It was not supposed to be close. The Alabama Crimson Tide was supposed to roll over No. 15 ranked Texas A&M. After all the ‘Tide entered the game 13.5 point favorite and were playing at home. A week after a thrilling win against rival LSU the Tide was stunned by a new comer to the SEC as Texas A&M claimed a 29-24 victory.
Alabama will have to hope for some help if they are to have any chance at a National Championship. They still control their destiny in winning the SEC West.
Texas A&M scored 20 points in the first quarter and pressured Alabama all day. Alabama’s A.J. McCarrin did not top 200 yards passing until just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon were shut down. Yet Alabama was not about to give up.
In the fourth quarter, McCarrin found Amari Cooper for a 54 yard touchdown pass with 6:09 left to cut A&M’s lead to five.
A&M was forced to a three and out as the Alabama defense found a way to get to Johnny Manziel when it mattered. Getting the ball back Alabama launched another 54 pass from McCarron to Kenny Bell to get down by the goal line.
The A&M defense stopped Alabama on two run attempts before McCannon scrambled down to the two yard line on third down setting up a fourth-and-goal. On fourth-and-goal McCarron was intercepted by Deshazor Everett. Everett nearly intercepted McCarron on the previous Alabama drive but was unable to keep both feet in bounds.
McCarron who had went nearly 300 attempts without an interception threw two picks of the day.
A neutral zone infraction against Alabama once they had forced a fourth-and-one ended the ‘Tides perfect season.
“I couldn’t be happier for this team” said Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin in a post game interview.
Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel was 24-for-31 for 253 yards and two touchdowns though the air. He also ran for 92 yards and was selected as the player of the game.
