Be Bold: Why Kyle Allen's game against Alabama was an anomaly

There could have been various reactions when Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen referenced Peyton Manning and tweaked the media during Tuesday’s press conference.

Some might say he was blunt. Some might say he was brash. Some might say he was cocky.

I say that’s great.

The Good Book says the meek will inherit the Earth. But the playbook needs the bold to lead the offense.

Allen was bold on Tuesday. He showed up at the voluntary press conference to answer questions about his three-interception debacle in last Saturday’s 41-23 loss to Alabama.

“Why not?” Allen said to reporters. “You guys don’t scare me.”

Read that quote again. Now, high-five your nearest Aggie buddy and be encouraged that your quarterback has an attitude that would make Bucky Richardson proud.

Allen didn’t try to avoid questions or make excuses. He just made comparisons — to Manning.

“Peyton Manning threw picks on Sunday,” Allen said. "There’s going to be many more games and one game is not going to define a career.”

Still, some might be annoyed or offended that Allen would reference Manning, one of the greatest passers in NFL history. Not me.

In fact, I think he should have also referenced Johnny Manziel.

A three-interception game certainly didn’t define Manziel’s career. You do remember that LSU game, right?

Besides, Allen was no doubt repeating the words from Offensive Coordinator Jake Spavital.

“I told him after the game, 'You can't let this define you. It's not going to be the last time you throw three interceptions in a game.'” Spavital said. “And of course you don't want that to happen, you don't want to turn the ball over, but I told him on Sunday someone was going to throw three interceptions and sure enough Peyton Manning did.

"(Allen) takes it hard, it means a lot to him, but he's not going to dwell on it now. It's time to move on and correct the mistakes and get this offense back to where it should be."

Texas A&M’s offense should be averaging about 40 points and close to 500 yards per game — which it was before struggling against Alabama. Those numbers are legitimate goals with big-play threats like Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones on the field.

If Speedy Noil ever gets back in action consistently, A&M’s offense should be even more explosive.

That is, as long as Allen doesn’t try to do too much. He’s good enough to make plays without trying to force something that’s not there, which he admitted was an issue against Alabama.

“I think at the beginning of the game I was thinking I might have to play above and beyond a level I’ve ever played at,” Allen said. “As the game went on I started to learn it’s not like that. I just needed to play to my level and play within the system and stuff like that. There was a couple throws I forced. The first interception was forced. The second one just sailed on me a little bit. It’s just something I need learn to play within the system more and not try to force so much.”

Don’t forget how well Allen played in the two previous SEC games. He threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State. He passed for 358 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas.

Of course, those teams don’t have the talent, the defensive strength or the intimidating reputation that Alabama does.

Although Allen is 8-3 as an A&M starter, he must show the Alabama debacle was the exception and not the rule. He has to demonstrate he can excel in a high-pressure game. He must prove he isn’t a quarterback that will wilt in high-stakes games.

He’ll have that opportunity on Saturday at Ole Miss. A win keeps the Aggies' hopes to win the SEC West intact. A loss means they will likely finish no better than fourth in the division.

The Ole Miss defense isn’t as good as Alabama’s. Frankly, the Rebels have been poor in pass defense ever since star safety Tony Conner was lost to injury four weeks ago.

Alabama’s Jake Coker passed for 201 yards and three touchdowns against Ole Miss. Florida’s Will Grier passed for 271 yards and four touchdowns on the Rebels. Last week Memphis’ Paxton Lynch torched them for 384 yards and three touchdowns.

Allen needs to put up similar numbers.

He needs to prove he can make good decisions in a vital game. He needs to be accurate and make big plays. He needs to capitalize on the matchups he’ll get with his receivers and the Ole Miss corners. He needs to stay cool under the pressure that Ole Miss tackle Robert Nkemdiche is likely to apply if not sidelined by concussion symptoms.

He needs to learn from his mistakes. He needs to play with confidence. He needs to be bold.

I think he will.