Texas A&M (4-3, 1-3 SEC) and No. 13 Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC) will meet for the first time since the 2023 season, as the Aggies have beaten the Crimson Tide twice, both on the road in 2012, and in Kyle Field during the 2021 season, but failed to get the job done in close games in 2022 and 2023.
Under third-year coach Mike Elko, the Aggies have yet to face Alabama, who are coming off back-to-back losses to Georgia and Tennessee, as sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell has failed to throw for 200 yards in both games. Texas A&M is coming off a solid 41-0 shutout win over The Citadel, but beating an FCS team barely moves the needle for a rightfully frustrated fan base.
On paper, Alabama is the better team, given Keelon Russell's NFL-level arm strength and a defense packed with future high draft picks. However, Texas A&M's 27th-ranked scoring defense, 10th-ranked passing defense, and 11th-ranked 3rd-down defense will play a significant role throughout the contest.
Texas A&M's offense has been borderline dreadful for most of the season, especially in the passing game under first-year OC Holmon Wiggins and redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed, ranking 70th in scoring offense and 103rd in passing, while Alabama ranks higher in nearly every offensive category, but has not played like it in three weeks.
Texas A&M's running game, led by sophomore Jamarion Morrow and freshman KJ Edwards, needs to be the focus as it faces Alabama's 30th-ranked run defense, while Marcel Reed, or possibly backup QB Brady Hart, will need to take advantage of Alabama's 101st-ranked pass defense, also ranked 110th in explosive plays allowed.
Texas A&M will face Alabama on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and the game will air on ABC.
Texas A&M at Alabama by the numbers
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 21, 2026
Who wins on Saturday? pic.twitter.com/lkQ7D0VuTn
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Comparing Texas A&M and Alabama's strengths, weaknesses before Week 8