Obviously, there has been a lot of in-depth information on Texas A&M this week, but it is only because much of college football already knows what to expect from Alabama.
With it being favored by 26 in the point spread and outscoring Vanderbilt and Mississippi 125-3, media pundits are anticipating another dominant outing from the Crimson Tide.
The Aggies do have some pieces that can create opportunities; however, it will need help on defense and uncharacteristic mistakes on Alabama’s part in order to pull out an upset win at home.
Although this series has not been as competitive as ones from 2012 and 2013, a highly-energized crowd at Kyle Field should help Texas A&M appear more focused on the task at hand.
Listed below are five players to watch this week for Aggie Nation.
Keith Ford, RB
Trayveon Williams is a solid runner, but Keith Ford is the running back needed for Texas A&M against Alabama’s hard core defensive line. Ford transferred to the Aggies from Oklahoma in 2016 and has been productive. He turned in 669 yards rushing with six touchdowns on 126 carries last season – including some good numbers versus the Crimson Tide.
He had 16 touches for 83 yards, with four of his attempts resulting in first downs.
Ford totaled three first downs runs and caught a 21-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Knight, despite a 33-14 loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He’s strictly a north, south rusher and that’s what will relive much pressure from freshman Kellen Mond. Through five games, Ford is second on the team in rushing with 57 attempts for 302 yards and seven scores.
Christian Kirk, WR
Alabama’s Calvin Ridley may be the best wide receiver in the SEC, but Christian Kirk is unarguably the best all-purpose athlete in the conference. Defenses must be aware of where he is all times because he’s a game-changer at receiver, rusher and return specialist.
After totaling a 1,000-yard season in 2015, Kirk posted 928 yards receiving a year ago and currently leads Texas A&M with 23 catches for 264 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Like Ford, Kirk has been able to generate big plays versus Alabama.
He caught nine passes for 58 yards in 2016, including a 25-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter that gave the Aggies a 14-13 lead. As a true freshman, Kirk brought in seven receptions for 90 receiving yards against the Crimson Tide at Kyle Field. He also accounted for 86 punts return yards on four attempts, with one going back for a 68-yard touchdown.
Texas A&M averages 25 yards per return, while Kirk leads the unit with 302 kick return yards and a score on 10 tries.
Currently, he’s averaging 30.20 yards per return.
Kellen Mond, QB
He’s growing as a playmaker, but Kellen Mond needs to manage the game.
During the Aggies’ wins over Arkansas and South Carolina, Mond was instrumental in both throwing and running the ball. He totaled 325 yards offensively with two touchdowns in a 50-43 overtime victory over the Razorbacks, while his 254 yards helped the team beat the Gamecocks.
Regardless of Nick Saban mentioning his prowess of extending plays, the San Antonio, Texas native cannot afford to make mistakes. Alabama’s secondary has eight interceptions on the year, including one returned for a touchdown via senior defensive back Levi Wallace.
Mond is completing 54.8 percent of his throws for 808 yards with six scores.
Armani Watts, S
Armani Watts is Texas A&M’s defensive anchor.
From his safety position, the senior led the team with 126 tackles two years ago. He posted 56 total stops last season, and despite getting burned at times this year, he has 37 tackles.
His size (5-11/205) doesn’t tell much, but Watts has no problem in run support.
He’s one of the leaders in tackles for loss (five), while having three pass breakups and three interceptions.
Otaro Alaka, LB
He is the X-factor this week.
Otaro Alaka will have to spy Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, should he break containment of the pocket. He is second in tackles (31) and has seven stops for loss with three sacks.
Alaka has two quarterback hurries through five games, and has helped Texas A&M limit opponents to 96 yards rushing. He and the Aggies will not completely shut down the Crimson Tide’s rushing attack, but if it can create a poor third down conversion rate – that’s a win.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
