Nick Saban reveals game plan against Texas A&M pass rush

Texas A&M enters Saturday’s matchup against Alabama with one of the SEC’s most devastating pass rushes. Given the Crimson Tide’s struggles up front and under center — the Aggie’s front seven could be Alabama’s undoing this weekend in College Station.

Unless, Nick Saban has a plan that involves a bit of up-tempo offense.

“I think we have got to do a much better job of having a firm pocket and protecting the quarterback against really good pass rushers,” Saban said on Wednesday. “I also think it’s important that we get the ball out of our hand on time so that we don’t give them an opportunity to affect us.

“So, it’s really a combination of both — and it’s a combination of the receivers getting open, playing fast, so that we can make quick decisions about what we do and how we get rid of the ball.”

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has been sacked 15 times through four starts, eight of which have come over the past two weeks.

He’ll be facing up against a defense boasted the No. 2 sacking defense (20) in the SEC. Milroe will be calling the shots up against three different Aggie pass rushers that have at least three sacks a piece heading into the matchup. 6-foot-4, 290-pound DL Shemar Turner is tied for fourth in the conference with 4.0 sacks on the year, while former No. 1 overall recruit Walter Nolen and LB Edgerrin Cooper have 3.0 each as well.

In that case, expect offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to utalize the quick game to his advantage. A dink-and-dunk tempo eliminates Turner, Nolen and the rest of the defensive front from the equation, but it’s still on the Alabama receivers to make a play — something that is easier said than done in Tuscaloosa these days.

Four members of the Alabama receiving corps have surpassed the 100 receiving yard mark through five games. Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond lead the wat with 189 and 179 receiving yards, respectively with a combined three touchdowns on the year.

The other two are tight ends — so guys like Kobe Prentice and — if allowed — Ja’Corey Brooks have potential opportunities to put themselves in the conversation to earn some extended minutes with this type of game plan.

Kickoff between the two SEC West powers is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET live on CBS. Alabama, the road team, is a 1.5-point betting favorite, per Vegas Insider.