Texas A&M preview: Bama will see a familiar face in battle for SEC West

DEFENSE

John Chavis continues to rebuild a defense that prior to his arrival, was a defense in name only. Texas A&M has gotten off to somewhat of a slow start statistically, ranking 98^th in total defense, 68^th in rushing defense, 109^th in raw pass defense, 35^th in pass efficiency defense, but 22^nd in scoring defense. Translation: There are a lot of empty yards being gained between the 20s but the Aggies buckle down when it matters – they’re 4^th in the nation in red zone defense. This is a hallmark of Chavis’ beloved 4-3 set that puts a lot of pressure on the linebackers to make plays. Alabama counters with its 3-4 over/under that, for the second consecutive week, will spend about as much time in base defense as the Jamaican bobsled team does on an Olympic medal podium. This will be another nickel/dime front week for the Tide. Alabama ranks 1^st in the nation in rushing defense, 5^th in total defense, 8^th in scoring defense, 46^th in raw pass defense and 20^th in pass efficiency defense.

DEFENSIVE LINE

This is one of the few lines that can hang with Alabama in regards to QB pressure. The end combination of Myles Garrett on one side and Daeshon Hall – who is actually having a better year – is almost too much to bear. The two have combined for an impossible 16 QB hurries and 7.5 sacks, along with 15 tackles for loss. Zaycoven Henderson is the primary tackle, and a guy that doesn’t have to come off the field in passing situations. If there’s been a soft spot here, it’s the secondary tackle spot, where Hardreck Walker has been somewhat absent. Daylon Mack and Kingsley Keke are competent reserve tackles, while Jarrett Johnson and Quaylon Cunningham are quality reserve ends.

Alabama will counter with Da’Ron Payne in the middle flanked by Dalvin Tomlinson and Jonathan Allen outside. Da’Shawn Hand and Dakota Ball provide depth at end, while Joshua Frazier backs up Payne. There is no glaring weakness here for either team. Texas A&M has the better depth situation, but Alabama’s ability to stop the run more effectively is what tilts it toward the Tide. Alabama will be eagerly awaiting Garrett’s and Hall’s departure to the NFL, however. Advantage: Alabama

LINEBACKERS

Six categories in, we finally have a point of separation. When Chavis took over Texas A&M’s defense, rebuilding the linebacker group was his first priority. Aggie fans are hoping Chavis is drawing inspiration from vintners, because this is taking awhile. Otara Alaka will start in the middle flanked by Shaan Washington and Richard Moore outside. All three have proven at least some ability to stuff runs behind the line of scrimmage and get after the quarterback, but consistency is a real sore spot.

It’s a bit odd to see an SEC team’s starting middle linebacker register just 6^th on a team’s tackle list at this point in the season, but that’s where Alaka is. Washington is the second-leading tackler and is probably the guy to keep an eye on. Alabama will look for matchups to expose Moore, who is about the size of a safety.

The Crimson Tide will start Reuben Foster and Shaun Dion Hamilton inside, with Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson, Christian Miller, Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Hall rotating outside. Rashaan Evans is the primary reserve inside, with Keith Holcombe and Mack Wilson also providing depth. Chavis is doing his best, and Washington and Alaka certainly have potential, but Alabama’s linebackers put on a clinic every week. This one isn’t close at all. Advantage: Alabama

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Chavis’ other goal was to get the secondary playing better, and in this case, he’s done it. Nick Harvey and UCLA transfer Priest Willis have given the Aggies good work at cornerback; Willis, who is 6’2” and thick, has been a substantial upgrade. The safeties were the weak spot pre-Chavis, and Armani Watts has now become a feared player. Justin Evans is the team’s leading tackler and while not as dynamic as A&M would like, he has stabilized the position and is consistent. Donovan Wilson gives A&M good experience off the bench, while Alex Sezer Jr. is an overachiever. Depth is pretty much nonexistent behind this unit, however, with only DeShawn Capers-Smith playing more than just a cursory role.

Alabama counters with Marlon Humphrey, Anthony Averett and Minkah Fitzpatrick in its cornerback group, while Eddie Jackson and Ronnie Harrison hold down the safety spots, with Tony Brown and Laurence Jones the primary backups there. It’s said best, probably, that Chavis is milking everything he can get out of this group. Alabama’s ceiling is just a lot higher, and depth is solidly an Alabama win. Advantage: Alabama

SPECIAL TEAMS

With the exception of the placekicker himself, Texas A&M has no weaknesses. The Aggies are strong in both return units, strong on return defense and rank 17^th nationally in net punting. Punter Shane Tripuka is averaging 43.6 yards per kick and has killed 14 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Kicker Daniel LaCamera is the issue. He’s 12-of-16 on field goals, but 5 of those attempts are from 29 in, and he’s missed three kicks in the 30-39 range, including one that could have cost Texas A&M the Tennessee game.

Alabama counters with Adam Griffith at kicker and J.K. Scott at punter, and their numbers match up favorably to their Aggie counterparts. The troubling aspect for Alabama of this matchup is where Alabama is bad (return coverage), A&M is good. Alabama’s punt-return defense has fallen to a dismal 116^th nationally, and the Aggies are licking their chops. Neither kicker is a sure thing in the clutch, but Texas A&M is doing the little things a lot better. Advantage: Texas A&M

OVERALL

Alabama leads in five categories, Texas A&M in three. All four offensive categories are truly up for grabs. Alabama controls, slightly, both OL-DL matchups but it’s not as big of an edge as one might think.

The best thing Alabama has going for it right now is that the game is in Tuscaloosa. Aside from the Johnny Manziel miracle year, Alabama has done a pretty good job snuffing the Aggies in Bryant-Denny Stadium. This will be the first time Trevor Knight has faced an SEC team substantially better than his own while the game was on the road. The Arkansas game was a neutral-site affair for Texas A&M, and neither Auburn nor South Carolina was as good as Texas A&M, let alone better. Ergo, Knight will be punching above his weight for the first time.

Nick Saban must keep his team focused for one more week before Alabama can hit the off week and take a breather. If Alabama loses this game, the Tide would have to hope for Texas A&M to lose two of its last three SEC games. Those games do, at least, come against LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and the first two are quite capable of knocking off the Aggies. Better, however, to win this game and get it out of the way rather than worrying about dominoes falling in other cities later in the year.

Alabama must contain Knight’s damage, and the secondary will have to be on point to keep a talented receiver corps in check. Other than that, it will be a case of not yielding a game-changing play in special teams. This one may be too close for comfort before it’s all over.

Alabama 34
Texas A&M 28

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