Alabama head coach Nick Saban is often seen as a robotic figure who doesn’t have a care in the world for much joy or topics of interest outside the realm of a football gridiron. Considering they were 26.5-point underdogs to the Tide, it was a very good effort from the Aggies.
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Texas A&M entered Saturday’s game as the Southeastern Conference leader with 20 sacks, and the Crimson Tide line struggled to slow down the Aggies’ rush consistently.
Maligned throughout the season’s first three weeks for some poor pass protection and not finishing its blocks – a byproduct of what Tide coach Nick Saban labeled a lack of physicality – the Tide’s offensive line has cured whatever ailed it. “We’ve got a really great, talented front and we play a lot of great, talented fronts”.
“It’s certainly going to be a real challenge for us and test for us being a division game on the road”.
Saban didn’t really acknowledge whether Alabama would be doing anything to help, but he did share a personal story and lessons learned from it.
Texas A&M has sweated out two close Southeastern Conference wins. However, the run game and play selection (at times) was absolutely unacceptable.
The Crimson Tide rolled up 365 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 66-3 victory over MS last week.
Will the Crimson Tide’s domination continue? He was a backup to start last season when the Crimson Tide opened up in Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
The Crimson Tide defense stood its ground there before the Aggies’ Daniel LaCamera nailed a career-high 52-yard field goal.
Alabama is wary of Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk as both a receiver and a return man. Kirk burned the Tide for a 68-yard touchdown on a punt return two years ago. Damien Harris was the leading rusher for Alabama with 14 carries, 124 yards and a touchdown.
In fact, the Aggies’ strength may turn out to backfire against a player in Hurts who thrives outside the pocket. Here are three things we learned on Saturday night. “Not every game is going to be like that (previous five games)”.
Passing defense – C: At times, Alabama looked good against Kellen Mond, but the Tide allowed him three throws of more than 30 yards and another of 25.
Kevin Sumlin seems to always be on the hot seat, it’s been warmed up twice this season already but the Aggies are 4-1 and looking for a colossal upset here. “No”, Hurts said. “But we are happy that we can walk out here with a win”. “As we progress further into the season, he’s done a better and better job of just being a complete quarterback and hopefully we can keep that up”.
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However, you’ll understand if Saban, a known hater of complacency, left College Station feeling a little nauseous after his team almost blew a 24-3 lead in the second half.
