With this week’s game against Texas A&M, there is one area that could be a threat to an Alabama victory. The Texas A&M running backs, Isaiah Spiller and Ainias Smith, who moved from receiver to running back since last season, present a unique challenge for the Crimson Tide.

“I think they are very good, No. 28, Spiller played against us last year and was very effective and, you know, #0, Smith moved from receiver last year to running back, he’s a very explosive guy,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “So, I think they’re very talented group on the two of them are great change of pace guys on sometimes they play together which is, you know, another set of issues you have to deal with defensively.”

Spiller had eight carries for 117 yards last week in the win over Vanderbilt, while Smith had 10 carries for 51 yards and a TD.

Another storyline this week is Saban is also set to start a string of four straight games against former assistant coaches.

“I never thought of it that way. I never really even realized but I guess it’s true,” Saban said. “I’m happy for the guys that did well here that got to become head coaches… it’s challenging playing coaches that know you well, and we probably know them well, too… it’s challenging because you want to do well against guys you know.”