Paul Finebaum believes we'll know everything we need to know about Alabama after Texas A&M game
The pins are lined up for Alabama. Now, it simply has to roll a strike. During an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Paul Finebaum claimed the SEC West is Alabama’s to lose.
“It is for now. It can change in a week. I think that’s just how fluid the West is,” Finebaum said. “We always knew [Alabama-Texas A&M] was going to be one of those defining games for Alabama… This looked like the toughest game of the year on the road and I think it’s still does.”
As of today, Alabama sits atop the SEC West with Texas A&M right next to it. Entering the halfway point of the season, it’s already been a long journey for the Crimson Tide. After a loss in Week 2 against Texas, Alabama benched quarterback Jalen Milroe for QB options Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson.
The plan was a failure. The pair looked worse than Milroe, defeating a subpar USF team 17-3. With No. 15 Ole Miss waiting, head coach Nick Saban returned Milroe his starting spot. The redshirt sophomore didn’t let the moment go to waste.
Milroe completed 17-of-his-21 pass attempts for 225 yards and a touchdown in the Crimson Tide’s 24-10 win over the Rebels. While Milroe wasn’t perfect, he was a step in the right direction. Alabama verified this fact on Saturday with a 40-17 victory over Mississippi State.
Despite the team’s obvious improvement, Finebaum still isn’t sure if Alabama has reached its potential.
“I’m still baffled by the by the Ole Miss game, I think that possibly was a little bit of an outlier,” Finebaum said. “Alabama has come a long way in three weeks, but I’m not convinced. You know how good this team is.
“They’re superb on the defensive side. I think the offensive is still developing. But next Monday, I think we’ll know. We’ll know what all we need to know about Alabama.”
Texas A&M will test Alabama
Texas A&M will be a formidable opponent. After falling to Miami in Week 2, the Aggies have rattled off three-straight wins, most recently defeating Arkansas in convincing fashion. Texas A&M’s defensive pressure has been especially impressive, tallying 13 sacks already this season.
The Aggies will undoubtedly challenge Milroe. Nonetheless, Saban believes in his QB.
“He’s building more confidence every day. I think he’s played better in each game. And I think he’ll continue to do that as he gets experience,” Saban said. “As he gets more comfortable understanding defense, he’ll be able to make quicker decisions and he’ll be fine.”
Alabama and Texas A&M will face off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on CBS.