GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Alabama allows 101.3 rushing yards per game, ranking 25th in the nation, which is actually worse than where the Tide usually ranks. The Tide will be going against a Texas A&M team that is more intent on running the ball with power under head coach Jimbo Fisher than it did under Kevin Sumlin.
Texas A&M RB Trayveon Williams has rushed 59 times for 399 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. The Aggies are averaging 285.0 yards per game on the ground but note that 503 came against Northeastern State. Against Clemson’s all-star defensive line, Texas A&M ran 32 times for 71 yards.
If Alabama and guys like DL Raekwon Davis and DL Quinnen Williams can control the trenches — as it often has done against A&M — the Tide will take big steps toward victory.
DRAFT SLANT
–FS Deionte Thompson was the No. 1 draft ‘riser’ after last week’s games, according to NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst Rob Rang.
He wrote: “Thompson was virtually everywhere during Alabama’s surgical 62-7 dismantling of a very talented Ole Miss squad that features three first round prospects, including the best collection of receivers in the country. Thompson intercepted one pass, reading the eyes of Rebels’ quarterback Jordan Ta’amu to steal this interception and should have been credited with a forced fumble for delivering a wicked shot to abruptly end one of his eight rushes on the day.
“Thompson’s range earned the attention of Hall of Fame tight end and current analyst Shannon Sharpe, who mentioned the names Sean Taylor and Ed Reed when describing how impressed he was with Alabama’s latest star.”
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Damien Harris collected 85 yards of total offense last week, averaging 12.4 yards on five carries and catching a team-high four passes for 23 yards.
–CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, a freshman who was the fifth cornerback on the depth chart, is out for the season because of a knee injury.
–OLB Terrell Lewis suffered a torn ACL over the summer during a workout and is likely out for the season. He was limited to four games because of an arm injury last season and was expected to be a key part of the OLB rotation.
–OLB Chris Allen, a sophomore, is out for the season because of a knee injury.
–RT Matt Womack, a projected starter, suffered a broken foot during camp and was expected to miss several weeks.
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