The college football calendar says the season will begin on August 27, but the way Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher are feuding, we may as well start it now.
Alabama and Texas A&M aren't waiting for October 8th to start a battle. Recent comments between Saban and Fisher have started the war now.
When discussing Name, Image and Likeness in college football on Wednesday, Saban took a shot at Fisher's Aggies.
"We were second in recruiting last year. A&M was first. A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for Name, Image & Likeness. We didn’t buy one player," Saban said.
Fisher wasted no time responding, firing back in strong terms on Thursday.
"It's despicable," Fisher told reporters on Thursday. "We're taking shots at 17-year-old kids. We never bought anyone. When (Saban) doesn't get his way or things don't go his way, go dig into (his past). It's despicable. It's personal to us, and I know the guy – really well."
Fisher, of course, was an assistant under Saban at LSU. He also became the first former Saban assistant to defeat him as a head coach when the Aggies took down Alabama in 2021.
Fisher said Saban called him, but Jimbo didn't answer. "We're done," he said.
"I don't cheat. I don't lie," Fisher added. "If you did, my old man slapped me across the face. Maybe someone should have slapped (Saban)."
Well, then.
How long do we have to wait for these two teams to meet again?
October 8th, when Alabama plays host to Texas A&M, Fisher better hope his team plays as well on the field as he has on the recruiting trail and at the microphone.
According to early odds posted at FanDuel, Alabama is a 16-point favorite for that game. No total is available yet.
The 41-38 loss to A&M last season was Alabama's only defeat during the regular season. The Crimson Tide went on to beat Georgia in the SEC Championship game before losing to the Bulldogs for the national title.
You think gas prices are high now? Just wait for the shortage because it's all being poured on this rivalry. We've only got 142 more days to wait.
