#15 Texas A&M at #1 Alabama
Where: Bryant-Denney Stadium, Tuscaloosa
When: Saturday at 3:30 PM ET on CBS
Last time they met: Alabama won 30-10 in 1988
It has really become my Wednesday ritual to sit down with the weekend’s college football schedule and search for a Marquee Matchup that doesn’t involve two SEC teams. Sadly, once again there is just no way around it. While I certainly plan on flipping back and forth to check on the Oregon State vs. Stanford game (hoping the Cardinal can get a win to help ND’s strength of schedule), the afternoon game to watch is clearly the Texas A&M at Alabama matchup.
If you haven’t had the chance to watch A&M’s Johnny Manziel (popularly becoming known as Johnny Football) you’ll now have the opportunity to watch him against the best defense in the country (sorry Irish fans, we’re still #2!). Manziel has shown a incredible knack for playmaking ability, particularly when the play breaks down. Think about Everett Golson in the 4th quarter against Pittsburgh, but now think about it happening all season long. Oh, and Manziel is a first year player as well.
To date Johnny Football has thrown 16 touchdown passes while adding another 15 touchdowns on the ground. That is 31 touchdowns in 9 games. But, Manziel’s worst game so far this year was against LSU which is boasting the nation’s 10th ranked defense. We’ll see if he learned any lessons that he can apply in Tuscaloosa on Saturday.
For Irish fans, this represents what is likely the last hope for Alabama to drop out of the national championship race as games with Western Carolina and Auburn follow for the Crimson Tide. Most people continue to project an undefeated season for Bama as they enter the game as 14 point favorites. I do think that there will be a slight letdown in performance following last week’s last minute victory over LSU, but I don’t think it will be enough for A&M to pull out a W on the road. Final Score: Alabama 31, Texas A&M 21.
Previous predictions:
[table “” not found /]Twibby’s 2012 Record vs. Spread: 7-2
- Chicks Dig the Long Ball: Irish Receivers ’13 - October 23, 2013
- Breaking Down the Run/Pass Balance - September 26, 2013
- 3 Questions for MSU - September 19, 2013