Note: The rankings I put are based on my own rankings, JK Top 25.
#1 Alabama vs #23 Texas A&M: Alabama has ton of talent on all sides of the ball. They have the best quarterback group by far, no question. They have an amazing run game lead by Damien Harris. Alabama’s receivers are the best in the nation and their defense is as great as usual. They do have 1 problem. The special teams. I don’t mean returning punts or kickoffs, they’re fine on that. Their problem is that they don’t have a great punter and kicker. Punter Skyler Delong is alright, but he isn’t very good either. Skyler Delong’s longest punt this season was only a 39-yard punt. Some punters can get 50-yard punts. Skyler Delong can’t even get a 40-yard punt. Also, while Kicker Joseph Bullovas has played, he missed a 38-yard field goal last game, which is a cause for concern. However, despite the special teams many mishaps, Alabama has had a very good season so far.
Here are some of Alabama’s and Texas A&M’s stats.
Alabama rushing yards: 710-yards
Texas A&M rushing yards: 855-yards
Alabama rushing touchdowns: 7 touchdowns
Texas A&M rushing touchdowns: 9 touchdowns
Alabama passing yards: 924-yards
Texas A&M passing yards: 934-yards
Alabama passing touchdowns: 12 touchdowns
Texas A&M passing touchdowns: 7 touchdowns
Texas A&M has an amazing run game, however, Alabama has the edge on the passing game and the running game.
Alabama’s edge on the passing game.
This is not only due to their quarterbacks but also their receivers. Jerry Jeudy has caught 2 touchdowns in each game so far this season. Also, Jeudy got over 130-yards last game. Alabama always has good receivers, but this year’s receiving group might be one of the best. Henry Ruggs III, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are all very competent receivers and Jerry Jeudy is on track to break Amari Cooper’s touchdown record at Alabama (16).
Alabama’s edge on the running game.
Texas A&M may have the better stats, but that is because they’ve been playing easy teams. When they were tested by playing Clemson they didn’t get anything going on the running game. Alabama has also been playing easy teams this season so far. However, Bama’s running backs have proven themselves in big games. Najee Harris ran for 64-yards on 6 carries in the CFP Championship last season. Damien Harris ran for 73-yards and a touchdown on only 9 carries against Florida State last year. Jalen Hurts, even though he’s a quarterback, lead Alabama in rushing yards with 71-yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. What I’m saying is, everybody knows Alabama can move the football, running or throwing, against anybody. As for Texas A&M, I’m not sure that they can.
Here is my prediction.
First half: Jerry Jeudy will have another amazing performance and catch 2 touchdowns, one thrown by Tagovailoa and one thrown by Hurts, in the first half putting Alabama up 24-7 at the half. In that half, Texas A&M Quarterback Kellen Mond threw a 21-yard touchdown to Receiver Kendrick Rogers right after Tua’s touchdown throw to Jeudy. The last score of the half was a 6-yard rushing by Najee Harris to make the game 24-7 with less than a minute to go.
Second half: Jalen Hurts opens the second half with a running touchdown to make the game 31-7. Later in the game, Kellon Mond throws a pick-six to Cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. to make the game 38-7. Late in the fourth quarter, Texas A&M kicks a field goal to make the game 38-10. On the next drive, Brian Robinson runs for the last score of the game, 45-10 final.
Oh, by the way, Nick Saban said that Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa will continue to play throughout the season, meaning that Jalen Hurts isn’t redshirting and then transferring. That also means that I was right. I said throughout the offseason that Jalen Hurts wasn’t going to transfer and now it’s official.
“Every time I’ve talked to Jalen since the season started, he’s said, ‘Coach, I want to play,’ and has never said otherwise. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s never asked not to play in a game. He says he’s ready to play and has practiced well and prepared well,” Saban said. “Jalen’s a competitor, and the kids on this team respect him. They respect both quarterbacks.”
Jalen Hurts has thrown 4 touchdowns and 1 interception this season.
Photos by: Phillip Hendon
