3 storylines for Alabama vs. Texas A&M in crucial SEC matchup

When the Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas A&M Aggies collide this Saturday in Tuscaloosa, it will officially mark the first time the two teams have met inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2022.

In addition to that, it will also mark the first time Alabama and Texas A&M have met overall since 2023. As a result, it will be Kalen DeBoer's first time facing the Aggies, with the Crimson Tide head coach doing so with Alabama sitting in a rare spot at the moment following back-to-back losses.

This season's matchup will feature an Alabama team ranked No. 13 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, while Texas A&M is unranked. Alabama sits at 5-2 overall (3-2 SEC), while Texas A&M is 4-3 (1-3).

Here are three Crimson Tide storylines to monitor ahead of Saturday's meeting between Alabama and Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa.

Can Alabama avoid a third consecutive loss?

After back-to-back losses against Georgia and Tennessee, Alabama now finds itself in a rare position where they will be facing a third consecutive defeat Saturday against Texas A&M. The last time Alabama lost three-straight games was back in 2007 under former head coach Nick Saban when the Crimson Tide dropper four consecutive to end his first regular season in Tuscaloosa.

Will Keelon Russell bounce back against Aggies?

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell simply struggled last Saturday in Knoxville by completing 19-of-29 passes for 147 yards and two interceptions, while also rushing for six yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts. Russell, who also fumbled once at Tennessee, will look to bounce back Saturday against the Aggies, but it will not be easy against a Texas A&M defense that is allowing the third-fewest passing yards to opponents per game in the SEC at 164.1.

Will any of Alabama's injured players be available?

As a team, Alabama is dealing with a number of injuries entering Week 8, some of which come to prominent starters on both sides of the ball. Both of Ryan Coleman-Williams and Terrance Green have already been ruled out, while the likes of Zabien Brown, Racin Delgatty, and EJ Crowell are all questionable as of Wednesday night, with the status of each something to monitor leading up to Saturday surrounding if any will play.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 3 storylines for Alabama vs. Texas A&M in crucial SEC matchup