Reality Check for Bama

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There were several unanswered questions after Alabama’s lackluster performance in Baton Rouge a week ago.

*When LSU dominated the match-up in Tiger Stadium, was that just a fluke game for the Tide?

*Would Alabama’s real defense, the one supposedly better than a year ago, show up after the wake-up call in Death Valley?

*After that final drive against LSU, would quarterback AJ McCarron become the SEC’s realistic Heisman Trophy candidate?

*And, would Bama still prove itself to be the most legitimate contender for the national championship?

Those answers were loud and clear in Bryant-Denny Stadium against Texas A&M in the 29-24 loss on Saturday night.

No, no, no … and no.

For the second consecutive game, Alabama was outplayed from start to finish, but this time the team on the other side of the field didn’t have a coach who succeeded in giving the game away.

This time the other team had the best freshman quarterback to play college football in a long, long time and he succeeded in taking the game away.

Texas A&M provided a dose of reality to Alabama, scoring three times early before the Tide could find the end zone. Bama was the third consecutive SEC opponent to fall behind the Aggies by at least 20-0.

In the past two games, Alabama’s defense has given up 853 yards in total offense, and allowed LSU and Texas A&M to convert a combined 21 third down attempts. The Tigers and Aggies have completed 73 percent of their passes for 549 yards and have averaged 36 minutes in time of possession, 12 minutes per game more than Alabama.

Based on how Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia have played in their last two games, the Tide may be the third best team in their own division, and could go into the SEC Championship Game against Georgia as the underdog.

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