The Jimbo Fisher era at Texas A&M got a big boost a couple of weeks ago. The Aggies gave No. 2 Clemson all it could handle in a 2-point loss at Kyle Field. On Saturday, it’s for real. Fisher’s Aggies make their first road trip when they visit Bryant-Denny Stadium for a meeting with No. 1 Alabama.

Moral victories aside, these are the type of games Fisher was brought to College Station to win. It’s the measuring stick for all coaches in the SEC. Where many have failed before — including every former Saban assistant — Fisher’s first attempt as an SEC head coach at slaying the conference giant will be met with national attention.

Here are a few bold predictions for Saturday’s game from both Texas A&M and Alabama perspectives.

For Texas A&M …

1.Kellen Mond throws for 250 yards: It will be more than likely out of necessity that Mond piles up the passing yards. Mond, who threw for 237 in a hard-fought loss last season, begins the game throwing the football in an attempt to loosen up the Bama defense, and then later lets it fly as the Aggies fall farther behind. He won’t come close to the 430 yards he threw against Clemson, but Mond will put up impressive numbers against a Tide defense that ranks eighth in the SEC against the pass, yielding an average of 201 yards per game, including a season-high 252 in the opener to Louisville.

Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

We’re not calling for 300, but that would be special. Starting in 2010, Alabama has allowed a 300-yard passing day just 11 times. Aggies legend Johnny Manziel tops that list at 464 yards.

2. Alabama fails to score 50: The Tide leads the nation with 170 points scored this season. They are averaging 56.3 points per game. They are the first team in SEC history to surpass 50 points in the first three games of a season and last week hung 62 on Ole Miss. But the Aggies’ defense will hang tough and keep the score under 50 points. How much under 50 remains to be seen. It could be by only a point or two, but Texas A&M ranks third in the SEC against the run, giving up just 87 yards per game on average. That toughness in the trenches should keep the Tide under 50.

3. Take the over (61): The Aggies should score enough to push the over/under above the 61-point mark. Averaging 44.3 points per game themselves, the Aggies are developing a balanced approach with Mond doing enough with his arm and his legs to open up any defense, including Clemson’s. This will obviously be the Aggies’ toughest test, but there’s enough firepower between Mond and RB Trayveon Williams to find the end zone at least a few times.

For Alabama …

1. Tide covers the spread (-26): Just like last week against Ole Miss, the anticipated shootout might wind up being heavily tilted towards the Tide. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been almost flawless and Jalen Hurts has come off the bench to provide an effective change of pace. Look for the Tide to not only continue its roll, but also cover the spread with a late touchdown.

2. Tua has career-game passing: The Alabama quarterback hasn’t even thrown 20 passes in a game yet this season. There’s been no need. That has suppressed other numbers as well. His career-high of 228 passing yards against Arkansas State will be surpassed on Saturday as Alabama hunts for yardage against an Aggies defense that ranks third in the SEC against the run, allowing an average of only 87 rushing yards per game.

What will his final numbers be? That depends on how much Saban plays Hurts.

3. Tide record season-high 5 sacks: Getting to the quarterback has been key in the Tide dismissing their first three opponents this season. Alabama piled up a season-high 4 sacks against Ole Miss last Saturday, stifling the Rebels’ attack. An equal amount of harassment will be in order if the Tide intend on shutting down Mond and the Aggies, but they’ll do one better than that. Who gets them is the question. Look for SEC Defensive Player of the Week, LB Christian Miller, to add to his team-leading (2.5) sack totals.