“How bad do you want to do this?”
That was coach Nick Saban’s halftime message for his Alabama football team Saturday afternoon at Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide had staggered the Aggies with a pair of early interceptions for touchdowns, giving Alabama a 28-6 lead, but a 68-yard Christian Kirk punt return late in the second quarter got the hosts within 28-13 at intermission.
An Alabama turnover early in the third quarter allowed Texas A&M to get within 28-20, but the Crimson Tide returned a third interception for a score and pulled away for a 41-23 triumph. Alabama improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 within the Southeastern Conference entering this week’s visit from longtime rival Tennessee.
“Don’t doubt Bama,” sophomore left tackle Cam Robinson told reporters. “We’ve done so well in the past that if we lose one game, everybody says, ‘Something’s wrong. Is the dynasty over?’ No. We come out the next week, move forward and continue to play Alabama football.”
The Crimson Tide moved up Sunday to No. 8 in both The Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.