Nick Saban explains how Texas A&M has become a bigger rival for Alabama

Despite only being in the SEC since 2012, Texas A&M has quickly established a rivalry with Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Today, the rivalry between Alabama and Texas A&M is one of the most anticipated in the SEC.

On The Pat McAfee Show, Saban explained that the rivalry was born from both teams being good at the same time.

“I think rivalries come from other teams being good,” Nick Saban said. “LSU has always been really, really good. That became a big game. It wasn’t really a natural rivalry. And I think Texas A&M is kinda the same way. They’re really, really good.”

Going into the Alabama-Texas A&M game this year, both teams are 2-0 in SEC play. That makes them the only unbeaten teams remaining in the SEC West nearing the midpoint of the 2023 season.

“They’ve got a really good team this year. Every year we played them, this has kinda been a pivotal game for them and for us. I think the importance of the game depends on how you define rivalry, I guess. but the importance of the game gets escalated because they have a really good team and I think we have a really good team,” Saban said.

“It’s going to be two good teams playing and we gotta do it on the road in a tough environment. I think that’s a challenge most players really like. That’s why they come to a place like this, to play in games like this.”

During his time at Alabama, Nick Saban has coached against Texas A&M every season since 2012. He has a 9-2 record against the Aggies and a 4-1 record against Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M.

Nick Saban says Texas A&M will challenge Alabama’s offensive line

Going into this week’s game against Texas A&M, Nick Saban expects the Aggies’ defense to become a challenge for Alabama’s offensive line.

“Well, I certainly think this will be a great test for them because they do have really great down guys. They’ve got lots of depth, they play a lot of guys, they’ve got some really significant rushers, but these guys are really good at striking blocks up front and getting off people. They have a really good scheme on defense. So, they do a lot of stunt and moving, pressuring you, creating negative plays. A good third down package where they’re gonna put six guys up there in the box and play man-to-man and put pressure on the quarterback,” Saban said.

“So, this’ll be a challenge for our entire offensive team but especially our offensive line because think about if you can control the line of scrimmage, at least you can stay balanced and try to stay ahead of the sticks. When I grade a game it’s always, ‘It’s first and 10, did we make to second and 6 or less? Did we get it to third and four or less?’ So, that you don’t have negative plays. negative plays create drive stoppers and that’s what they’ve been really, really good at.”