Jimbo Fisher is well aware of what it takes to upset top-ranked Alabama. The Texas A&M coach understands that the recipe is largely the same even though this week’s game is at Kyle Field.

It starts with QB Tua Tagovailoa, but extends around the field as a methodical prodding effort is not going to get it done.

“You have to challenge (Tua),” Fisher said at his regular weekly press conference. “You can’t just be in the same thing all the time, you have to challenge and mix it up and hopefully do it. Maybe you can bat some balls, get some balls. But any quarterback is different when you hit him, get some great coverage and turn guys loose and get some hits on the quarterback, because I don’t care who you are, when you get hit, you get affected in every thing you do. He’s as good as there is in college football and is an outstanding player.”

Fisher was asked if running the ball and controlling time of possession is a key to keep the high-powered Alabama offense off the field. He said that could be a key, but the Aggies can’t just move the ball.

“You have to create big plays and score points, because they’re going to score points,” he said. “Their number of plays aren’t up, their big plays are up. On defense, we’ve got to keep big plays down. … We’ve got to do a good job defensively of not giving up plays and getting off the field and getting third down stops. We’ve got to do it on both ends. We’ve got to move the football and get points on those drives, not just moving the football.”

Fisher recalled two self-inflicted wounds early in last year’s game, and how it’s paramount to avoid those this week.

“(You have to avoid) negative plays, penalties, turnovers, and you’ve got find a way to get big plays on offense,” Fisher said. “Turnovers of course, but if you can eliminate negative plays and self-inflicted wounds on offense, it gives you a much better chance to move the football, I don’t care how talented you are.”

Alabama has won six straight in the series, including last year, a 45-28 decision.

Saturday’s game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. local time on CBS.