When you wear a target as big as Alabama on your back, you’re going to get everyone’s best shot. Beating the Tide can make a program’s season.

How big is a win over Alabama? Ask Ole Miss. The Rebels beat Bama twice in a row, catapulting them to contender status in the SEC West, and with good reason.

That’s what makes what the Tide has been able to accomplish over the last two national championship runs all the more impressive.

The 2016 schedule shapes up to be another challenging one for Alabama. Right out of the gate, the Tide faces USC at a neutral site and then two weeks later visits Oxford to try and break a two-game skid against the Rebels. Those are just two of at least five games in which the Tide look to be tested most.

Here’s a closer look at those five games which look to be the Tides’ toughest this upcoming season:

Sept. 3 vs. USC (Arlington) – Traditionally, Alabama has come out of the starting block in these “kickoff classic” type games with one of its best efforts. It’s not only given Alabama a big boost on a national level, but the SEC as a conference, right from the start of the past four years. Decisive victories over Michigan, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin over that stretch set the Tide on the path for outstanding seasons.

So while USC appears to be a major challenge, Alabama has played in enough of these types of games to be mentally prepared — new quarterback and all.

Still, the Trojans are a traditional power, and certainly have the athletes to compete. But USC is in a transition period. Clay Helton is in his first full season as head coach and he also is tasked with finding a new quarterback. Those are not two things conducive to knocking off a defending national champion in the opener.

Sept. 17 at Ole Miss – The Rebels have taken down the Tide the past two seasons and it’s only been late-season stumbles that have prevented Ole Miss from playing for SEC and national titles instead of Alabama.

The Tide will get the best the Rebels have again in 2016, especially on their home field. Chad Kelly is a winner. The Rebels quarterback is the first in program history to beat Alabama, Auburn and LSU in the same season. He’s also the first Ole Miss QB to lead the Rebels to five victories over top-25 ranked teams.

Oct. 15 at Tennessee – This could shape up to be a preview of the 2016 SEC Championship Game. Tennessee has been the team perceived to be on the doorstep of greatness. Is this finally that season? Is this the game that finally gets the Vols over the hump?

Alabama has won nine straight in the series, including the past four in Knoxville.

Tennessee returns 17 starters, including several stars. Besides, 5-star JUCO transfer DE Jonathan Kongbo has already guaranteed a victory over the Tide.

Nov. 5 at LSU – The streak is at five now since the 2011 season BCS Championship Game. That isn’t sitting well with Tigers fans. Shutting down Heisman candidate Leonard Fournette will once again be the key to victory. The Tide accomplished that last season, ending Fournette’s Heisman bid.

This game almost always factors into the SEC West race and national title chase. Expect nothing different in 2016.

Nov. 26 vs. Auburn – The Iron Bowl has produced the SEC champion in six of the past seven years. Four times that game went Alabama’s way. But you can bet that Auburn will save its best for last. Traditionally, that’s been the case, anyway.

Alabama has won the past two meetings and six of the last eight, but that broke a string of six consecutive Auburn triumphs over the Tide. Nothing would indicate that the pendulum is about to swing back the other way.

But if Auburn’s quarterback woes are settled by the end of the season, they’ll give Alabama all it wants.