Auburn rushing attack set to face top-ranked Alabama run defense

“We’ve not made that call yet”, Malzahn said Wednesday on the SEC media teleconference. I know it means a lot to a lot of people in this state as well as nationally. “Sometimes we have a game plan to spill the quarterback and make him throw on the run because he don’t like to; when he gets out of the pocket it’s more a of scramble thing”. “I don’t think any real competitor wouldn’t”. Sean White, the team’s normal starter, reinjured his shoulder two weeks ago in a loss at Georgia and sat out this past Saturday’s game against Alabama A&M. Instead, the Tigers gave the start to Jeremy Johnson, who hadn’t seen action since the opener against Clemson. Malzahn was later asked if he would publicly announce the decision once he decided, to which the vaguely answered, “We may, I haven’t decided yet”. Malzahn said he wants to monitor the health of injured Sean White for at least one more practice.

What is there to say about Alabama that hasn’t already been said. “We just think he’s a fantastic player”. Having his production out of the backfield is a plus for Auburn, but facing a 6-foot, 240-pound running back isn’t out of the ordinary for top-ranked Alabama.

Alabama might have an impenetrable defensive front, but the path to infiltrating that crimson-clad wall starts with Pettway.

Expect to see a lot of attention on the quarterback warm-up line for Auburn. They just do a really, really good job. The effect of the change on offense was evident, as the Tigers claimed six wins in a row before a 13-7 loss at Georgia on November 12. The Tide’s offensive line has been impressive this season as well, clearing the way for an offense that is averaging 477.6 yards per game.

Franklin has been White’s primary backup but struggled in his only start of the season against Vanderbilt.

Despite missing three games (two via a knee injury and last week due to a violation of team rules), Stewart is putting together an All-American caliber junior season.

Before sitting out the Georgia and Alabama A&M games, Pettway was perched atop the SEC leaderboard in rushing yards with 1,106 – 158 yards per game, since he didn’t play in four games.

Considering the talent in the trenches and the standout run defenses both teams have, the passing game needs to hit on a few big plays to prevent the front seven from loading the box. On the defense, Auburn football yields 216.8 yards in passing and 117.7 yards in rushing against their opponents.

In six meetings with the Tigers, that number has jumped to almost 150 per game, with Auburn rushing for at least 78 yards every time out and over 100 in four of six tries. Auburn, meanwhile, hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown in the past eight games.

“Different mobile quarterbacks you got to prepare for differently because some mobile quarterbacks like to throw on the run and some guys you have to keep in the pocket because they’re uncomfortable throwing in the pocket”, linebacker Deshaun Davis said. Allen is a finalist for the Bednarik Award given to the nations top defensive player. Bama is averaging over 40 points a game and Auburn has no way of being able to stop them from putting up those type of points. But all four cases were precautionary, Malzahn said, and there appears a good chance all four will play next week, as will the rest of the top contributors. As we look at things, we’ll look at what has affected him the most in previous games.