The top-ranked Alabama football team is coming off back-to-back blowout victories heading into Saturday’s trip to Texas A&M, but there are always questions to answer. Here are four of them:
1. Can the Crimson Tide keep it up?
Alabama has given up more than 10 points in a game just once. And the offense is starting to roll under first-year coordinator Brian Daboll, with UA scoring 59 points at Vanderbilt two weekends ago and topping that by dropping 66 on Ole Miss. Those margins of victory are almost incomprehensible, but Alabama might have what it takes to continue to dominate.
2. Will Alabama ever turn the ball over?
So far, the Crimson Tide hasn’t thrown an interception nor lost a fumble through five games. It has to happen sooner or later. Or does it? Alabama wants to play to a standard, and ball protection is a big part of Nick Saban’s process. So far, the UA offense has embraced that aspect.
3. How will UA deal with Christian Kirk?
Texas A&M has a game-breaking talent in Kirk, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound ball of speed from Scottsdale, Arizona. He has churned out 592 all-purpose yards in five games. Kirk is a threat as a receiver, a returner and even as a runner. The Aggies will want to get the ball in his hands, and Alabama will need a plan to contain him.
4. What challenges will this road environment present?
Alabama has played a neutral-site game in Atlanta, but Mercedes-Benz Stadium was hardly hostile. And UA fans outnumbered Vanderbilt supporters in Nashville. Kyle Field will be louder and less friendly, and the Aggies will be energized by the crowd if they get any momentum. This will be UA’s first true road test.
