On Saturday night, No. 1 ranked Alabama will host SEC rival Texas A&M in what can be considered a revenge game. Last season, No. 2 Alabama faced an unranked Texas A&M team. Prior to the game Aggies head coach Jimbo Fischer came out saying they’d beat the Crimson Tide, to which Alabama head coach Nick Saban confidently replied “in golf?”. As the clock wound down to one second, Coach Saban swallowed his words as the Aggies completed the game winning field goal.
After the season was over, Texas A&M would go on to not only have the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the country, but also the highest ranked class of all time. In response to their class, Nick Saban would go on to accuse Jimbo Fischer of paying off his recruits to come play at Texas A&M through NIL deals. Jimbo shot back, calling Saban a hypocrite and saying he did the same thing at Alabama.
With tensions so high this year, Nick Saban looks to take his revenge against Texas A&M and Jimbo Fischer.
Nick and Jimbo’s History
In 2000 Jimbo Fisher was hired as both the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at LSU under Nick Saban. Later on, in 2003 the Tigers won a national championship under the direction of both of them. Saban would leave to coach at Alabama in 2006, with Fischer heading off to FSU to be their new OC. In December of 2017, Jimbo was hired to be the next head coach at Texas A&M. As a result, the two former colleagues face each other yearly in the SEC West. In there last five matchups Saban is 4-1 against Jimbo.
Previewing Saturday’s matchup
Alabama is coming off a big road win against the Arkansas Razorbacks. They remain undefeated and look to beat the only team to beat them in the last two regular seasons. Alabama hopes QB Bryce Young is able to play despite a shoulder injury suffered against Arkansas last Saturday. In the case of his absence, backup Jalen Milroe will take over for the Crimson Tide. Last week against the Razorbacks, Milroe went four for nine on his passes, for 173 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 91 yards and a touchdown on six carries. The Tide hopes he can do enough for the win against a tough Aggies defense.
In his first series of the game at quarterback, Jalen Milroe dashes into the end zone for an Alabama touchdown. pic.twitter.com/1Eepka0nKJ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 1, 2022
Texas A&M suffered a devastating 42-24 loss against Mississippi State. To make matters worse they lost star wide receiver Ainias Smith for the season to a leg injury.
Their QB continues to struggle, as there is no clear starter. Haynes King started the season before being benched for Max Johnson. After Johnson went down with a hand injury last week, King returned as the starter, but gave up two interceptions. The only bright spot for their offense is junior running back Devon Achane, who rushed for 111 yard on 16 carries.
The matchup might not be as anticipated as it used to. But the same thing was said last season. So, stay tuned.
Texas A&M at Alabama odds
Provided by Tipico SportsBook. Lines last updated Monday at 11:16 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Texas A&M +900 | Alabama -2000
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas A&M +24.5 (-117) | Alabama -24.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
2022 betting stats
- ML: Texas A&M 3-2 | Alabama 5-0
- ATS: Texas A&M 2-3 | Alabama 4-1
- O/U: Texas A&M 1-4 | Alabama 2-3
