This is an opinion article.

Sorry, Steve Spurrier, the Florida Gators will not be the team to upset the Tide this season. I have said that Texas A&M will beat Alabama and win the national championship for the past six months. Now that Jimbo Fisher has announced Haynes King as the starting quarterback, I firmly believe the Aggies can take down the Tide, and here's why:

92.9 WTUG logo
Get our free mobile app

ESPN rated the Aggies' schedule as the 28th most difficult in the country; however, the first three games put A&M in a favorable position. The Aggies open up the season against Kent State at home, then travel to Colorado to take on the Buffs and coming back home to face New Mexico State before opening up conference play against Arkansas.

The Crimson Tide has a more challenging start on the schedule. Alabama opens up the season in Atlanta against Miami, travels to the Swamp with a new QB, and welcomes Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels at home before traveling to College Station. If the Tide and Aggies can stay undefeated, it will be a top-five showdown at Kyle Field on Oct 9.

ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit called Alabama-Texas A&M the must-see game of the year during the Herbie Awards. Herbstreit named Alabama's QB, RB WR positions with the most to prove.

All good things must come to an end, even Nick Saban's undefeated record against former assistants. Kirby Smart and Kiffin have come close to beating the master, but could not hold on to victory. Yes, I know Fisher is 0-4 against Saban and has lost by a combined average of 21.5 points; however, this year will be a different story.

Fisher has a talented roster returning with RB Isaiah Spiller, LG Kenyon Green, TE Jalen Wydermyer, and WR Ainias Smith. The Aggies also return nine of 11 starters on defense and replace four-year starter Kellen Mond with redshirt freshman Haynes King. 247 Sports Composite ranked King as the number five dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 class. The redshirt freshman played in two games last year in the loss to Alabama and the win over South Carolina. 

The Aggies return more offensive production than the Tide, who had six players taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, including Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. Both Bryce Young and Haynes King are poised to have a breakout year despite limited playing time last season. King has weapons all around him, while Young has talented weapons with little experience. John Metchie III, Jameson Williams, and Brian Robinson Jr. will have to step up for the Tide.

I expect a very tough matchup between the Aggie's offense and the Tide's stacked defense. Sorry Jimbo, but A&M will not whip Bama's "tail"; however, I predict a close game with the Aggies coming away with the victory ending Saban's assistant streak.

Score Prediction: Texas A&M-41 Alabama-28

The parallels for Texas A&M are lining up like Fisher's championship season at Florida State. The Seminoles won the national championship with a freshman quarterback in year four of Fisher's tenure. The Aggies are starting a freshman at quarterback in year four of the Jimbo Fisher era. Is it a coincidence? If A&M upsets the Tide, the Aggies can easily control their destiny to the College Football Playoff. I predict A&M will dethrone the reigning champions and take the trophy for themselves.

The 2021 Alabama Football Schedule in Photos

Meet The 2021 Alabama Offense

The 2021 Alabama offense only brings back three returning starters from the 2020 squad. Get ready for the new season by getting familiar with this year's Crimson Tide offense.

The Alabama Crimson Tide 2021 Defense

The Alabama Crimson Tide led the SEC in scoring defense in 2020 holding opponents to 19.4 points per game. The Tide is expected to be even stronger on defense this fall, returning several starters from last year and an impactful transfer.

Alabama 2021 Quarterbacks with Select RBs and LBs

The Alabama Crimson Tide hit the practice field for the 13th practice of the fall camp. It was the first day of fall classes and the focus was on the quarterbacks, running backs and linebackers.

More From 92.9 WTUG