With three years of offensive coordinator experience at Auburn (2013-16), Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee knows exactly what it means to take on the Crimson Tide.

Now he’s using the season-opening matchup as a way to sell the opportunity for Miami players and faithful.

“The reason you come to the University of Miami is to play in games like that and coach in games like that,” Lashlee said on the ACC Network’s “Packer and Durham,” per 247Sports. “We have so much respect for them. I spent six years at Auburn, so I know very well what we are about to face. They are the best team in college football over the past 10 years. They are a phenomenal program with a phenomenal defense. It is going to be a great challenge for us.

“If you are a competitor, you come to the University of Miami to play in games like this against a program like Alabama to kickoff the season. You get all summer to prepare for something and you know right out of the gates where you stand. We are excited about the opportunity.”

The big key to the game, set for 3:30 p.m. ET in Atlanta on ABC on Sept. 4, will be the health of star quarterback D’Eriq King after he tore his ACL in the Hurricanes’ bowl game. Getting him back for that matchup with Alabama will be critical to Miami’s chances in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.