Alabama’s 59-0 win over Texas A&M last year obviously wasn’t a competitive game, but at least the previous two matchups were.

Johnny Manziel and the Aggies handed host Alabama a 29-24 loss in 2012, but the Crimson Tide returned the favor with a 49-42 victory in College Station two years ago.

Here is what a few media outlets are saying about the biggest SEC West matchup of the week:

  1. John Chavis says he’s psyched up to face Nick Saban & Co. It’s refreshing to hear that Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator still looks forward to facing an old rival he has battled for a long time.
  2. Alabama 59, Texas A&M 0 means nothing a year later. So says al.com, which is true when you consider how much the Aggies have improved from last year.
  3. There are five things Texas A&M fans should know about the Crimson Tide. With all due respect to The Dallas Morning News, here’s our list: 1. Alabama running back Derrick Henry is really good. 2. The Tide has one of the best run defenses in the country. 3. Calvin Ridley is one of the nation’s top freshman receivers. 4. Bama place kicker Adam Griffith has made only 50 percent of his field-goal attempts this season (6 of 12). 5. QB Jacob Coker has improved from week to week.
  4. Kyle Allen is ready for the challenge of Alabama. No player or team is ever really ready to face the Crimson Tide, but according to the Associated Press, the Texas A&M quarterback is apparently prepared for the biggest game of his career.
  5. Texas A&M is looking for leverage in the SEC race in Saturday’s game. In this article, Saban actually has some nice things to say about the Aggies, who could seriously damage the Crimson Tide’s SEC West and national title hopes with a win on Saturday.