Two groups with aspirations of profitable the SEC West championship meet up on Saturday within the SEC on CBS Sport of the Week when Texas A&M performs host to No. 11 Alabama in a showdown that additionally has an influence on the Faculty Soccer Playoff races. Each squads suffered unflattering Week 2 nonconference losses that dropped expectations, however they’ve since regained their footing to set the stage for this marquee Week 6 showdown.
Alabama beat Ole Miss and Mississippi State over the previous two weeks after reinstating Jalen Milroe at quarterback. The Tide have demonstrated defensive enchancment following a Sept. 9 loss to Texas and an uninspiring Week 3 win over South Florida. Texas A&M recovered from its Week 2 loss at Miami with three straight double-digit victories over Louisiana-Monroe, Auburn and Arkansas. The Aggies restricted Arkansas to simply 174 whole yards and 10 first downs throughout a 34-22 win final week as quarterback Max Johnson made his first begin of the season rather than the injured Conner Weigman.
When Alabama coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher face off, it is at all times entertaining. The 2 have exchanged verbal jabs lately. Fisher, who was Saban’s offensive coordinator at LSU, is in search of his second win in opposition to his previous boss. The previous two conferences had been determined by a complete of seven factors, and it might be no shock if the 2023 rendition is equally as shut.
Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Have to know
Kyle Discipline rematch: It is the primary assembly at Kyle Discipline between the groups since 2021, when the Aggies knocked off the No. 1 Crimson Tide 41-38 on a 28-yard subject aim from Seth Small as time expired at hand Alabama its first loss in opposition to an unranked foe since 2007. The kick capped a late rally from a Texas A&M squad led by backup quarterback Zach Calzada and stands as one of the gorgeous upsets of the post-COVID period in college football. The end result marked Fisher as the primary former Saban assistant to beat him.
One thing to show: Whichever quarterback wins ought to come away with validation. Milroe misplaced the beginning job for every week in September earlier than regaining it and guiding the Crimson Tide to wins over Ole Miss and Mississippi State. He accomplished 27 of 33 passes for 389 yards in these victories whereas additionally working for 97 yards and two touchdowns. A highway win in opposition to the Aggies may change the nationwide narrative surrounding what the Crimson Tide can accomplish beneath Milroe’s management. For the Aggies, Johnson has been strong since changing Weigman mid-game in opposition to Auburn on Sept. 23. The redshirt sophomore is in his fourth season and has 18 begins beneath his belt throughout time at LSU and Texas A&M. However he is by no means been the starter for a crew within the SEC West title hunt. That adjustments if he guides the Aggies to a win in opposition to Alabama.
Particular groups superstars: Solely 18 beginning kickers have but to overlook a subject aim try coming into Week 6 motion, and Alabama’s Will Reichard stands atop that group with an 11 for 11 mark. Crimson Tide punter James Burnip additionally ranks fourth nationally in common yards per punt at 48.9. With a median web punt of 44.27 yards, Alabama ranks No. 6 nationally. The Crimson Tide have additionally blocked a punt and a subject aim to spherical out a strong particular groups unit. Texas A&M counters with the explosive Ainias Smith, who returned a punt for a landing in final week’s victory over Arkansas.
The right way to watch Alabama vs. Texas A&M reside
Date: Saturday, Oct. 7 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kyle Discipline — Faculty Station, Texas
TV: CBS | Dwell stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Attempt It Free)
Alabama vs. Texas A&M prediction, picks
Odds through SportsLine consensus
These groups mixed to attain simply 44 factors final season when Alabama beat Texas A&M 24-20. The Crimson Tide are nonetheless figuring issues out offensively with quarterback Jalen Milroe beneath first-year coordinator Tommy Rees, and Texas A&M’s protection simply held Arkansas beneath 200 whole yards. Take note additionally that two of the Aggies’ 4 touchdowns in opposition to the Razorbacks got here through an interception return and a punt return. These elements mix to make the beneath a sensible decide. Decide: Beneath 49.5
Which school soccer picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 6? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned nearly $2,500 in revenue over the previous seven seasons — and discover out.
