Interstate 10 has nothing to do with the fact the road to Atlanta runs through Alabama.
Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) can take a huge step toward reaching Atlanta for the SEC championship game with a victory at Kyle Field on Saturday over No. 11 Alabama (4-1, 2-0 SEC).
Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.
Though plenty of work would remain to be done, the winner will take sole possession of first place in the SEC West Division race and have an inside track to Atlanta.
The Aggies know this. They also know they cannot look that far down the road.
“Right now, I’m not even looking at it like that,” Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith said. “(We’re) really just focusing on each week and not even worrying about the end result. Just win this weekend and continue on.”
The Aggies hope to add to a three-game winning streak. That will likely require them to continue playing suffocating defense.
In SEC victories over Auburn and Arkansas, the Aggies notched 14 sacks and 30 tackles for losses, while allowing just 18 total points.
But rushing Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe can be a double-edged sword. Alabama’s offensive line has allowed 20 sacks, so there is potential to apply heavy pressure.
However, there’s also potential for Milroe to scramble for long gains. Milroe scrambled for a 53-yard touchdown in Alabama’s 40-17 victory over Mississippi State last week.
“Milroe may be sacked a couple of times, but he also makes a 60-yard touchdown run,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher warned. “We have to get pressure on him, but we have to do it with the integrity of the pocket where he doesn’t have holes to get out. If he gets out, you’re down on the other end.”
That threat could change the Aggies’ approach to rushing the passer.
“Tackling, leverage, all those things, rushing in lanes and being disciplined in our lanes is going to be very critical,” Fisher said.
Of course, A&M has a quarterback that can pose problems, too.
Max Johnson has thrown for 333 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards since taking over for injured Conner Weigman midway through the win over Auburn.
He has receivers that have previously excelled against Alabama. Last year, Evan Stewart caught eight passes for 106 yards against the Crimson Tide.
Smith, who was injured and did not play against Alabama last season, had six catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns in A&M’s 41-38 victory over Alabama in 2021. He also had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama in 2020.
Alabama has a strong secondary that is led by cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. However, the Tide gave up 349 passing yards in a 34-24 loss to Texas.
Similar success could put the Aggies on a path toward Atlanta.
ConcurJimAggie said:
...and Tennessee, and South Carolina, and Ole Miss, and Mississippi State, and LSU.
This game doesn't mean anything more than the other conference games.
