Ainias Smith didn’t get home until 1:45 a.m. after the game. He and his Texas A&M football teammates had just beaten Alabama during the 2021 season and College Station was still electric.

Smith said the win was his favorite so far of his Aggie career.

“The whole process was crazy that week,” the wideout said at SEC Media Days. “I’ll say our quarterback had locked in. He was on a whole different mission that week. During the game it really was exciting. That’s all I can really say, it was exciting.”

Smith caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

That quarterback, Zach Calzada, threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns against the Crimson Tide. The Aggies beat Alabama 41-38 on a last second field goal.

“Probably my favorite game by far that I ever played in,” Smith said. “That I ever watched.”

The Crimson Tide earned their revenge during the 2022 season in Tuscaloosa, holding on late to preserve a narrow win. This year, Alabama returns to Kyle Field in College Station.

Smith kept his feelings about the 2023 edition of the matchup simple.

“This year, it’s up,” he told assembled reporters.

Alabama will travel to Texas A&M on Oct. 7.