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Kirk Herbstreit labels Alabama-Texas A&M as game of the season

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels08/28/21

ChandlerVessels

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ESPN personality Kirk Herbstreit named Alabama against Texas A&M on Oct. 9 as the must-see game in 2021. The declaration was one of several tweets labeled the “Herbie Awards” from ESPN’s college football account.

The Aggies enter 2021 at No. 6 in the AP poll after a 9-1 finish that included an Orange Bowl victory against North Carolina in 2020. Their one loss came in their second game of the season against Alabama, 52-24.

As it did last season, this game could once again decide the SEC West. The two teams are the highest ranked in the division. No. 16 LSU also has an outside shot to shake things up.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said on Wednesday freshman Haynes King will start at quarterback. A four-star prospect in 2020, King won a 6A State Championship as a junior in Longview, Texas. His father, John King, is the head coach at Longview High School.

Alabama finished undefeated in 2020, including a thrashing of Ohio State in the national championship. The Crimson Tide lose quarterback Mac Jones, receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle as well as running back Najee Harris.

Nick Saban’s squad still enters the season at No. 1 in both the AP and coaches polls. Bryce Young, the No. 1 dual threat quarterback in 2020 according to 247 Sports, is set to replace Young. John Metchie will take over as his No. 1 target and tight end Jahleel Billingsley should also see an increased role.

The matchup with Alabama will be the first time that Texas A&M will face an opponent that was ranked in the preseason.

The Crimson Tide has won the past eight games against the Aggies by an average of 22.5 points. The last time Texas A&M beat Alabama, Johnny Manziel was the quarterback.

The Aggies’ No. 6 ranking is the highest in the preseason since 1995 when they entered at No. 3. This seems to be the best chance they have had at snapping that losing streak in quite some time.

Has Jimbo Fisher turned A&M into a program that can compete with the best in the SEC? This game is the ultimate test of that. Kirk Herbstreit will perhaps be calling the game, but the entire nation could be watching Alabama and Texas A&M on Oct. 9.