Ad Disclosure
No. 10 Alabama is in College Station to take on No. 9 Texas A&M this weekend and no matter what happens it’s going to have a big impact on the SEC West race and the College Football Playoff. The Aggies are looking at what could potentially be their best season since 2012 when Johnny Manziel led Texas A&M to a Cotton Bowl victory and a No. 5 finish in the AP poll. That season featured a victory against Alabama, and if A&M can pull it off again it has an opportunity to rise to heights previously unreached by coach Kevin Sumlin with the Aggies. Here’s a look at five impact players who will be key to making it happen for Texas A&M on Saturday.
1. RB Tra Carson — Carson comes in having gained more than 100 yards from scrimmage in three of five games, and the Aggies need at least a solid performance in the running game to take the pressure off quarterback Kyle Allen. Carson (6-foot-1, 240 pounds) is a big, powerful back and might be able to grind out yards against the Crimson Tide’s physical front seven.
2. DE Myles Garrett — There might not be a more talented defensive player in the country, and as important as it is for the Aggies to keep pressure off Allen, it’s going to be equally important to get it on Alabama quarterback Jake Coker. Garrett is a sack machine with an SEC-best 7.5 already this season, and his presence makes it easier for the rest of the loaded A&M defensive line to get into the backfield. If Alabama’s coaching staff can figure out a way to keep Garrett under control, it changes the complexion of the game, but nobody has really figured it out to date.
3. WR Christian Kirk — This game might help settle the debate over the best freshman wide receiver in the SEC. Alabama fans can make a case for Calvin Ridley, but the Crimson Tide has shown an ability to win even if Ridley doesn’t have a big game. The Aggies need production from Kirk, in both the passing game and as a return man, each time out. Kirk has been sensational and will gain the attention of Alabama’s talented secondary. Kirk is capable of making the big play that could turn the momentum.
4. WR Josh Reynolds — With Kirk joining the mix in an already loaded receiving corps, Reynolds has taken a bit of a step back statistically this season with 18 catches for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns so far. But he’s coming off his two best performances of the season including 7 catches for 141 yards against Mississippi State. But Alabama essentially shut him down last season when he set the school record for touchdown receptions. If he produces, the Aggies have a much better shot at winning.
5. DB Donovan Wilson — The Aggies have been notoriously bad at forcing turnovers the past two seasons, but that has improved a bit in 2015 thanks mostly to the sophomore defensive back. Wilson has 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He’s also the 3rd-leading tackler with 29. The team that wins Saturday is likely the one that wins the turnover margin, and Wilson might be the Aggies’ best bet at taking the ball away.
Shane Mettlen is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Texas A&M, Missouri and Alabama.
