Less than a day and a half from now, the curtain will have fallen on the Alabama-Texas A&M mega-rematch, one of the most hyped regular season matchups of at least the last decade -- especially to those who have already forgotten the ‘Bama-LSU clashes the past couple of seasons.
Regardless, it’s easily the most highly-anticipated regular-season matchup of 2013, with storylines ranging from Johnny Manziel looking to repeat his 2012 coming-out party to the Tide seeking to avenge its only loss from its second straight title-winning season. Already the highest-priced ticket for a regular season college football game in history, some that cover the television side of sports expect the game to attract a record number of eyeballs.
It’s being hyped as must-see TV, and rightly so giving the recent past between the two schools and the potential future BCS ramifications for each.
Since even Charles Barkley is offering up a quasi-prediction, we here at CFT figured we’d do the same. So, without any further or unnecessary ado, here’s how Chris, Kevin and I see the instant classic shaking out.
And, as if you needed any prompting, flame away in the comments section -- and offer up your own predictions that can be openly mocked as well.
CHRIS HOUSTON
The take: With the Tide having an extra week to prepare, I can’t see a repeat of last year happening, when the Aggies jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead. Instead, I see this as a back-and-forth slugfest that will be close most of the way, with the winner being the team that can produce the most explosive plays during crunch time. Alabama will run the ball well with TJ Yeldon and keep it away from Johnny Manziel just enough to prevent him from dominating the game. This one should go down to the wire, with the Tide holding off the Aggies in the end.
The prediction: Alabama 27, Texas A&M 24
KEVIN MCGUIRE
The take: Neither team comes in to this game looking to have much of an advantage on the line, but given an extra week to correct the shortcomings we saw against Virginia Tech should bode well for Alabama. Much has been made about how important it is for Alabama to have Nick Saban get an extra week to prepare, and I suspect that does come in to play, but just how much will this defense be able to slow down Johnny Manziel? Manziel will have to be Superman once again, and he is capable of being just that, but I can’t imagine Alabama digs a hole the way did last year when Manziel and the Aggies stunned them early in Tuscaloosa. Neither team runs away with this one, but I think Alabama picks up their revenge this time around.
The prediction: Alabama 27, Texas A&M 23
JOHN TAYLOR
The take: For me, it’s “simple.” Alabama’s defense plus the revenge aspect -- elephants never forget, right? -- plus Nick Saban and his coaching staff having an entire offseason to get a handle on Texas A&M’s offense trumps the raucous Kyle Field homefield advantage and the electrifying playmaking of Johnny Manziel. It won’t be easy for the Tide -- I can see a kicker deciding it late (shudders on both sides) -- but it’ll be a markedly different outcome for the two-time defending BCS champions than it was 10 months ago; having it come on the road, after being beaten in their house last November, will make it all the sweeter.
The prediction: Alabama 30, Texas A&M 27