The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 SEC) head on the road to take on the Texas A&M Aggies (3-2, 0-2 SEC) for a Southeastern Conference showdown between a pair of powerhouse programs.
Saturday’s SEC West tilt will kick off at 8 p.m. EST at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. The clash will be televised nationally on CBS. Alabama is an 18-point favorite against the Aggies, and the total over-under is at 51 points.
What to Know – #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama looks to stay undefeated and extend their winning streak to 20 games. The Crimson Tide have won eight in a row over the Aggies, and head coach Nick Saban has never lost to one of his former coaches.
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is the current betting favorite to win the Heisman, according to most sportsbooks. As the starter, the signal-caller has done nothing but impress in his first season, throwing 17 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. Young is completing 73% of his passes and has 1,365 yards passing.
Young’s favorite targets have been junior wide receiver John Metchie III and Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams. Metchie’s hauled in 27 receptions for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Williams serves as the downfield threat, catching 17 balls for 364 yards and three scores.
The Crimson Tide are 11-4 against the spread over their last 15 contests, including a 5-2 ATS in their last seven facing the Aggies.
What to Know – Texas A&M Aggies
This season, the Aggies were one of the dark horses to potentially up-end the Crimson Tide and take over the SEC West. Head coach Jimbo Fisher and his squad have looked out of shorts this year, and the hosts carry a two-game losing streak into the matchup.
Sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada stepped in for the injured starter Haynes King after Week 1 and hasn’t been able to get going under center. Calzada has thrown five touchdowns with four interceptions and is completing only 53.9% of his throws.
The Aggies will need a big game from junior running back Isaiah Spiller if they want a shot at upsetting Alabama. Spiller has carried the ball 68 times for 445 yards and two touchdowns this year. The talented rusher is averaging 6.5 yards when he touches the ball.
Texas A&M is 1-4 ATS over their recent five games against SEC West foes, and the Aggies are 2-3 ATS this season.
The Pick is In
Saturday’s contest was a game circled on the schedule before the season as a potential mega matchup between two teams at the top of their conference. Alabama has done their part, but the Aggies have played their way out of a playoff birth and potential SEC title.
Kyle Field is a tough place to play, but Young has shown the ability to stay calm on the biggest stage. The Aggies’ inability to move the football offensively will be the difference here, and the top team in the country leaves College Station with a convincing victory.
Betting Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide -18
