No. 1 Alabama faces No. 16 Auburn in Iron Bowl

However, since then, a lot of those teams have beaten up on each other to the point where they all have multiple losses. Last week the Tide played the Chattanooga Mocs and won 31-3 in a game that was not a test.

“You do what’s best for your team”, Malzahn said. “It’s still an important game for us”. The kick fell short, and punt returner Chris Davis returned it 109 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Auburn’s loss to Georgia two weeks ago diminished the big-picture stakes somewhat. For the sixth year in a row Alabama has come into the Iron Bowl with a good shot at a national title.

Alabama remains loaded with defensive stars.

While Auburn has not allowed a rushing touchdown since the Texas A&M game and just four all season, Hurts has scored on the ground in five straight SEC games. True freshman Jalen Hurts took over the starting job after the opener and has emerged as one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks.

That’s for folks outside the team to talk about, mostly.

“The biggest thing this year, for me, is their ability to rush the passer”, Malzahn said. “There’s a lot of stuff going on, and you got to settle down, just play what you play”.

Nick Saban continues to stockpile talent and force the Alabama administration to add space in the trophy case for more awards and championship trophies.

“He’s fine if he does what he’s supposed to do – he’ll be fine this game”, Saban said Monday.

“We’ve got one of the better defenses in college football this year and that’ll definitely help trying to contain the guy”, Malzahn said. It seems unlikely for Auburn to put up huge points in this game.

Center Bradley Bozeman called the performance “kind of a wake-up call for us”.

Alabama’s approach this week when preparing for whomever Auburn will use Saturday has been simple: do your job, and it doesn’t matter who they use.

Jeremy Johnson filled in for White in last Saturday’s win over Alabama A&M. He said both will play. For all these reasons, the sports analysis website SB Nation dubbed the game “College Football’s Perfect Rivalry”. Ohio State’s Pat Elflein and Washington State’s Cody O’Connell of Washington State are the other finalists.

And when Kamryn Pettway plays – like he is expected to Saturday after missing two games with a left leg injury suffered late in a November 5 win over Vanderbilt – that number rises to 314.

Kerryon Johnson is arguably Auburn’s most talented skill position player, and he was clearly the most talented one the Tigers had dressed on Saturday.

Alabama Faces Auburn / Into boxing as well?

Alabama’s projected lineup averages 4.36 stars and an average player rating of 95.35. Even if Auburn can create a few plays here and there, the Tigers are going to need a few big plays (50 yards or more). For the past six years, the victor of the game has gone on to represent the SEC in BCS National Championship or the College Football playoff – a run unprecedented for a single state. Without him, the Tigers are confined to more of a finesse running game that is complemented by a somewhat aerially-challenged passing game.

According to the ESPN.com report, Rittenberg also cited the following list of coaches as possible candidates: Maryland offensive coordinator Walt Bell, Charleston Southern coach Jamey Chadwell, South Florida co-offensive coordinator David Reaves, Jacksonville State head coach John Grass and Arizona State offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.