The Iron Bowl never lacks for excitement. Records do no matter. Season struggles do no matter. Alabama and Auburn hate each other and once a year they get a chance to prove that on the field. In recent years this matchup has been back and forth. Two years ago Auburn won on the field goal retirement. Last season Amari Cooper recorded two big plays that pushed the game in the Tide's favor.This year is anyone's game even though the Tide sit at No.1 and Auburn has been down all season.
Alabama cannot afford to overlook an Auburn team that underachieved all season. A win and the Tide head to Atlanta next week for the SEC Championship game. A loss and Alabama must hope that Ole Miss falls to Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The Tide want to control their destiny and that means winning on the road against their biggest rival team. Defense is the name of the game for Alabama. This season Alabama might have the best unit in the country thanks to their knack for interceptions and depth at the offensive line. Since losing to Ole Miss, Alabama has allowed just nine touchdowns on the season. That unit has been challenge against Auburn in the past. Last season they gave up 630 yards to the Tigers despite getting the win. According to Reggie Ragland, this year the defense is different.
"If everybody keeps doing their job, we'll be where we want to be at the end of the year," Ragland said, via ESPN.com.
On offense, Alabama plan to ride Derrick Henry all the way in this game. The running back is a Heisman trophy contender as he has 21 touchdown on the season. Henry hopes to find the same success Leonard Fournette had against the Tigers. The LSU star rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns against the Auburn defense. Henry has the same ability, but it comes down to the blocking of the offensive line and controling the line of scimmage.
Alabama will be trying to contain the running back tandem of Peyton Barber and Jovon Robinson who have a knack for big plays. The Auburn ground game has been the most cosistent unit of the team as they face question marks at the quarterback position. Auburn did not name a starter for this game. Sean White has been dealing with a knee injury which means Jeremy Johnson could get the start. The quarterback is more of a dynamic option which could give the Tide headeachs as it is somthing they have struggled with over the years.
Alabama is not looking to let up, but they cannot afford to overlook the Tigers. In a rivalry game anything is possible. This game is Auburn's season and they will throw everything and the kitchen sink at the Tide to try and get a win over their hated rival.