Will Alabama fans see a defense control a whole game?
After playing well versus LSU, Nick Saban wants to see dominance in a meeting with New Mexico State. The Crimson Tide looks to prove it’s one of the best four teams in the College Football Playoff. Regardless of Arkansas, Auburn, and Georgia (potentially) being opponents on Alabama’s schedule, Saturday’s game is important. The Tide has to own the Aggies from start to finish.
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Coach Saban said Monday that New Mexico State has one of the top passing offenses in the nation.
The Aggies are ranked 23rd in this category, averaging 278.1 yards per game. Five receivers have caught 20+ passes, and sophomore Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda leads receivers with four touchdowns. New Mexico State’s wide receiver room has players that are 6-feet or taller, including Andre Bodison at 6-foot-5. Jonah Johnson, a junior at quarterback for the Aggies, has 1,975 passing yards with eight touchdowns to seven interceptions. Malachi Moore told reporters Tuesday that Alabama has to ‘lock in.’
“It is going to be a good challenge for us to stop their passing game,” Moore said about the challenge New Mexico State presents Alabama’s secondary. “They pass the ball a lot, and that’s what they like to do. It is going to be important for us to take this week of practice seriously.”
The Crimson Tide’s secondary has forced 15 pass breakups and 11 interceptions. Moore has one of the 11 picks.
Alabama cannot afford mental errors, penalties, or miscommunication on the back end.
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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 @CoachingMSmith.
