No. 13 Texas A&M (1-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 2 Alabama (1-0, 1-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET CBS).
Line: Alabama by 17 1/2.
Series Record: Alabama leads 10-2.
WHATāS AT STAKE
Texas A&M is trying to fix mistakes from the opener, a disappointingly close victory over heavy underdog Vanderbilt, and prove the Aggies are legitimate SEC West contenders. Alabama wants to continue its dominance at Bryant-Denny Stadium and over a division hopeful.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabamaās passing game against Texas A&Mās defense. QB Mac Jones has huge receiving threats in WRs Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. The Aggiesā secondary suffered another loss when backup nickel back Clifford Chattman decided to opt out for the season, joining a group that already included projected starting cornerback Elijah Blades.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas A&M: QB Kellen Mond had solid passing numbers in a 17-12 win over Vanderbilt, but fumbled three times and lost a pair of them. Mond passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns in last seasonās loss to Alabama while running for 90 yards and a third score.
Alabama: RB Najee Harris rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the opener against Missouri. Heās a dangerous runner and a talented receiver out of the backfield as well.
FACTS & FIGURES
Alabama has won the last seven meetings. .... The Tide has won 18 straight home openers and is 13-0 under coach Nick Saban, whose personal winning streak in home debuts is at 19 games. ... Saban is 19-0 against former assistants, including three victories over Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher (one while Fisher was at Florida State). Heāll face former underlings four straight weekends. ... Mond needs just 30 yards to join Johnny Manziel as the only Aggies quarterbacks with 9,000-plus yards of total offense. .. Alabamaās No. 2 ranking marks the 200th consecutive week the Tide has been ranked, easily the longest active streak in college football, ahead of Clemson (89).
Line: Alabama by 17 1/2.
Series Record: Alabama leads 10-2.
WHATāS AT STAKE
Texas A&M is trying to fix mistakes from the opener, a disappointingly close victory over heavy underdog Vanderbilt, and prove the Aggies are legitimate SEC West contenders. Alabama wants to continue its dominance at Bryant-Denny Stadium and over a division hopeful.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabamaās passing game against Texas A&Mās defense. QB Mac Jones has huge receiving threats in WRs Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. The Aggiesā secondary suffered another loss when backup nickel back Clifford Chattman decided to opt out for the season, joining a group that already included projected starting cornerback Elijah Blades.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas A&M: QB Kellen Mond had solid passing numbers in a 17-12 win over Vanderbilt, but fumbled three times and lost a pair of them. Mond passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns in last seasonās loss to Alabama while running for 90 yards and a third score.
Alabama: RB Najee Harris rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the opener against Missouri. Heās a dangerous runner and a talented receiver out of the backfield as well.
FACTS & FIGURES
Alabama has won the last seven meetings. .... The Tide has won 18 straight home openers and is 13-0 under coach Nick Saban, whose personal winning streak in home debuts is at 19 games. ... Saban is 19-0 against former assistants, including three victories over Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher (one while Fisher was at Florida State). Heāll face former underlings four straight weekends. ... Mond needs just 30 yards to join Johnny Manziel as the only Aggies quarterbacks with 9,000-plus yards of total offense. .. Alabamaās No. 2 ranking marks the 200th consecutive week the Tide has been ranked, easily the longest active streak in college football, ahead of Clemson (89).
