Alabama hosts SEC rival Texas A&M in a showdown of two teams looking to get back into form.
With Mississippi State and Ole Miss dominating the conference as of now, a loss for either 'Bama or A&M means likely elimination from SEC West contention.
Records:
Alabama: 5-1 (2-1 SEC)
Texas A&M: 5-2 (2-2 SEC)
Last Meeting: Alabama won 49-42 in 2013
Key Stat: Alabama accumulated just 227 yards of offense versus Arkansas, their lowest total of the season. They had put up over 500 yards of offense in four games this season - including over 600 twice.
Alabama Outlook: Alabama got back into the win column last week, but it wasn't pretty. A 14-13 win over Arkansas kept the Crimson Tide from suffering back-to-back losses after losing to Ole Miss two weeks ago.
T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper were both shutdown in that game, combining for less than 100 yards of offense.
The Tide have scored just 31 points the last two weeks, and will look to get back to their early season dominance, where they scored 40+ points in three of the first four games.
Texas A&M Outlook: The Aggies dropped their second straight game to a Mississippi school, losing 35-20 to Ole Miss.
Texas A&M has fallen down to #21 after two straight losses, averaging a 16 point deficit. Quarterback Kenny Hill has thrown five interceptions in those games.
As a result, the Aggies are in need of a win as they sit in fifth place in the SEC West.
What to watch for: Both offenses have struggled over the last two weeks, meaning things could get ugly if neither squad figures it out prior to this game.
For Texas A&M they need Hill to settle back into a rhythm and hold onto the football. Alabama needs to get Cooper and Yeldon back into the gameplan.
What they're saying - Alabama:
TE O.J. Howard didn't get frustrated when passes weren't coming (AL.com)
Processing the numbers, week 8 - Texas A&M (Roll Bama Roll)
What they're saying - Texas A&M:
Aggies seeking relevance, confidence in return to Alabama (Star-Telegram)
With Alabama on tap, Aggies believe in Kenny Hill to lead way (Houston Chronicle)
Prediction:
Alabama - 27, Texas A&M 20
The Crimson Tide should put their offensive struggles behind them in this one, doing enough to get the win. The Aggies have a chance in this game, but Alabama has been off their game the past few weeks and it's a matter of time before they snap back into form.
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