Near Miss: 5 observations from Texas A&M’s 24-20 loss to No. 1 Alabama

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Vasha Hunt/AP/Shutterstock (13450034j) Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King (13) throws the ball against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala Texas A M Alabama Football, Tuscaloosa, United States – 08 Oct 2022

Near Miss: 5 observations from Texas A&M’s 24-20 loss to No. 1 Alabama

Defense is the best offense

Texas A&M’s defense came up with four takeaways for the Aggies. The Aggie offense was able to turn three of those four turnovers into points using a short field. On a night much like the others in the 2022 season, A&M’s offense struggled. The short field was undoubtedly appreciated, but not enough.

QB Haynes King returns after Max Johnson injury

Texas A&M started the season with Haynes King as their starting quarterback. He was benched after the upset loss to Appalachian State and replaced by LSU transfer QB Max Johnson. After being injured in last week’s game against Mississippi State, King was back in action to face #1 Alabama. The bad decision making continued.

While showing some areas of improvement, Haynes King continued to show he won’t be the one to get the job done in Aggieland. King finished the night in Tuscaloosa going 25/46 passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Achane never left the station- but Aggies Roll

Aggie running back Devon Achane had his least productive game since he’s been at Texas A&M when the A&M rolled into Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. Achane finished the evening rushing only 16 times for 62 yards (3.9 yards per carry). Was Achane given enough opportunities? The 12th Man may be wondering.

No Heisman QB, no problem

After an injury in last week’s game against Arkansas, Alabama’s Heisman winning quarterback Bryce Young was unable to play Saturday night against Texas A&M. Enter his replacement, Jalen Milroe. Milroe’s athleticism when running the ball was evident early and often against A&M. However, his arm was never going to win the game for Saban and the Crimson Tide. The future could be bright for the Katy, Texas native as he continues to learn from Nick Saban. In all reality, the young QB is lucky he didn’t cost his #1 team a loss on Saturday.

Milroe finished the matchup with A&M completing 12 of 19 passes for 111 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Rushing almost as many times as he passed, Milroe ran the ball 17 times against the Aggies for 83 yards but also provided two costly fumbles that kept the game close.

Saban has last laugh

One has to imagine that Alabama head coach Nick Saban is in his office tonight. Perhaps a nice scotch in hand? Smiling to himself as he reflects on Texas A&M’s head coach Jimbo Fisher and the comments he made earlier this year before the season. The offseason was full of verbal jabs between Jimbo and Nick, but the ultimate knockout punch was just delivered to the maroon and white by Nick Saban himself.

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