Offense
Advantage: Texas A&M
Alabama leads the SEC in scoring at 45.4 points per game, but that includes a lot of defensive and special teams touchdowns. The Aggies average 40.2 points per game but have an edge of about 33 yards per game in total offense. Trevor Knight has already amassed better than 2,000 combined passing and rushing yards in six games.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama's defense turns turnovers into points. The Crimson Tide is yielding just 15 points and 274 yards per game and is tough against the run and tougher on quarterbacks. Texas A&M is giving up only 19.2 points per outing, but ranks 12th in the SEC in total defense while allowing 437.5 yards per game.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama's Eddie Jackson is the leading punt returner in the SEC, averaging 33.1 yards per return with two returns for touchdowns. Behind JK Scott, Alabama has the edge in punting average by a few yards. Texas A&M's Daniel LaCamera has made 12 of 16 field goal attempts and the Aggies are strong on kickoffs.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin has the Aggies in the top 10 and undefeated. Texas A&M has won eight or more games every year under him with a tough SEC West schedule. That's good, but Nick Saban's track record is the best in the nation with his run of national titles.
Intangibles
Advantage: Alabama
There isn't a better program in college football than Alabama. While Notre Dame and Texas and others seem to rise and fall, the Crimson Tide hasn't faltered. This team has all the ingredients to contend for another crown, but has to survive this tough stretch of the schedule to do it again.
Prediction:
Alabama 31, Texas A&M 21
This could turn into a shootout where the teams swap big plays. Texas A&M will challenge UA with a mobile quarterback, lots of speed and a strong pass rush. Alabama seems to be establishing its running game and has a lot of team speed of its own. Right now, the Crimson Tide is on a roll.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 35, Texas A&M 17
Alabama returns to the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium against a formidable opponent in Texas A&M. This will be one the toughest tests the Crimson Tide have faced to date, but in the end, Alabama’s defense will prove to be too much for the Aggies.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 35, TAMU 21
Alabama is starting to come together this season and play all four quarters. The Tide earned itself a big win over Tennessee but it must battle through to the Aggies this week. Hopefully playing at home will help the Tide keep its momentum but I can foresee Alabama looking struggling early on.
Drew Hill
Alabama 37, Texas A&M 21
Texas A&M will get pressure on Jalen Hurts in the game, and that might lead to a couple of turnovers by Alabama's offense. It won't be enough to stop Alabama from winning by two or more touchdowns. If Tennessee was was able to shred Texas A&M for 29 first downs and 684 yards, The Crimson tide should do the same.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 34, Texas A&M 24
If the choice is between 'blowout' and 'good game' then I would lean to 'good game.' A&M is unpredictable but talented, sort of the Russell Westbrook of the SEC. But I will stick with the LeBron.
Ben Jones
Alabama 41, Texas A&M 31
The Aggies are a different team than the last two squads that were picked apart by Alabama and should have plenty of confidence. Big plays and turnovers should decide this. Texas A&M makes plenty of the former, but Alabama forces enough of the latter to make the difference.
Michael Southern
Alabama 37, Texas A&M 24
Trevor Knight is the only active college quarterback that has started against Alabama and not lost. His mobility and the Texas A&M receivers will challenge the Alabama defense. If the Tide continues its unbelievable knack for non-offensive touchdowns and the offense stays out of third-and-long situations Alabama will head into the bye week unscathed.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 38, Texas A&M 21
The last time the Aggies were in Tuscaloosa it wasn't pretty. It won't be a repeat of that 59-0 rout by the Crimson Tide, but at the end of the game Texas A&M will come to the same realization every other team does - they are not on Alabama's level.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 45, Texas A&M 28
Alabama is averaging about 45 points a game. I don't get the sense that Texas A&M will be able to run the ball effectively so they'll be forced to pass and will put up some yardage.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 38, Texas A&M 24
Alabama’s offense clicked last weekend against Tennessee. If it can produce numbers even remotely close to what it did against the Vols, the Crimson Tide is set. The only thing Alabama needs to worry about is containing Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight and running back Trayveon Williams, but the defense should have it handled.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 61, Texas A&M 33
Alabama plays some of its best football in big games and that continues this weekend against the Aggies.
