This is the game that most SEC fans have had circled on their calendars since the schedule was released.

A rare meeting between Nick Saban with SEC West power program and Mark Richt with his SEC East power program promises to be must-see TV.

It’s two of the league’s most accomplished and well-recognized coaches, two of its most rabid fan bases and two teams with legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations. What’s not to like about this one?

While we wait for Saturday, let’s take a look at what each team will bring to the field with its coaching staffs, and just what their line of thinking might be for this game:

HEAD COACHES

Nick Saban, Alabama: As the architect of four BCS national championship teams, including three at Alabama, Saban has earned his reputation as one of the best active coaches in college football. If anything, he’s become a victim of his own success when it comes to expectations for his program. His squad, which won the SEC and appeared in the College Football Playoff last season, is 3-1 with a loss to a team ranked No. 3 in the country, and folks are wondering if his team is on the decline if it loses this game at Georgia. Tough crowd for a great coach.

Mark Richt, Georgia: Richt, too, is one of the most well-respected coaches in all of college football. Now in his 15th season at Georgia, he has been around the block in the SEC more than any current coach not named Spurrier. With a couple of SEC championships to go along with six SEC East divisional wins, fans are anxiously awaiting a push to the College Football Playoff for a Richt-coached team. A win in this game might just propel the program to that type of season.

OFFENSIVE STAFFS

Alabama coordinator: Lane Kiffin (QB)
His staff: Burton Burns (RB), Mario Cristobal (OL), Billy Napier (WR), Bobby Williams (TE/ST)

When Alabama has the ball: Success is likely tied to balance for this year’s Alabama offense. The Crimson Tide is much better suited to utilize the type of run-first, balanced offensive it was successful with in Week 1 against Wisconsin than trying to throw the ball 59 times like Alabama was forced to do against Ole Miss in Week 3. Kiffin likes to get aggressive with the deep ball when things are going well, and a solid run game sets that up nicely.

Georgia coordinator: Brian Schottenheimer (QB)
His staff: Thomas Brown (RB), John Lilly (TE/ST), Bryan McClendon (WR), Rob Sale (OL)

When Georgia has the ball: The blueprint to success for the Bulldogs has been pretty simple in the season’s early games, and I’d expect we see an attempt to make it work against the Crimson Tide on Saturday: run the ball with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel while mixing in high-percentage passes for QB Greyson Lambert to keep the defense honest. When you have a backfield that is as loaded with talent as Georgia does, you don’t resort to anything more risky unless defenses force you out of being “on schedule” for play calling.

DEFENSIVE STAFFS

Alabama coordinator: Kirby Smart (LB)
His staff: Bo Davis (DL), Mel Tucker (DB), Tosh Lupoi (OLB)

When Georgia has the ball: The Crimson Tide runs a 3-4 scheme with one of the most athletic front sevens in the country. The defense is built to stop the run, which is convenient, considering running the football is all Georgia would like to do if given the choice. As you may have predicted, Smart’s sole focus will be on trying to make Bulldogs QB Greyson Lambert be the guy that has to beat Alabama. If he steps up and delivers, then so be it. I think the Alabama will take its chances that another outcome is more likely.

Georgia coordinator: Jeremy Pruitt (DB)
His staff: Mike Ekeler (ILB/ST), Kevin Sherrer (OLB), Tracy Rocker (DL)

When Alabama has the ball: Another solid 3-4 defensive front that should be challenged by a pair of talented runners. Pruitt draws an interesting assignment in containing two completely different styles of running backs in Alabama’s Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake. If he’s able to do so and make Alabama’s QB, likely Jake Coker, throw anywhere close to the 59 attempts Crimson Tide quarterbacks had against Ole Miss, it’s probably a good sign for Georgia.