TUSCALOOSA—A confident bunch from College Station, Texas anticipates a win at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. It was a 29-24 victory over Alabama in 2012 that propelled Texas A&M to its best record under Kevin Sumlin, 11-2. History could repeat itself in greater proportions, if the Aggies can maintain consistency on offense and limit the Crimson Tide. Texas A&M, who is sixth nationally, enters the contest off a bye week.
Its offense shined against Arkansas and Tennessee, especially in the run game.
Defensively, the Aggies are much improved against the run. After giving up five yards a carry in three seasons (2013-15), defensive coordinator John Chavis has this group allowing just 3.85 yards a tot.
While it displays an incredible sense of focus on the road, Alabama tends to have its let downs at home. Of its 18 defeats under Nick Saban (2007-present), seven have occurred at Bryant-Denny. Both teams understand the magnitude of this contest, as both the SEC West and a spot in the College Football Playoff is on the line.
ESPN’s College GameDay and CBS Sports will do its part in supplying the hype, but now we get into the impact players for Texas A&M this week.
Texas A&M’s top five impact stars heading into Alabama game
5. Justin Evans, Defensive back, Senior
Evans leads the defense in tackles (48), while adding three tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups and three interceptions to his credit. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defender is an exceptional tackler with ball skills.
Covering the likes of Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart and others will be challenging on the road, but Chavis expects a solid outing from Evans against the Tide. Armani Watts and Donovan Wilson bring a different dynamic to the secondary. Watts can pressure on the edge (one sack) and Wilson breaks well to the football.
4. Trayveon Williams, Running back, Freshman
Williams is the first Aggies running back to average 100 yards per game (117.33) under Kevin Sumlin.
Williams, a four-star recruit, rushed for 100-plus yards in wins over Auburn, Arkansas and Tennessee, while totaling 217 yards rushing and a touchdown on 28 carries in a 45-38 overtime win versus Tennessee.
This season, Williams has accounted for 704 yards and five touchdowns on 82 attempts.
3. Josh Reynolds, Wide receiver, Senior
Much attention is placed on Christian Kirk and Ricky Seals-Jones, but Reynolds is the most consistent one of the bunch. The former junior college transfer led the team in receiving in 2014, and is doing it again this year.
He’s snatched 25 passes for 488 yards and four touchdowns.
Reynolds is the classic “get up and go get it” type of receiver. One of his best traits is route running. He excels at working back to the quarterback, giving the individual a reliable target to trust with the ball. More than likely, Alabama will either have Marlon Humphrey or Anthony Averett try to limit Reynolds as much as possible.
2. Trevor Knight, Quarterback, Senior
He was in a situation before against Alabama and despite it coming during his freshman year (2013), Knight guided Oklahoma to a stunning 45-31 upset in the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Inconsistent play caused him to lose his job to Baker Mayfield, but Texas A&M has restored the confidence he once had. Knight’s leadership and exceptional play has propelled the Aggies to a 6-0 record, as he’s registered 1,500 passing yards and 502 rushing yards with 18 total touchdowns (nine rushing) to five interceptions.
The combination of he and Trayveon Williams is very dangerous in zone read action. If Knight can protect the ball and attack Alabama’s defense on the perimeter, this will be a dog fight.
1. Myles Garrett, Defensive end, Junior
He was only at 60 percent against Tennessee, but expect one of the better pass rushers in college football to be ready on Saturday. Garrett leads the team in sacks (four), while totaling six tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound junior has been a force against the run too, aiding the Aggies’ front to allowing 3.85 yards a carry. Senior Daeshon Hall and sophomore Daylon Mack join Garrett up front.
Hall leads the team in both tackles for loss (nine) and quarterback pressures (10), while collecting 3.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Shaan Washington has also emerge as a leader on defense.
He is second on the team in tackles (45), and has 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, four quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles. Opponents have converted just 34 percent on third downs against Williams, Hall, Mack, Garrett and Texas A&M’s defense.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
