No. 1 Bama won’t let down against No. 16 Auburn

“I don’t think any real competitor wouldn’t”, Johnson said.

The 16th-ranked Tigers have the program’s best defense in years coming into Saturday’s showdown with the top-ranked Crimson Tide, which still probably sets the standard among college defenses.

Auburn will travel up state to take on Alabama this Saturday for the annual Iron Bowl game. Except for the 77-yard touchdown pass to Jason Smith that was tipped in the air before being hauled in, Johnson was ineffective throughout the 29-13 loss to the Crimson Tide.

Many believe this year’s matchup has lost a bit of luster, as Alabama enters the game with the SEC West already locked up.

H-back Chandler Cox is also expected to be over a leg injury that left him sidelined this past Saturday against Alabama A&M, bringing Auburn’s backfield back to near full strength – Stanton Truitt is still considered questionable with an ankle injury suffered against Georgia.

The 2016 edition of the Iron Bowl will be played in Bryant Denny Stadium and broadcasted by CBS at 2:30 p.m. local time. The Crimson Tide holds a 44-35-1 advantage in a series that dates back to the 1893 season.

Alabama is 5-0 against the spread in their last 5 SEC games, 5-1 against the spread against a team with a winning record, and 6-2 against the spread in their last 8 home games.

In the two instances Malzahn’s teams have beaten Saban’s (2010 and 2013), the Tigers have averaged 202 yards per game. “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”.

Nick Saban met with the media on Monday afternoon.

“He’s been effective in every game pretty much”. We obviously didn’t maybe play consistently at the level we wanted to or hoped to. “We’re going to have to earn it, but I know our guys will be ready”.

“Definitely look forward to that challenge”. One of the most memorable moments for Johnson, though, wasn’t during the game.

“(Pettway’s return) means a lot”, Johnson said. “But we’re looking forward to going there, we’re looking forward to going there with this year’s team and looking forward to playing”.

“Auburn, I think, is an outstanding team”.

1967 Run in the mud – On a very stormy night at Legion Field Kenny Stabler runs for a 47 yard touchdown in the mud in the fourth quarter to defeat Auburn 7-3. It is also rivalry week which should make for some great games.

Here’s the thing: For as good as Malzahn has been with his more stealthy, zig-zagging rushing attacks in the past, Pettway has added a more rough-and-tumble element that has been essential this season.

Auburn has only 158 completions this year, with Tony Stevens (16.1 ypc), Darius Slayton (16.9 ypc) and Kyle Davis (21.4 ypc) providing big-play threats on the outside.

Kiffin has led a transformation of ‘Bama’s offensive style that now features the running abilities of freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts. They are very well-coached; Kevin Steele has done a really good job with them.

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.