Alabama has spent an entire year thinking about last year's Iron Bowl. With one second left, Chris Davis returned a missed field goal for the game-winning touchdown that secured Auburn's spot in the SEC championship game and eventually the National Championship Game. That 109-yard play has haunted the Crimson Tide for the entire year as it ended their chances at competing for a third-straight championship. Now, Alabama gets their chance at revenge as the Tigers aim to play upset of the No. 1 ranked team.
For the sixth straight year, the Iron Bowl has national championship implications. The winner of the Iron Bowl has won four of the last five BCS championships. This year will be no different. Alabama ranks in at No. 1 and a win sends them to the Georgia Dome for the SEC title along with potentially staying in the college football playoff. Understanding the weight of the game, Alabama safety Landon Collins said he has been thinking of it of that loss for the whole year.
"It shows up on the TV every now and again, and it breaks our heart every time," Collins said. "In one second they took our whole chance away of winning anything, and definitely it rewinds in my head. Definitely it will rewind in my head constantly throughout this week."
Auburn has been down lately. The Tigers have dropped two straight games before getting a win over Samford. The Tigers lost to Mississippi State in October before suffering losses to Texas A&M and Georgia. That has knocked their season down, but a win in the Iron Bowl will make it all ok. The Tigers will rely heavily on Nick Marshall who has been held quiet over the past few games.
Blake Sims will look to cap off his long Alabama career with a win in the Iron Bowl. The fifth year senior has watched plenty of these games, but this will be the first he has played in. He will rely heavily on TJ Yeldon and Amari Cooper who are coming off injuries. Yeldon sat out last week nursing an ankle injury. Cooper suffered a bone bruise in his knee. All three players are not expected back next season and will aim to end their college careers on a big note.