ESPN FPI predicts Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Alabama in Week 8

Texas A&M took care of business in Week 7, earning its second shutout win of the season after defeating The Citadel 41-0 behind 264 rushing yards and three touchdowns from sophomore RB Jamarion Morrow. With freshman back KJ Edwards adding 116 rushing yards, the Aggie offense needs to keep a "ground and pound" approach, especially if redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed remains the starter.

On defense, Texas A&M didn't have to do much, as the Bulldogs barely attempted to throw the ball, running 47 times for 140 yards, resulting in a one-dimensional attack that didn't require defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill to scheme up pressure, just needing to stop the run and tackle in space, which was accomplished.

The SEC experienced its most chaotic week in what feels like a decade-plus, as No. 1 Georgia, No. 7 Texas, and Texas A&M's next opponent, Alabama, lost at home and on the road, resulting in a seismic shift in the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25.

As I stated above, Texas A&M will head to Tuscaloosa for the first time since the 2022 season to face Alabama, and after an impressive start to the year against bad defenses, sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell has passed for just 185 yards against Georgia (loss) and 147 yards and an interception during Saturday's loss at Tennessee.

Still, expectations are that the former five-star prospect will rebound at home against Texas A&M's respectable but beatable defense, especially given the Aggies' pass-rush issues. The Aggies enter the week as 15.5-point underdogs, and ESPN FPI gives Texas A&M a 16.5% chance to defeat Alabama (83.5%).

Texas A&M will face Alabama on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and ABC will carry the game.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN FPI predicts Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Alabama in Week 8