Before turning the attention to Ole Miss and a trip to Lane Kiffin’s place, let’s take one final look back at Alabama’s 52-24 win over Texas A&M.
We do this every Sunday evening, so let’s get right to our observations from rewatching the DVR version of the game from the CBS broadcast.
— If you were curious, the sideline camera angles that capture the live game action were in a different place this fall. When the press box was moved to the east side of the stadium for luxury suites, the perch where the main cameras were located was also removed. So the new location was in the front row of the upper deck so the angle was looking down a little more than previously.
— With the specialists, Chase Allen handled six of the kickoffs while Will Reichard had the other three. None of those nine were returned.
— There were a few key missed tackles in the Alabama secondary early on. Safety Jordan Battle missed an open-field tackle on the tight end on the first drive that allowed him to pick up a first down. The Daniel Wright miss later in the quarter led to Ainias Smith’s 47-yard touchdown.
— Najee Harris longest run of the day was his first, a 6-yarder off the left end of the line. Texas A&M held him to 43 yards on 12 runs and Nick Saban had an explanation for that. He said the Aggies were loading up to stop the run all day, a decision that could also partially explain why the deep passing game was open so many times.
— There’s also no question who the No. 3 receiver is after John Metchie’s big day. Five catches for 181 yards and two deep touchdowns actually pushed him ahead of DeVonta Smith in the yardage category. Metchie has half as many total catches with seven but his 223-yard total in two games is better than Smith’s 152.
— Jaylen Waddle had his first punt return opportunity in the five times Tide opponents have punted. The national leader from a year ago got 11 yards before getting bumped out of bounds. More notable, Missouri and A&M combined for just five punts in two games Alabama won handily. The Tide punted five times total as well.
— Mac Jones was looking for Harris on the pass that got intercepted and the RB appeared to have room if not for the tipped pass. Jones just forced the ball with pressure in his face.
— It’s also worth noting the three passing touchdowns Alabama’s allowed this year came exclusively to tight ends and running backs.
— On a similar note, only three true wide receivers have caught passes this year — Smith, Waddle and Metchie. The others with catches in the first two games include RB Harris, TE Miller Forristall, RB Brian Robinson and RB Trey Sanders.
— The only time Alabama’s been tied all season came with a decent response. After going 3-and-out knotted at 14, the Tide defense forced the same with three touchdowns coming in the final 10 minutes of the quarter. It’s worth remembering Jones responded with impressive touchdown drives after both interceptions thrown at Auburn last year. After throwing three straight incompletions, Jones finished the half 9-for-10.
— It was clear Harris wanted to show he was a threat in the passing game as he explained in an interview with Reggie Bush. He said he looks for one-on-one coverage with a linebacker, which he got on the wheel route to set up Alabama’s third TD. Middle LB Buddy Johnson couldn’t keep pace with Harris who adjusted well in the air to make the catch. Josh Jacobs was the best down-field receiving running back in recent memory and Harris is making his play to reach that level.
— Alabama did a good job pressuring Kellen Mond on third downs before halftime. The Aggies were 2-for-7 on third downs when the game was still close and the Tide mixed pressures to get there. Mond wasn’t sacked but seven different Alabama defenders recorded QB hurries.
— Mond had just thrown the same direction on a similar throw the play before Wright intercepted the pass he returned for a touchdown.
— The DeVonta Smith tight-rope touchdown at the end of the half brought back memories of his diving TD catch against Texas A&M two years ago in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Both had thin margins for error and Smith navigated each for scores.
— Alabama’s offense came out a little flat after halftime with a three-and-out, then three penalties in the first four snaps of the second one. Saban in the past said he was sometimes hesitant to take the ball after halftime because he knows there can be a sluggish response coming out of the locker room and it appeared that way Saturday. An 87-yard touchdown pass to Waddle snapped things into form fairly well, however.
— The 450 total yards allowed didn’t sit well with Alabama’s defense, but context is important. After tying the game on a one-play, 17-yard field, Texas A&M had three more drives in the first half that netted 7, 10 and 40 yards respectively. The second one was the INT returned for a touchdown by Wright. A&M had four decent drives in the second half after Alabama took a 35-14 lead. The Aggie drives after halftime when the visitors out-gained Alabama 232-230.
- 12 plays, 40 yards, FG
- 12 plays, 52 yards, turnover on downs at Alabama 23
- 7 plays, 75 yards, TD
- 8 plays, 60 yards, INT
— It was also clear Alabama wanted to rest its defense in the fourth quarter after quick-strike TDs followed longer Texas A&M drives so there was a steady dose of Brian Robinson.
— Alabama kicker Will Reichard is 2-for-2 on field goals this season with makes from 34 and 27.
— Dylan Moses turned around like he was expecting some support over the top when RB Ainias Smith caught his second TD of the game in the fourth quarter. Alabama’s first two opponents have a 20-13 scoring edge in the fourth quarters of games well out of hand.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
