A&M seeks to roll Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—It has become a regular thing for Alabama coach Nick Saban to stalk the sideline opposite one of his former pupils.

Beating them has certainly been routine.

Saban and the top-ranked Crimson Tide face another former acolyte Saturday when Jimbo Fisher brings his 22nd-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (2-1, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) into Bryant Denny Stadium.

Fisher brings with him what shapes up to be the best team Alabama (3-0, 1-0) has faced so far this season. The first three have been dispatched with ease, and the Aggies are 27-point underdogs in this one.

Saban said Fisher has done a good job of infusing his new program with his own standard and system, especially with the league’s top-rated offense.

“They’re a completely different kind of team than they’ve been in the past,” Saban said. “They run the ball. Really good play-action passes but still have a lot of elements of spread and they’re a very effective passing team.”

But former Saban underlings haven’t fared well against him as head coaches. He has won all 12 such meetings, including a 24-7 opening win over Fisher’s Florida State team last season.

Only the national championship game in January against Kirby Smart and Georgia has been competitive. The average margin in the other meetings has been a whopping 29.9 points.

Smart, Fisher, South Carolina’s Will Muschamp and Tennessee’s Jeremy Pruitt are all now leading SEC programs.

Texas A&M has already taken one powerhouse team to the brink. The Aggies fell 28-26 to No. 3 Clemson after failing on a two-point attempt with 46 seconds left and losing a late fumble.

Now, they get a crack at a program that’s won five national titles under Saban.

“This is what you live for,” Aggies receiver Jhamon Ausbon said.