Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Top matchup that favors the Tide
No. 11 Alabama (4-1, 2-0 SEC) is on the road this weekend taking on Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) in College Station. As things sit, the Tide are 2.5-point favorites over the Aggies, which is one of the lowest point spreads we’ve seen for UA in recent years. There’s good reason for that, as different matchups favor each team.
On Wednesday, we broke down one matchup that’s heavily favoring Texas A&M. Now, it’s time to flip the script and focus on one matchup that’s heavily favoring Alabama. In fact, I don’t think this side of things has been talked about nearly enough this week, and it could — and likely will — play a critical role in Saturday’s outcome.
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Alabama defense vs. Texas A&M offense
OK, so I kept this matchup a little more broad. Why? Well, it’s difficult to narrow down the various ways in which Alabama’s defense can make life difficult for new Aggies quarterback Max Johnson, a backup-turned-starter following a season-ending foot injury to sophomore Conner Weigman, and the rest of this A&M offense.
Don’t get me wrong, Johnson is a good player who’s got quite a bit of SEC starting experience from his days at LSU. This game happening in College Station only helps the 6-foot-6, 230-pound quarterback from Athens (Ga.) too. At the same time, there are some weak spots to this offense, and I think Alabama has the personnel to take advantage of it.
First, we need to be talking more about Alabama’s defensive front.
A lot of people have been focused almost exclusively on how the UA offensive line matches up against A&M’s defensive line. Obviously, that’s a key matchup in this game, which is why we highlighted it on Tuesday. Alabama’s pass rush has also been on a heater over the last three games though. Since going sackless against Texas in Week 2, this defense has generated 14 sacks, which is only two fewer than A&M during that span.
Not only that, but Alabama has 78 total pressures over its last three games, according to Pro Football Focus. Texas A&M has 52. And of the 78 from UA’s side, almost half of them (38) have come from two players, Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell. You’re also seeing defensive coordinator Kevin Steele get creative in how he’s using pressure packages with the off-ball linebackers and defensive backs, which is leading to constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Aggies left tackle Trey Zuhn has been lights out over the last three weeks. He hasn’t even given up a pressure across his 104 pass-blocking opportunities, which is really impressive for the third-year offensive lineman out of Fort Collins (Colo.) Fossil Ridge. Right tackle has been a different story though. True freshman Chase Bisontis is going to be a heck of a player before his college career is over and done, but he’s struggled at times in pass protection.
Sure, he’s only given up one sack, but he’s allowed 15 pressures, including five QB hits.
For comparison, Alabama freshman Kadyn Proctor has given up four sacks but only 12 pressures. Obviously, pressures aren’t as bad as sacks, but this Crimson Tide exterior pass rush has a chance to affect Johnson fairly consistently on Saturday. The veteran quarterback has been pretty good at avoiding turnovers (only eight interceptions in 393 career pass attempts), but he did throw one to Arkansas last week that was returned for a defensive touchdown.
I don’t think the Razorbacks or Auburn field a secondary as talented as Alabama’s either. Really, that can be said confidently about the second level, too. Sure, not having a player like Deontae Lawson in the lineup for a second straight week would sting, but there are plenty of playmakers available with the linebackers and defensive backs. And even if Johnson isn’t forced into a back-breaking mistake, there are other ways to make life difficult for him.
Simply forcing most of the game onto his shoulders, for example.
Over the last couple of weeks, Alabama has done a nice job of forcing third-and-long situations. That’s actually played a big role in the pass rush being so effective. Earning the right to get after the quarterback, and then taking advantage of it. Arkansas did a decent job of that last week, but it doesn’t have the caliber of pass rush that UA brings to the table. You also have to credit Auburn, as A&M went 0-for-5 on third downs of seven yards or more against the Tigers.
Just putting the A&M offense in bad situations can lead to an Alabama victory. Not only does it keep pressure off Jalen Milroe and the offense, but it also can generate frustration throughout the stadium. And while the crowd will almost always benefit the home team, getting a crowd frustrated can sometimes cause that vibe to carry over to the players on the field.
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