Young Aggies must avoid mistakes as well as the Alabama mystique

Records: Texas A&M 4-1, 2-0; Alabama 5-0, 2-0

Kickoff: 6:15 p.m. at Kyle Field

TV: ESPN

Line: Alabama -26.5

Weather: Sunny, high of 91, 10 percent chance of precipitation, Northwest wind 4 MPH 

Texas A&M junior tackle Kingsley Keke has advice for his youthful teammates on Saturday.

“Just relax. It’s another game,” Keke said. “Play the man. Not the logo.”

That’s easier said than done when the opponent is No. 1 ranked Alabama, which comes to Kyle Field unbeaten and having won its past two games by a 125-3 margin. A lot of things are easier said than done when facing the unbeaten Crimson Tide.

Identifying the keys to victory are easy.

Stop the run.

Limit big plays.

Minimize mistakes and turnovers.

In four straight losses to the Crimson Tide the Aggies (4-1) have not been very successful at any of those keys.

Alabama has rushed for at least 234 yards in every game, posted nine offensive scoring plays that covered 22 yards or more (seven of 37 yards or more) and has scored five defensive touchdowns.

Last season Jonathan Allen’s 30-yard touchdown on a fumble return broke open a close, competitive game and vaulted Alabama to a 33-14 victory.

“We played a really good game last year,” Keke recalled. “There was just some calls that happened that turned the game in their direction and that led to their momentum. We have to fix the little things and we’ll be fine.”

This year’s Aggies may be better equipped to face Alabama than perhaps some previous teams.

The Aggies are 15th in the nation in run defense. They’re 14th in rushing offense. They have big-play threats in running backs Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford, receiver Christian Kirk and emerging quarterback Kellen Mond.

Mond, who has made significant progress in recent weeks. He’s passed for 676 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 208 yards in the last three games. But Mond is among a half dozen (or more) freshmen that could be starting in the Aggies starting lineup.

Facing the Tide with a bunch of freshman is cause for concern. Many more experienced opponents often appear intimidated merely by Alabama’s mystique. The Aggies cannot afford to be in awe. They must play confident. They cannot play scared. They must have the same approach they had in wins over Arkansas and South Carolina.

Coach Kevin Sumlin said the will.

“Our approach will not change because of the opponent,” Sumlin said. “This team responds to getting a little bit better every week. We're at a point where we have an identity offensively.

“We have to continue to get better as teams hone in on us. Our running backs and offensive line have played very well at times. We need to keep getting better. That's where we are as a team.”

Will that be enough to overcome Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Bo Scarbrough, receiver Calvin Ridley, cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick and nose guard Da’Ron Payne?

Maybe. Maybe not. But the Aggies must be focused on them and not the name of their team.