COLLEGE STATION – Two third quarter touchdown passes by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to wide receiver Jermaine Burton led the Crimson Tide to a 26-20 win over Texas A&M (4-2) in front of the third-largest crowd in Kyle Field history. Alabama (5-1) trailed 17-10 at halftime as the Aggies defensive front terrorized Milroe and the Crimson Tide for four sacks in the first half. The noise in Kyle Field forced five false starts by Alabama in the first half. 

The Texas A&M offense went quiet in the second half. The Aggies scored 17 points and gained 203 yards in the first half. They only managed three points and 103 yards in the second half. Alabama outscored Texas A&M 14-0 in a pivotal third quarter as the Crimson Tide outgained the Aggies 149 to 44. 

Milroe completed 21 of 33 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Burton caught nine passes for 197 yards and two touchdown catches. The Crimson Tide only ran for 23 yards on 26 carries. Texas A&M recorded six sacks and eight tackles for loss. Max Johnson threw for 239 yards and a touchdown. Ainias Smith led the team with four catches for 88 yards. Jake Johnson caught the Aggies’ only touchdown catch. 

THREE THOUGHTS 

Conservative calls cost Aggies: Handing the playbook over to Bobby Petrino doesn’t do the Aggies any good if head coach Jimbo Fisher prevents Texas A&M from playing to win. The head coach coached not to lose, and that is exactly what happened. The Aggies punted three times in Alabama territory, including early in the fourth quarter on fourth-and-one. Alabama went down the field and scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on the ensuring drive.

Fisher then elected to kick a field goal on fourth-and-five deep in Bama territory later in the fourth quarter when his team was down seven points. The field goal was blocked. With 2:11 left in the game and down nine, the Aggies then reached the two yard line on third down and called a timeout. Instead of going for a touchdown, Texas A&M kicked another field goal. Kicking the field goal wasn’t the biggest sin except that the Aggies only had two timeouts because Fisher used one before the play. 

The tightness exhibited by Fisher permeated through the entire team, especially the offense. The Aggies only ran 26 plays in the second half. Johnson was 6 of 11 for 88 yards through the air after attempting 15 passes in the first half. They were 3:1 pass to run on first down in the first two quarters, but 3:2 run to pass on first down in the second half. Alabama recorded four sacks and held Texas A&M to 15 rushing yards in the second half. 

Missed opportunities: The game was there for Texas A&M to win. Most fans and onlookers will point to Fisher’s conservatism – rightfully – after the game, but even with those decisions, Texas A&M had a chance to win. Up 17-10 and with momentum after a Bryce Anderson interception with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, the Aggies could’ve created a two-score separation and forced Alabama into true adversity. Instead, Johnson threw an interception on the ensuing drive to set up the first touchdown connection between Milroe and Burton. By the time the fourth quarter started, the Aggies were down 24-17. Texas A&M also allowed a safety and had a field goal blocked in the fourth quarter.

This was a beatable Crimson Tide squad. Alabama couldn’t run the ball and went into halftime with 10 points. Any real output from the Aggie offense could’ve created enough separation to put the Crimson Tide out of their offensive comfort zone, but Texas A&M couldn’t lay the hammer down when opportunities presented themselves. That is the difference right now between SEC championship contending teams like Alabama and the next tier led by Texas A&M – the Crimson Tide win these games by hook or by crook. Texas A&M tends to lose them. 

The Wrecking Crew did enough to win: D.J. Durkin’s defense performed well for the third SEC game in three tries. The Aggies recorded six sacks on Saturday to bring their three-game SEC total to 20. The group had 19 in 12 games last season. They’ve now posted 38 tackles for loss in three conference games. The defensive line led by Walter Nolen and Fadil Diggs and linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Taurean York give the Aggies a formidable front seven. Cooper recorded 11 tackles and three sacks. Even when sack adjusted, the Crimson Tide averaged 3.3 yards a run. 

The problem is the secondary. Texas A&M led the nation in pass defense a year ago while the rushing defense struggled. The opposite is true in 2023. Alabama isn’t a great passing team, but it was the air attack that earned the win. Milroe threw for 321 yards and made big completion after big completion down the stretch. He was 13 of 19 for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. It was the secondary that was torched in the Week 2 loss to Miami, as well.