As any smart team should, USC is already preparing for Alabama four months early.

Trojans offensive coordinator Tee Martin, a Mobile, Ala. native, told The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 on Thursday in Mobile that the team has already started game planning for the defending national champs.

The neutral-site game will be played on Sept. 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

One player obviously stood out to Martin, who will be tasked with finding a way for the Trojans to move the ball on what is expected to be one of the best defenses in the nation, and that’s senior LB Tim Williams.

Martin conceded that the Pac-12 doesn’t breed players like him.

“He’s phenomenal,” Martin said. “Obviously, you have to have a plan for him. In our league, there are guys like that, but not exactly like him. He’s pretty special. It’s a great opportunity for our guys in the first game.”

Williams is poised for a big season after recording 10.5 sacks last season (3rd in the SEC).

He and the entire Tide defense will look to feast on whoever’s under center for USC, whether it’s redshirt junior Max Browne or redshirt freshman Sam Darnold.

The two historic programs have actually clashed seven times with the Crimson Tide holding a 5-2 record over the Trojans, winning the last meeting 24-3 in the Aloha Bowl in 1985.