Is Carl Albert becoming POTUS part of the setup for the scenario, or just Nixon having no VP at the time Watergate explodes? Because it seems likely that Republicans will cut a deal with Democrats to ram through a VP at lightning speed ahead of any resignation/impeachment. In this scenario Gerald Ford, then Minority Leader in the House, makes even more sense to pick than OTL. (Republicans have the numbers to be able to demand this before they'll convict on impeachment. Nixon's cooperation is constitutionally necessary, but I don't see him playing that game of chicken.)