No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 16 Arkansas will face off Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a huge SEC showdown.

It’s also a big game for both programs when it comes to recruiting the talent-rich state of Texas, where Arkansas has always enjoyed recruiting success.

“Texas is a huge state,” said Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher on Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference. “Players go everywhere, and (Arkansas) got a lot of the right ones.”

One Texas recruit that Fisher singled out was Razorbacks safety Jalen Catalon, a native of Mansfield and one of the best defensive backs on the SEC.

“… Catalon is a really, really good safety, one of the best we play,” Fisher said.

Since joining the SEC, Texas A&M has dominated the series with Arkansas, having won 9 consecutive games between the teams.

Fisher, however, said the gap between the two programs is far closer than those results would suggest.

“Even though we have won those games, those have all been outstanding football games,” Fisher said. “… Last year was a heck of a game here. … Our guys know this is a heck of a football team.”

Fisher also spoke highly of Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman on Wednesday, confirming that he had previously reached out to Pittman about joining the A&M staff.

“I think he’s a great guy, great person, love being around Sam,” Fisher said. “He’s a great football coach. I have a lot of respect for Sam.”