When it comes to taking on the Crimson Tide, the New Mexico State Aggies had better batten down the hatches. 

After a successful 2017 campaign, the Aggies’ first winning season since 2002, NMSU went 3-9 for the third time in four seasons. One of the key reasons for its drop in success was the loss of its leading quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defender. This season, the Aggies return eight offensive starters and six defensive starters, but the players they lost had large roles on last year’s team. 

New Mexico State lost its first matchup of the season on Saturday, Aug. 31, falling 58-7 to No. 22 Washington State.  

CW / Joey Blackwell

On offense, the Aggies gained 221 yards, but turned the ball over three times and gave up 618 yards on defense – 111 on the ground and 507 through the air.

Now NMSU heads to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Sept. 7 for its first-ever meeting against No. 2 Alabama.

 Under head coach Doug Martin, the program had one of its worst offensive seasons ever in 2018, finishing No. 96 in the country in total offensive yards. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Adkins does return, however, after winning the starting job midseason and throwing for 2,536 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. 

Adkins will need help from his offensive line, though. In 2018, the Aggies’ line allowed 40 sacks, its most since 2012. The line still has two veterans in redshirt senior Brian Trujillo and senior Sage Doxtater, but the remaining linemen need more experience if Adkins is to avoid the same punishment he took from opposing defenses in 2018.

 On a positive note, the combined return of both Adkins and senior tailback Jason Huntley should provide the Aggies with some offensive firepower. Huntley gained 1,632 all-purpose yards in 2018, and finished second on the team in both rushing with 505 yards and receiving with 529 yards. However, going up against the Crimson Tide’s 15th-ranked defense will give them many problems, especially with such a young offensive line.

Coming off of its 42-3 defeat of the Duke Blue Devils, Alabama is poised for another lopsided victory and enters as a 55-point favorite. Saban often inserts less experienced players once Alabama takes a large lead, so some newer names could play a large portion of the second half if the spread holds.

That being said, the Crimson Tide defense should not be caught by surprise. The Aggies have a pass-first mindset, which opened up holes for their running backs in Week 1. Freshman inside linebackers Shane Lee and Christian Harris will have to be on their toes and not get distracted by committing fully to pass coverage. Otherwise, NMSU might sneak a large gain on the ground on a couple of plays. That being said, Huntley is no All-ACC, all-purpose back like Duke’s Deon Jackson, whom the Crimson Tide held to 42 total yards on seven rushes and two receptions.

New Mexico State ranks next to last in the Football Bowl Subdivision in wins in the last decade with 30, while Kansas comes in the 130th spot with only 23. Crimson Tide fans should expect that number to remain at 30 after the game’s conclusion Saturday afternoon.