'Subliminal messages' gave Terrion Arnold mental edge over Texas A&M offense

We all got to witness Alabama escape College Station with a 26-20 victory over Texas A&M this past weekend, but now we get to see a unique perspective on the game that no camera can capture.

Joining On3’s Andy Staples, Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold shared some hilarious on-field stories between him and some of the Aggies’ top offensive weapons. But first, he gave a deep dive into a personal meeting this summer with Jimbo Fisher. But not the way you think.

“I was guarding Evan Stewart during the first play of the game,” Arnold explained. “Jimbo Fisher’s son plays high school football with my brother — he’s the kicker. I literally saw Jimbo during the summertime when he came out there and visited his son. When we were out there we were talking and stuff and I said that when we play [Texas A&M], the atmosphere is going to be crazy. His son was right there and was saying, ‘You’re going to see! Right there with my big fish chain, I’m going to be talking.’

“Literally when I went out there, first play, I looked to the sidelines and Ethan was right there saying, ‘Wassup! Wassup!’ He was on the field smiling at me. When he smiled at me, I looked at Evan [Stewart] and said, ‘It’s going to be a long day.'”

And it was. Stewart finished the game with three receptions for 46 yards. One of those went for 32 yards, so aside from that one play — Stewart was nearly non-existent in the Aggies’ offensive attack.

Fellow wideout Ainias Smith might have had more luck with four receptions for 88 yards — but Arnold still got his verbal licks in.

“When I was guarding Ainias [Smith], I thought that was going to set the tone. I’m waiting for him to say something off the rip,” Arnold continued. “He never said nothing, so when we got into a pushing and shoving match on the block — he was like, ‘I’m coming.’ Then [later in the game], I’m lined up in the slot, playing six yards [back] in man-to-man. I’m looking — it’s you versus me — and I could tell [Smith] had the ball, when he starts coming at you and he jumps — I said, ‘You’re scared.’ Those are subliminal messages.”

Arnold even admitted that Smith beat him once, but still dropped the pass. Despite Smith making the mistake on his own — Arnold let him hear about it afterward. He’s mentally breaking down his opponent with petty trash talk. It’s almost too easy.