Ultimate challenge awaits No. 22 A&M
No. 22 Texas A&M has already faced a major challenge this season, but now comes the ultimate test — a game at No. 1 Alabama.
The Aggies have a 2-1 record through three games — all at home — in 2018. Their two wins came against Northwestern State and Louisiana-Monroe, while Texas A&M fell 28-26 to No. 2 Clemson in Week 2.
The tilt against Clemson is the best measuring stick for the Aggies’ hopes against the defending national champions. Jimbo Fisher’s squad went toe-to-toe with the Tigers but ultimately fell short.
While Clemson’s offense didn’t run over Texas A&M’s defense, the Aggies were stymied in the run game themselves as they tallied only 71 yards on the ground. That forced Kellen Mond to throw for 430 yards on 23-of-40 passing.
With Alabama giving up only 201 passing yards and 101 rushing yards per game, the Aggies will have to break through the Tide’s dominant defensive front to find a rhythm offensively.
“As a competitor, you always look forward to the challenge,” Fisher said. “But you know they’re going to be outstanding. We’re going to have to play well. In this league, the teams that can run it and can stop the run are successful.”
Still, Fisher and the Aggies have proven to be a dangerous foe in 2018. That has Nick Saban and Alabama aiming to be laser focused heading into Saturday’s SEC showdown.
“I think the most important thing for our team right now,” Saban said, “is to maintain a standard of excellence and not allow outside voices and influences to affect our intensity, our focus on preparation and understand the importance of maintaining our standard in everything that we do every day.”
Texas A&M is coming off a 48-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe. The Aggies mounted 531 total yards of offense while limiting Monroe to 328.
While Monroe is on a different stratosphere compared to Alabama, perhaps Texas A&M can carry over some momentum into Tuscaloosa.
