BOL Round Table

thanks I will give him the update... I need to investigate my sources better..

Aubrey,

I never want to see a player injured, regardless of team, but how would your offense look with a qb other than JF running the show?

That's a great question. Jameill Showers is actually a more accurate passer and has a stronger arm than Manziel. He can also move around a bit (he's no Manziel in that regard though.) If Showers went in the game the offense would look much more like your typical air raid team (like West Virginia) than the Johnny Football show that it is with him in the game.

Obviously though losing Manziel would probably be a massive crushing blow, but it's hard to say that 100% because Showers has never taken a meaningful snap.

I think A&M's biggest advantage is their running game out of the spread offense. It's going to be something that Alabama really hasn't defended this year. I know they've done it in the past against teams like Florida, but this isn't the same Alabama defense as those were, and we haven't really see what they can do against it. That's not to say they won't do well, but I think it's more likely that A&M gets the running game going than Manziel winning the game through the air.

More specifically, A&M's biggest advantage might be just sheer surprise early in the game. They took LSU by storm early on and really should have been ahead by more before LSU ever adjusted.

Alabama's biggest advantage is really their running game also. Yeldon and Lacy have the potential to just decimate the A&M defense if the A&M offense can't put pressure on Alabama.

Score prediction??

I've gone back and forth on this a few times, but I think A&M is going to get out quick on offense. I also think that they'll hold on to the ball in this game better than they did against LSU (obviously they're probably not going to win if they turn it over four times.)

I also think A&M will be able to move the ball reasonably well for most of the game.

To me this game comes down to really whether or not A&M can punch the ball into the endzone when they get a chance. Their kicking game has been terribly inconsistent this season, and there's no way they can rely on getting three points. So that's yet another challenge they have to overcome.

I do think A&M keeps the game inside the spread, and I think the issue will still be in doubt in the fourth quarter, but I think Alabama is probably going to win by 7-10 or so ultimatey. But if A&M can press this game into the fourth quarter and take a chance you never know what could happen.

How is your punter and field goal kicker? Also how have you guys done in the return game?

The punter has been good this season, which has been a pleasant surprise for the Aggies, that was a major concern heading into the season. Their kicker has just been gloriously inconsistent though. He's literally as likely to make a 50 yard field goal as he is a 35 yarder. He has a strong leg, but you just never know where it's going.

A&M's punt returner is good statistically, but that's because he had about 1600 return yards against South Carolina State and earlier in the season. He's been solid against good teams, but not anything special.

The kick returner is something to watch though. Trey Williams, who I'm sure you recruiting gurus remember was a five star last year, has been close to breaking one all season and he almost got one against LSU. He took a kick back all the way back to the 14 that set A&M up for a potential go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, but A&M's offense didn't capitalize and then they missed a field goal.

I realized as I hit "post" that that might be disrespectful a bit to Auburn, but that game was over like 10 minutes in.

And the Barn Nation says, "OUCH!!!"