tide's offense (although the drive resulted in no points) and the other resulting in a five-yard score to give Alabama a 24-20 lead early in the fourth quarter. A sack and another late touchdown in the fourth gave the Crimson Tide the cushion it wanted, and needed, to defeat the Aggies, but watching Alabama play offense is like getting a root canal with no anesthesia, AKA, it's painful. Until late in the fourth quarter, Alabama had nothing going for it offensively. Then, and only then, did the Crimson Tide find limited success in the run game. Alabama's biggest plays came in the passing game, as quarterback Keelon Russell finished the day with 311 yards and three touchdowns.

Injuries are beyond a Major Concern...They're a Hindrance to the Roster

Injuries have become the Achilles heel of Alabama this season. A secondary that was already without Zabien Brown saw even more turmoil today, with Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. suspended and Red Morgan out due to a targeting penalty; the Crimson Tide was down to one Husky defender and three available cornerbacks. Alabama also came into the night without defensive lineman Terrance Green, with the Aggies collecting over 100 yards on the ground, despite the Crimson Tide winning. Injuries and inexperience will be the biggest hindrance for this Alabama team this season, and with how many injuries the Tide has, they're forced to play guys with little to no experience.

Alabama improves to 6-2 (4-2 in SEC play) in the 2026 season. The Crimson Tide will take a bye week next week before traveling to LSU to face the Tigers on Saturday, November 7.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.