Five players to watch when Texas A&M plays Alabama

Texas A&M is reeling coming off a disappointing 42-21 loss to Mississippi State and faces their toughest test, likely of the season, on Saturday in top-ranked Alabama. Both teams enter the contest with questions at quarterback after Alabama star Bryce Young and Texas A&M starter Max Johnson both suffered injuries last week. If neither is able to play, the Crimson Tide will turn to redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe, a former Texas A&M target who hails from Katy (Tex.) Tompkins, while the Aggies will turn to either veteran Haynes King or freshman Conner Weigman.

Regardless, this matchup likely won’t be decided by the quarterback on either side. Texas A&M has had their struggles on both sides of the ball this year, and will need to play their best game, on both sides of the ball, to have a chance against the No. 1 team in the country. The Crimson Tide are not without flaws though and in order for the Aggies to pull off the upset for the second year in a row, they’ll need big performances from these five players.

Devon Achane

In the Aggies’ upset win over Alabama last year, Achane had 175 all-purpose yards, including an electric 96-yard kick return for a touchdown. This year, given the questions around Max Johnson’s status, Devon Achane, who’s practically carried Texas A&M’s offense through five weeks will have an even bigger load on his shoulders. Alabama’s defense let up 187 rushing yards to Arkansas last week and Achane’s speed is unlike anything that unit has faced all year. A big performance from the speedster on Saturday could lead to another upset win.

Moose Muhammad

Texas A&M needed a wide receiver to step up in Ainias Smith’s absence and though the Aggies fell, Muhammad did just that against Mississippi State, leading the team with 119 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. Last year, Jimbo Fisher threw the kitchen sink at Alabama, and it should be expected that the Aggies’ head man has some tricks up his sleeve for the Crimson Tide this time around. If Muhammad can replicate his performance against the Bulldogs this upcoming weekend, it certainly won’t hurt the Aggies’ chances at pulling off the upset.

Edgerrin Cooper

Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Alabama, Edgerrin Cooper will have to be a key factor on Saturday for Texas A&M to have a shot. His ability to cover running backs and tight ends, paired with his ability to rush the passer can help the Aggies’ defense cause problems, but he’ll have to be on his game, matched up against Alabama’s formidable running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and Jase McClellan. The Aggies used Cooper as a spy on Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson in the win over the Razorbacks, and if the Crimson Tide have to start Jalen Milroe, who rushed for 91 yards, including a 77 rushing touchdown last week, he’ll likely be called upon to keep the redshirt freshman from hurting the Aggies on the ground.

Rueben Fatheree/Trey Zuhn

Texas A&M’s offensive line on the whole has had some struggles this season, but offensive tackles Rueben Fatheree and Trey Zuhn have steadily improved week-to-week after a slow start to the year. On Saturday, both will face their toughest tests yet, going up against two of the best edge rushers in the country in Will Anderson and Dallas Turner. Fatheree kept Anderson at bay in last year’s win, and there’s no doubt that Anderson remembers that. It’s clear he’s taking this game personally and will look to wreak havoc on an already struggling Texas A&M offense. If Zuhn and Fatheree do their part to hold off Alabama’s pass rush, it will make a life a whole lot easier for the Aggies’ offense.

Fadil Diggs

Texas A&M struggled to pressure Will Rogers and on the season, Texas A&M’s defense has recorded just six sacks through five games. The leader along the defensive line has been Fadil Diggs, both on and off the field, but he’s yet to record a sack this season. Against an Alabama offensive line that has had their own struggles this season, Diggs and the Aggies’ young pass rushers will have an opportunity to make life difficult for the Crimson Tide front.