Alabama football’s matchup with Texas is likely the most anticipated game of the young 2023, at least on the national level. The game is a big enough deal that ESPN and SEC Network are both in Tuscaloosa with their College Gameday and SEC Nation shows set for Saturday.

Back in his college town, UA alum and Gameday host Rece Davis said Friday that he’s able to remain objective, even when the show includes his own school. Davis also gave his thoughts on the matchup between the Crimson Tide and the Longhorns.

“It’ll be a test with this (Alabama) offensive line, which is… trying to impose a nasty physical attitude that they want to run the ball,” Davis said, speaking to reporters Friday behind the Gameday set on campus. “And Alabama’s secondary, a little banged up and with (Texas quarterback) Quinn Ewers and his arm talent… They’re gonna take shots tomorrow night so I think that’s a big matchup as well, to see how Alabama matches up in that regard.”

Ewers was a major topic for each of the Gameday and SEC Nation hosts who spoke to media on Friday. Former Alabama safety Roman Harper also gave his take on the redshirt sophomore, who was injured in last year’s game against the Crimson Tide.

According to Harper, Ewers is good enough to come to Bryant-Denny Stadium and leave with a win. However, he also laid out a game plan the Tide could follow to beat Texas again.

“Go get the quarterback,” Harper said. “Speed up the timing. Quinn Ewers is not the same quarterback when he’s off the spot. Spot meaning three yards, right behind the center. That’s the sweet spot that they try to build a pocket around and that’s where their offense is won or lost. So understand those things and don’t let them do that. If you’re not friendly to Texas’ offense, you’ve got a real good chance to make this ugly for them.”

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was the star of the show offensively for the Crimson Tide against Middle Tennessee State in Week 1. He’ll face a tougher challenge in the Texas defense on Saturday.

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SEC Nation host and former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was full of praise for the redshirt sophomore.

“The way he was able to step in the first couple of drives, keep cool under pressure,” Tebow said. “Couple of bad snaps, handle them, make plays. He wasn’t trying to run first but when it was an opportunity he played with it in the pocket but then used his athleticism. Thought he showed that he could really throw with accuracy down the field.”

Gameday host and ESPN color analyst Kirk Herbstreit lauded Milroe’s athleticism as well. Herbstreit picked Alabama to win the national title ahead of the 2023 season, citing Nick Saban’s history as his reason.

He spoke about the Crimson Tide’s mentality entering the year.

“A lot of people are like ‘Well, Georgia’s the new bar in college football,’” Herbstreit said. “I just think that doesn’t sit well with Alabama. And I’m kind of betting on, that’s the team that’s going to kind of show up wit ha bit of a chip on their shoulder every week.”

Herbstreit discussed the atmosphere at Bryant-Denny Stadium, saying fans don’t always go all out for regular matchups, having gotten used to regular success from the Crimson Tide. However, he said he expected it to come alive Saturday night for the Longhorns.

“Whenever these Alabama fans feel threatened, it just adds to the spice,” Herbstreit said. “It adds to the anticipation. And I think any time you can bring in a brand like Texas, especially the way the game went last year, there’s just a different feeling.”

Alabama and Texas are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday. The game will be aired on ESPN.