Alabama has had a chance to avenge eight of its losses under Saban and has gone 7-1 in those games.

The average margin of victory in the wins is just about three touchdowns: 20.9 points. It is not often when Alabama truly has a game circled but this is it.

Texas A&M is a classic example of going from the hunter to the hunted. They are no longer looked at the transfer school in the middle of traditional rivals. They will not sneak up on anyone.

This is Johnny Football getting his first real test off the year and with the most pressure he has ever faced.

Yes Alabama did struggle on the OL against Virginia Tech, yet they still blew them out. Film room scouting reports tell us that the so-so production by them was lack of communication, not talent. That is very correctable.

A&M's defense has looked shaky in its opening games against Rice and Sam Houston State, two teams that will never be confused with Alabama and its roster of former four- and five-star recruits. The Aggies have given up an average of 273 yards on the ground and 899 total yards.

Alabama has crushed a lot of teams in the Saban era. But how many times how they had motivation to destroy them? Now they have a big chip on their shoulder and a much better team.