TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M have celebrated a huge victory and endured a humiliating loss at Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Now, they're back.
The sixth-ranked Aggies return Saturday to face No. 1 Alabama in a matchup of the Southeastern Conference's last unbeaten teams and a game that's every bit as important as any previous meeting.
It's even more intriguing with the Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0) having edged closer to the Texas A&M style of speedy tempo and quarterback runs. The Aggies (6-0, 4-0) haven't abandoned that formula by any stretch but have taken over the role of the SEC's top running team that would seem more Alabama's domain traditionally.
Tide Coach Nick Saban said "we're full of challenges for this week."
"This is one of those season-defining games for us," Saban said.
For both teams. It's the second time in four seasons that the SEC West showdown has featured No. 1 versus No. 6 and the third Top 10 matchup in that span. The budding rivalry has produced classics like the Johnny Manziel-led 2012 upset by the Aggies in Tuscaloosa and Alabama's 49-42 victory a year later. It's also supplied Alabama's biggest beatdown against a ranked team, a 59-0 victory on the Aggies' last visit two seasons ago.
Such a one-sided outcome seems unlikely this time but Alabama is a whopping 18-point favorite coming off dominating performances against Tennessee and Arkansas.
Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight, who led Oklahoma to a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama as a redshirt freshman, said the Aggies have this game in its proper perspective.
"We're not over-emphasizing this week and that's not discrediting Alabama and what they've done," he said. "But this isn't the end all, be all. This is the seventh game of our season. We still have a bunch of games after that and we realize and respect the opponent that we're playing but we're not making it on a pedestal or anything like that."
Mullen's streak in jeopardy
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen's unbeaten mark against Kentucky could be in jeopardy.
The Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2 SEC) are 7-0 against the Wildcats under Mullen but have struggled this year after the departure of quarterback Dak Prescott to the NFL. Mississippi State has lost three of its past four, making Saturday night's game at Kentucky (3-3, 2-2 SEC) a must-win if the Bulldogs hope to extend their run of consecutive bowl appearances to seven.
Despite the first-half disappointment, Mullen remains confident the Bulldogs can finish strong and keep their string intact.
"When you face a little bit of adversity, it tests your character, but it can really pull a team closer together," Mullen said. "Stuff like that can actually help pull the team closer together at times."
Kentucky understands. After struggling early, the Wildcats still have a chance to become bowl eligible.
Since starting 0-2, Kentucky has won three of its last four with two SEC victories. A defense that ranked last in the league a month ago now stands 11th and is a key reason for the surge.
The Wildcats are coming off a bye that gave them an opportunity to recharge for the season's final six weeks. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said his team used the week off to address areas of concern as it aims to finish the stretch run better than the past two years.
"I felt like we used it wisely to heal up and look at all areas we need to improve on and continue to build on all the things we were doing well," he said.
The Wildcats now just need to break through against the Bulldogs.
Kentucky is 0-3 against MSU under Stoops and lost 42-16 to the Bulldogs last season in Starkville. Stoops is relieved Prescott has moved on to the pros but said that doesn't make ending the Wildcats' drought against the Bulldogs any easier.
"They are still difficult to defend," Stoops said. "They have always been multiple and coach (Dan) Mullen has always been difficult to defend."
Sports on 10/22/2016