A&M faces true measure of the distance between Alabama and Aggieland
The quest of reaching Alabama can be attained with GPS, Google Maps or even an old-fashioned Rand McNally. But about three hours on Saturday at Bryant-Denney Stadium will better reveal how far — or how close — the Aggies really are on that quest.
No. 22 Texas A&M (2-1) travels to Tuscaloosa for a 2:30 p.m. clash with No. 1 Alabama, which has lost just once on its home turf since the Aggies upset anoter top-ranked Tide team 29-24 in 2012. Since then Alabama has posted 68 victories, won three national championships and has five straight wins over the Aggies.
And this Alabama team looks better — or at least more explosive than the previous editions. With sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and running back Damien Harris leading the way, Alabama is averaging 56.7 points to lead the nation in scoring offense.
“You always look for a challenge, and we know they are going to be outstanding, and we will have to play really well,” first-year A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “They have so many runners. And now with Tua and Jalen (Hurts) involved in the game, it makes it even tougher. It's going to be a challenge, and they bring a lot of pressure too. We'll have our hands full.”
Fisher was brought to College Station to bridge the football gap between A&M and coach Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. Up until two weeks ago that bridge seemed longer than the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Then A&M came within an eyelash from upsetting No. 2 Clemson. Suddenly, A&M’s national profile changed. That 28-26 near-miss against Clemson is the primary reason A&M is ranked.
Yet, the Aggies remain four-touchdown underdogs. That’s because Alabama has been nearly flawless behind Tagovailoa, who has completed 72 percent of his passing attempts, has thrown eight touchdown passes and has no interceptions.
He’s thrown five touchdown passes of 25 yards or more. That’s another concern for an A&M pass defense which has given up far too many big plays. Finding a way to contain Tagovailoa is the top priority, but Fisher warns the Aggies cannot afford to be obsessed with him.
“You get caught up with one person, there are three more that will tear your arm off,” Fisher said. ”Of course, Alabama is the defending national champion and is really good, but that's not our only obstacle.”
However, A&M provides obstacles, too. Running back Trayveon Williams is sixth in the nation with 399 rushing yards. Quarterback Kellen Mond has completed 18 passes that have covered at least 20 yards. A&M’s defense is ranked among the nation’s top 10 against the run. A&M appears to be Alabama’s sternest challenge thus far. Saban agreed.
"This is a really good team that we’re playing, the best team that we’ve played so far,” Saban said earlier this week.
The Aggies also have the confidence boost from their close call with Clemson.
“I feel very confident in our ability to move the ball versus anybody,” receiver Jhamon Ausbon said. “I feel like if you want to win and go far in this league you have to label every opponent you face. There can’t be any differences depending on who you play. As long as we go into the game with that mentality we’ll be fine."
Mond, who had a solid showing against the Tide last year as a true freshman, echoed those thoughts.
“Every play matters. With their defense, they try to force you to make mistakes,” Mond said. “We’ll have to minimize. Minimize negative plays. I always feel confident in the offensive line, the running backs and receivers to make plays. I feel like we’re going to be fine going in there.”
But will A&M be fine coming out?
Either way, the Aggies will learn how far they’ve come or how far they’ve got to go to reach Alabama.
