Game to Watch :: Week 3

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Since I linked up with Helene yesterday, my Game to Watch was postponed until today!!

The game to watch this week is definitely Texas A&M vs Alabama.  The Crimson Tide are going to be looking for revenge against the Aggies in what's sure to be a great rematch!

In November 2012, the Alabama vs. Texas A&M game was the one that truly put Johnny Manziel in high contention for the Heisman Trophy as the Aggies handed the reigning National Champions their first and only loss of the season.  This Saturday #1 Alabama will seek revenge against #6 Texas A&M, just three weeks into the season and this time in College Station.  Alabama is coming off a bye week and sub par performance, yet win, against Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.  So far, Texas A&M has two blow-out wins against two unranked teams and played one of the four halves without Johnny Football.  

But what will it take for Texas A&M to upset Alabama once again?

 This year Alabama is much more aware of what Texas A&M can do.  Last year was the first time the schools played each other since 1988.  Alabama was not familiar with the Aggies.  Texas A&M played in the BIG 12 and 2012 was their inaugural season in the SEC.  Alabama was coming off a big win against LSU, and may have been over confident leading into a game against Texas A&M, then ranked 15. 

This week the Crimson Tide will be looking for revenge.  Nick Saban’s record coming off a bye week/ more than one week to prepare for any given team is 7-3 since 2008.  Not as impressive as one may have thought.  Nick Saban said in an October 2010 interview, “it's not an advantage or disadvantage to have a bye week. It probably depends a lot on the circumstances."  This being said, Nick Saban has been labeled the “Master of Rematch Games” by DallasNews.com.  Since becoming an SEC coach in 2000, Nick Saban is 15-2 in rematch games the year after his team lost.  The revenge is what the Aggies should be worried about, not the bye week. 

So what will it take for the Aggies to beat the Crimson Tide?

First, Alabama has a young offensive line, with 3 starters going to the NFL.  They are vulnerable to blitz and pressure, specifically up the middle of the O-line.  It would benefit Texas A&M to blitz and change defensive sets to confuse the blocking strategies for a young Alabama offense.

 

Second, Texas A&M needs to take away Alabama’s traditionally successful running game.  They need to force AJ McCarron and Alabama to become one-dimensional and throw the ball!  Texas A&M can't allow 65+ yard touchdowns like they did against Sam Houston State this past weekend.  

Third, offensively Texas A&M needs to spread the Alabama defense out and force one on one matches.  They need to let Johnny throw into one-on-one coverage or let him use his legs to gain yardage when the Alabama coverage takes away the pass.  Manziel is a mobile quarterback, which has served as a threat to the Alabama defense in the past.  

 Johnny needs to produce numbers like he did last year in the game that ultimately gave him the title, "Johnny Football".  Texas A&M started off the game with 20 points in the first quarter.  Johnny threw for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns as well as running for 92 more yards.  That needs to happen again.  

Lastly, Texas A&M needs to remain a team!  It’s not all about one guy on or off the field.  They need to make sure they work together against a powerhouse team like Alabama.  This is their first true test of the season and they can’t fall apart. 

This Texas A&M vs. Alabama rematch is sure to be a wonderful game and live up to the hype.  Though this game is much earlier in the season, it's going to tell a lot about what's to come.  The winner of this game has a huge chance of making it not only to the SEC Championship Game, but also to the BCS National Championship!

Who do you think will win the rematch?  How are they going to do it?

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I'm off to Penn State for the weekend!  This will be my first official game at Beaver Stadium.  I went to Blue/White weekend (the spring game) as a junior in high school when my mom was shamelessly trying to persuade me to go there.  Her dream has come true as my youngest sister is currently a freshman at Penn State.  Here's something I never thought I'd say... WE ARE...  no, I just can't!

 

Linking up with Erin & Erin for Football Friday as well as Sarah for Fan Friday!