The hype on Texas A&M has died after two straight losses.
Jimbo Fisher and his team will not be in contention for the College Football Playoff, but Nick Saban sees an intense matchup Saturday at Kyle Field for Alabama. He is 4-0 all-time against the Aggies at its venue, including three games where the Crimson Tide’s offense has totaled 40+ points. However, Coach Saban is sensing something different about this weekend’s game.
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He knows Texas A&M will be after Alabama all game long.
“I think this is a dangerous team, and I think this is a little bit of trap game for us,” Saban said Thursday on his radio show.
What is a trap game?
A trap game is a contest where one team, usually the favorite, does not take its opponent seriously. It does not have its A-game, but its opponent is well prepared. The opposition capitalizes on the momentum and makes plays.
It quickly shifts from a game of no importance to an intriguing spectacle, and the favorite either wins close or is defeated. Alabama has been in some trap games under Saban. Two that come to mind are the 2009 meeting with Tennessee and 2012 versus Texas A&M. Tennessee was not supposed to be highly contested in Lane Kiffin’s only year; however, the Tide stumbled into the matchup unfocused.
Malfunctioning headsets and Alabama’s lethargic offense allowed the Volunteers a chance to win. A pair of blocked field goals from defensive tackle Terrence Cody preserved a 12-10 victory, an undefeated season, and a shot at a national championship.
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After an emotional win over LSU at Tiger Stadium in 2012, the Tide welcomed Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M.
As a redshirt freshman, there was no way Manziel was supposed to win the contest.
It was setting up to be Alabama’s second undefeated season; nevertheless, the magic man happened.
Manziel threw and ran all over the Tide’s defense and shocked everyone in Tuscaloosa.
He won the Heisman Memorial Trophy in his performance and led the Aggies to a 29-24 victory. No matter what the betting lines are, Saban knows Texas A&M is up for this game. He wants to see relentless play for four quarters on the Crimson Tide’s side. Alabama comes off a win over Mississippi in what was a hyped-up contest.
It will play under the lights of Kyle Field in trying to stay unbeaten.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
