Alabama Football: 5 Keys to the Game vs. Texas A&M

Fresh off of their narrow and gut wrenching escape from LSU, the Alabama Crimson Tide now face the task of refocusing for a tough tilt with Texas A&M.

Alabama was very fortunate to get out of Baton Rouge relatively unscathed. Unfortunately, a pretty formidable opponent stands in their way just seven days later.

Texas A&M has earned a lot of respect in its first SEC campaign.

Head coach Kevin Sumlin has his team in line and believing what he is selling. Freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel has deservedly garnered national attention.

The Aggies are the only legitimate threat to an undefeated regular season left for the Tide at this point and any hopes of a second consecutive national title must pass this test.

Here are five things Alabama must do in order to add an Aggie-sized notch to its 2012 belt.

Make the Aggies Understand Who They Are and Where They Are

Texas A&M has put together a commendable season this fall.

Aside from losses to Florida and LSU, they have cruised through most of their games and are scoring points at a rate that ranks them fourth in the nation.

That said, who have they played on the road?

The Aggies most difficult SEC road game thus far was a trip to Auburn.

They didn't get to see Cam Newton's Auburn. They got the revamped Gene Chizik Auburn, and summarily throttled the Tigers 63-21.

It is important for Alabama to set the tone early and make sure the Aggies understand that they are in Tuscaloosa, Alabama rather than Lawrence, Kansas and the SEC plays SEC football whether you want to or not.

If this game becomes a shooting match, the Aggies will feel quite at home and have a very realistic chance of knocking off the Tide.

But if Alabama can impose its will and leave the Aggies no doubt as to where they are, Alabama should be in good shape.

This will be the first true SEC road test for Texas A&M and Alabama needs to make it one that Sumlin and his men will never forget.

Regain Confidence

No matter how well the Alabama players are coached and how much they believe in themselves, the first time a kid gets his confidence sliced up in a wood chipper it leaves a scar.

This is what LSU did to the Tide last week. LSU beat Alabama up and down the field for most of the night.

LSU won on the offensive and defensive lines. LSU won in the air and on the ground. Fortunately, Alabama won on the scoreboard.

Alabama found itself in a dogfight that night for the first time in a year. After rolling right through every opponent in 20 of its last 21 games, Alabama was not totally prepared for the fight it found itself in.

When time comes for the opening kickoff on Saturday, Alabama must forget about LSU and get back to business. The players must remember that it is Alabama who is ranked atop the BCS standings and play accordingly.

Any scars in the form of shaken confidence or self doubt that remain from last week must be dismissed. If Alabama can do this, it will be another banner day at Bryant-Denny.

Get Back to Business on Third Downs

Alabama has made a living on third down in the Nick Saban era.

The Tide routinely converts on third downs at a rate that nears the best in the nation. Defensively, Alabama is typically among the best in the country at minimizing its opponents' conversions.

Against LSU, Alabama was just 1-9 on third downs while LSU converted on 10-20. If this does not improve dramatically, Manziel will eat the Tide alive.

The game plan is simple. On offense, run the ball into short yardage situations on third down. On defense, make them convert on third and long.

Offensively, this should be a manageable task for the Tide. But defensively, as good as Alabama is, the Aggies can do it all and will test the Tide's mettle every chance they get.

If this game is to go the way of the Tide, Alabama will have to win the third down battle.

Slow the Game Down

Texas A&M is fourth in the nation in offensive plays per game with an average of 84. To put this in perspective, they run more plays than Oregon. Alabama, on the other hand is ranked 118th with an average of just 65.

Defensively, Alabama is second nationally, allowing just 63 plays per game while the Aggies are near the bottom of the nation in allowing just over 78 plays per game.

Somewhere, the line is going to be drawn. The secret to beating the Tide is in scoring more than 20 on them. The Aggies would love nothing more than to turn this game into an up-and-down race. Alabama obviously wants to do the opposite.

The more Alabama can slow this game down, the more it will wear down the Aggies and take them out of their game. Conversely, the Aggies can take it to the Tide by running and gunning.

Alabama is a heavy favorite in this game partly because most experts think that Alabama will be able to dictate the speed of the game. If the Tide can indeed do this, it will be a good afternoon in Tuscaloosa. If not, look out.

Make 'Johnny Football" Choose

Johnny Manziel leads the SEC in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season and is averaging almost seven yards per attempt. He's a quarterback.

He is third in the conference in passing yards per game, throwing the ball an average of 33 times every time he takes the field.

Alabama will struggle to totally shut him down. He is the type of player that Alabama expected to face in Michigan's Denard Robinson.

Manziel is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic players in the nation and the Tide must decide what it is going to take away. If Manziel has success both on the ground and through the air, A&M will be able to dictate the speed of the game and Alabama is in trouble.

Surely coach Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will have their team prepared for this, but the players will have to successfully execute the game plan.

If Alabama can force Manziel into early mistakes and confuse him with multiple looks, Manziel will struggle. But if he is able to pick and choose what he wants to do, Alabama will be in a four quarter war for the second consecutive week.