Texas A&M finally found the win column again last week, dropping The Citadel 41-0 at home and pushing their season record to 4-3. That was a nice, brief break from the grind, but now the real gauntlet begins for the Aggies, starting with Alabama, then South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Texas to close out the season. If A&M wants any shot against that brutal lineup, especially kicking it off against the Crimson Tide, they absolutely have to win in the trenches.
Alabama’s Run Defense Has Cracks
Against The Citadel, Texas A&M dominated the line of scrimmage, racking up 264 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Look, nobody expects them to replicate that kind of output against Alabama, but the Aggies still need to lean on that ground game. Shortening the game is going to be crucial here. The problem is, if Alabama’s defense has a strength, it’s shutting down the run. They’re 6th in the SEC, giving up just 107 yards per game, good for 29th nationally. But don’t let those numbers fool you completely. We just saw cracks appear last week against Tennessee. DeSean Bishop exploded for 159 yards and two touchdowns against the Tide, both coming in the second half, sealing the win for Tennessee. That’s a blueprint, right there.
So, while directly running into the teeth of that Alabama front might not be the smartest move, Texas A&M’s offensive line needs help. Think zone-running schemes, or pulling linemen to open up lanes for guys like KJ Edwards and Jamarrion Morrow. These backs can make defenders miss, and they’ll have to create those bigger gains if A&M wants any offensive success. Avoiding those soul-crushing three-and-outs, which have absolutely killed this defense against top competition, is paramount.
The Passing Game Paradox
Here’s where it gets interesting: Alabama’s passing defense ranks near the bottom of the country, at 101st in passing yards allowed. You’d think that’s a massive opportunity for the Aggies, right? But I’m not convinced relying on the passing attack is the path to victory here. My gut says A&M will use Reed’s arm sparingly, probably leaning heavily on play-action and quick passes to keep the risk minimal. Of course, the Texas A&M offensive line will also have to lock down Alabama’s top edge rusher, Yhonzae Pierre. On the bright side, Alabama’s defensive scheme isn’t exactly a masterclass in creativity from what’s been seen on tape. Maybe that simplicity lets Reed find a bit more rhythm.
Ultimately, though, it still feels like the offense needs to live and die by the run game. For A&M to have any real chance in this one, beyond just finding success on the ground, they need to jump out to an early lead, avoid those killer three-and-outs, and protect the football like it’s gold. This is the first real test of that brutal end-of-season stretch, and it’s going to tell us a lot about where this 4-3 Aggies squad really stands.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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