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No. 2 Alabama has a 99.9% chance of beating New Mexico State on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Further, the Aggies (1-8) enter Bryant-Denny Stadium as a 51.5 point underdog.
However, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said his team needs to focus on their individual performances, like that of Heisman candidate Bryce Young.
Saban: New Mexico State a ‘Dangerous Team’
The Aggies are one of seven independent teams in the FBS. Gator fans may remember defeating them 61-13 back in 2015. Additionally, their sole win of the 2021 season comes against South Carolina State.
Ahead of the matchup in Tuscaloosa, Saban described the Aggies as a dangerous team due to their passing offense.
Indeed, they’re ranked 23rd in passing yards per game with 278.4. Most of these yards come from JUCO-transfer quarterback Jonah Johnson.
Additionally, on the defensive end, Saban said New Mexico State applies a lot of pressure.
Alabama Right Now
The Crimson Tide pulled out a close game against LSU last Saturday, winning 20-14.
Game Nine Highlights: LSU#BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/SQITDvvNCD
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 9, 2021
Afterward, they remained No. 2 in the Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings.
https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1458260790516006916?s=20
By winning out the regular-season, the Tide assert themselves in a great position to secure a bid to the CFP. A SEC Championship victory would practically guarantee a berth, while a loss would leave many questions.
Though Alabama lost to Texas A&M on Oct. 9, quarterback Young has served as a bright spot this season.
QB1 Bryce Young
In his first season starting, sophomore Young has played his way into Heisman Trophy contention. He boasts the second-highest quarterback rating in the nation and ranks fourth for passing touchdowns with 28.
Overall, he’s led Alabama to the second-highest third down conversion rate, lagging behind only Coastal Carolina. Young hands off to the running back trio of Roydell Williams, Jase McClellan and lead-man Brian Robinson Jr. And on the sidelines, he watches the 11th-ranked Tide’s total defense.
Where to Watch
The game will broadcast live at noon on SEC Network.
