Rece Davis: Alabama matchup is Texas A&M's last stand

ESPN College GameDay‘s Rece Davis joined the Paul Finebaum Show to discuss the upcoming Week 6 slate of games, including No. 1 Alabama versus Texas A&M.

Davis described the matchup as a “last stand” moment for the Aggies’ 2022 season after already taking losses to App State and Mississippi State.

“It’s really a fascinating thing, it’s sort of like this is really a last gas, desperation moment for Texas A&M because after all the stuff that happened in the offseason and all the things that were said,” Davis said. “To come out the way A&M has, it’s one of the worst offenses in the country statistically and aesthetically. If they come out and get housed, what does it say about the trajectory of where they’re going?

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“This is a big moment, backed into the corner, have to fight moment… The health of Bryce Young is a big deal, the health of Texas A&M’s quarterback is a big deal. It’s sort of a last stand thing for Texas A&M because the season is already sideways, it could go into a full tailspin if they get blown out Saturday night.”

The game between the two SEC West rivals has lost some heat since Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher’s offseason clash. The Aggies started the season as the No. 6 team in the nation but they’re now 3-2 and coming off of an uninspiring 42-24 loss to the Bulldogs. Vegas oddsmakers have moved the spread for the game from -16 to -24 in favor of Bama.

Finebaum: Alabama doesn’t need Bryce Young to beat Texas A&M

When Alabama quarterback Bryce Young left Saturday’s game versus Arkansas, it threw the remainder of the Crimson Tide’s season into question. However, backup QB Jalen Milroe was able to go above and beyond to help the team improve to 5-0 on the year.

Paul Finebaum explained why he believes the No. 1 team in the nation can handle Texas A&M even if Young takes the week off.

“I think it went better than everyone thought at the moment of impact. I don’t know more than anyone else so if Nick Saban says it’s not a big deal then I don’t know any other way to interpret it,” Finebaum told Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic on Monday morning. “It’s always scary when he’s the most impactful player on the team. I would just sit him out this week.

“I don’t think they need Bryce to beat Texas A&M. To me, it’s the week after where he will be needed where everybody is expecting a scoring duel in Knoxville. If he’s able to play and he’s in good shape then I don’t mind playing him but it’s worthless to play Bryce Young versus Texas A&M. Alabama can beat Texas A&M with any number of quarterback combinations.”