Staff Predictions for Alabama vs Texas A&M
The Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0) will meet the Texas A&M Aggies for the 10th time as the Crimson Tide will look to make it five straight victories over the Aggies since 2012.
Despite callings for head coach Kevin Sumlin's job after that comeback victory by UCLA in the season opener, the Aggies has blocked the noise and bounced back with four straight wins, two in the conference including a victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in College Station last weekend.
Two teams with dynamic offensive lead by two dual-threat quarterbacks look to get ahead in the SEC West. Here is who the Tide 102.9 staff has coming out of College Station with the victory.
Martin Houston, Host of The Blitz
This game could set up to be Bama's toughest yet! With it being Bama first real road test and Bama primed for a letdown. Despite one of the worse losses of the year, Sumlin has righted the Aggie ship. This game has marked the decline for the Aggies for 3 straight seasons and you can bet it starts it again. The Aggies may be better, but not good enough. Expect more of the same! Bama embarrassing another SEC opponent w/ a 4+ TD win. I'm going conservative, but believe it could be worse. Alabama 49 -Texas A&M 13.
Wimp Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room
Texas A&M has to be one of the worst tackling teams in the country. The Bama offense has found balance and is hitting on all cylinders. I look for this one to be over early. Alabama 44 - Texas A&M 10
Barry Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room
I think Bama is really a focused team away from home. This coaching staff seems to push the right buttons each week to have them mentally ready to play. I look for a solid effort in all three phases of the game. Alabama 38 - Texas A&M 13
Gary Harris, Host of The Gary Harris Show
Alabama outscored it's first two SEC opponents (Vandy and Ole Miss) by a combined score of 125-3. The dominance the Tide has shown so far in conference play is unparalleled. This week, the Tide will face Texas A&M in College Station. The Aggies are 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the SEC and haven't lost since the season opener against UCLA, when they blew a 34 point third quarter lead. A&M won't have to worry about blowing a lead in this game as the Aggies won't have one. Bama rolls again! Alabama 45 - Texas A&M 13
Travis Reier, Host of Southern Fried Sports
Given that the Aggies entered the week with a 4-1 record, the predicted margin for this game would seem a bit wide. Here's thinking, though, that Alabama, with its second-year starter at quarterback and a running game working at a bone-crushing pace, is much closer to being what its record says it is than is A&M, which hasn't exactly breezed past four subpar-to-average opponents. Alabama 42 - Texas A&M 14
Aaron Suttles, Host of The Suttles Approach
How much longer can Alabama continue to lay waste to opponents and betting lines? A road game is a good test to find out. Alabama 42 - Texas A&M 17
Ryan Fowler, Host of The Game
I am not convinced Texas A&M can present any challenges that can slow down the Crimson Tide. Texas A&M still has some problems on the offensive line and that is not a problem that you want to have against Alabama. Aggies will challenge Alabama in some areas, but not enough to beat the Crimson Tide. Alabama 45 - Texas A&M 17
Ben George, Digital Managing Editor
Another week, another four-touchdown point spread in favor of Alabama. On one hand, it feels foolish to believe Alabama won’t cover that number with the way the team has been playing. On the other hand, giving up 27 points to a Texas A&M team that can run the ball, has one of the best play makers in the conference in Christian Kirk, and gets a home game at night seems like a bad idea as well. The Crimson Tide appears to be finding its identity on both sides of the ball and should get off to another quick start against the Aggies, but Kevin Sumlin is fighting for his job and has a team that should be 5-0 if not for the total collapse against UCLA. Alabama will probably prove me wrong and win 56-6 but I can’t see it happening this weekend. Alabama 42 – Texas A&M 17
Josh Smith, Producer
With Alabama coming off back-to-back conference blowout victories, the Crimson Tide is expected to continue its domination at Kyle Field this weekend. Does the 2014 season instantly pop into anyone else’s mind? Back then Blake Sims was at the helm, accounting for three touchdowns in the air and one on a 43-yard dash. Alabama out gained Texas A&M 602 yards to 172. However, fast forward to last season’s game. The Crimson Tide powered through two Jalen Hurts interceptions to win 33-14. This season, the Aggies have held teams to 158.4 yards on the ground and 278.4 in the air. Even with the highly probable chance that during the second half Tua Tagovailoa will take snaps, I see Hurts playing similar to Sims in 2014. At the same time, the Crimson Tide’s stampeding herd of running backs are averaging the fourth best rushing yards per game nationally with 315.6. I predict Alabama will continue its tenacious command over conference opponents defeating Alabama 54 - Texas A&M 10.
Thomas Paradiso, Producer
After the last two beatdowns by the Tide, I'm not even sure what to put down for a score this week. Texas A&M has been shaky at best when starting games and with Alabama's offense continuing to roll, my main question is will Texas A&M's defense be ready for Jalen Hurts and this core of running backs? Personally, I don't think they are. Alabama 38 - Texas A&M 6
James Hardy, Producer
Alabama has rolled through Vandy and Ole Miss with little resistance to start SEC play with dominant play on offense, defense and special teams. Texas A&M provides some challenges especially with a player like Christian Kirk that can score from anywhere on the field. The big question for the Aggies though is how does freshman quarterback Kellen Mond react to the pressure that he is to experience against Alabama's defense? Alabama 39 - Texas A&M- 17
Marquis Munson, Producer
Two of the best run offenses in college football will collide in College Station. The Aggies will be lead by guys like Trayveon Williams with his 384 rushing yards and quarterback Kellen Mond with 1,060 total yards on offense and seven touchdowns. The Crimson Tide will have a tough time containing wide receiver Christian Kirk Jr. early on in the game, but I think with the defense finally finding momentum and even despite Da'Shawn Hands injury, the Tide get the job done at Kyle Field. Alabama 42 - Texas A&M- 16