Malzahn: Auburn’s Pettway will play against No. 1 Alabama

“I know Sean (White) did practice yesterday”.

Alabama looks to continue its quest for an unbeaten season and a second consecutive national championship, but the Crimson Tide still have a few obstacles to overcome, starting with Saturday’s rivalry matchup against Auburn. “I don’t think any real competitor wouldn’t”, Johnson said.

The dual-threat true freshman has already set the Alabama single-season program-record for rushing by a quarterback, with 803 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with his 2,168 passing yards.

“I think it really starts with the health”, Malzahn said.

On his “Tiger Talk” radio show, Malzahn said Monday night he’ll likely need until after Wednesday night’s practice to assess who will be active the Iron Bowl game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. “We’re got to keep him off balance”. Auburn had a chance to rest some of its key players in the win and now it will be all hands on deck this week for the showdown with Alabama. Alabama has 16 five stars, 44 four stars and 21 three star players. I don’t see a whole lot of difference in the guys. Since the only other unbeaten team in The Associated Press Top 25 is No. 14 Western Michigan, a win probably isn’t even mandatory to make the playoffs. Alabama opponents are managing just 68.9 yards on the ground per game with three touchdowns. However, he was exposed two weeks ago trying to play through pain in his injured shoulder against Georgia. The decision to insert quarterback Sean White as the full-time starter and Lashlee’s play-calling were also instrumental, but the decision to focus on the ground game has paid dividends.

Jeremy Johnson started last year’s Iron Bowl while White was hobbled with a left knee injury.

Will it be Sean White, John Franklin III or Jeremy Johnson that will be the guy that challenges Alabama for Auburn on Saturday from the quarterback position?

“The other two guys are very athletic and very capable of running at any time, scrambling at any time, making plays with their feet at any time”. No. 13 Florida ranks 20th nationally in run defense and has allowed 122.1 yards rushing per game and 3.3 yards per carry. Franklin has seldom been used as a passer but has averaged 10.5 yards on 38 carries. Malzahn’s adaptation to faster, stronger defensive play has been the addition of a sledgehammer back with the ability to split defenses through the middle of the field and shred them on the outside.

“Bo Scarbrough has practiced more this week”, Saban said. Whenever we see Pettway run, we’re like, ‘They’re in trouble.’ So, it’s really important.Pettway is just that bruiser.

While Alabama appeared in control much of the first half, a back-and-forth second half turned the Tide on its head and eventually led to final-second 57-yard field goal attempt by current senior kicker Adam Griffith with the game tied at 28-all.

Junior receiver ArDarius Stewart will be available for the Iron Bowl after sitting out Saturday’s Chattanooga game for disciplinary reasons, according to Saban.

With a trip to the first-ever College Football Playoff on the line, #1 Alabama first needed to defeat #15 Auburn a year after the painful “Kick-Six” kept the team out of the BCS Title Game. It is also rivalry week which should make for some great games. “Depending on how we do it will determine how many times they have to pass the ball”.