The long-awaited arrival of the 90th edition of the Iron Bowl is finally here.
The Auburn Tigers will host No. 10 Alabama on Saturday in hopes of spoiling the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff hopes while looking to avoid their fifth-straight losing season.
Alabama owns a 51-37-1 record in the all-time series and has won five straight against Auburn. The two teams have split the last six meetings in Auburn, with four of the six contests being decided by six points or less, including each of the previous three.
Here are the biggest things to look for with the Tide:
Develop a Pass Rush
Auburn’s offensive line has done well in run blocking, but protecting the passer has had its struggles. Whichever quarterback Auburn decides to go with, they all struggle with decision-making in the pass game, especially under duress. Auburn is one of the worst teams in the nation at allowing sacks, averaging almost 4 per game. Alabama is middle of the pack in sacking the quarterback, but has seen an increase in pressure with the emergence of Yhonzae Pierre late in the season.
Test the Auburn Pass Defense
The Auburn defense is one of the stingiest teams in the nation against the run, but Alabama doesn’t rely on the run game enough for that to come into effect. On the other hand, the Tigers’ pass defense can allow big plays, and those plays right into Alabama's strength. The Crimson Tide shouldn’t avoid the run game, but in favorable downs, should test the Auburn secondary to cover some of the best receivers in the nation.
Who Will Fill Cuevas’ Shoes?
Clutch tight end Josh Cuevas missed last week’s game due to injury and has officially been ruled out of the Iron Bowl. The tight end might not seem like an important weapon in the Crimson Tide offense, but when a third down needs to be converted, Cuevas almost always seems to be at the other end of a Ty Simpson pass to convert for a first down. With Cuevas out, look for freshman tight end Marshall Pritchett to help fill the shoes of Cuevas.
Avoid the Jordan-Hare Magic
Jordan-Hare Stadium has been the site of some crazy finishes, especially in the Iron Bowl. The recipe for magic to happen is usually when Auburn is counted out of an Iron Bowl with nothing to gain but to spoil Alabama’s season. This year is no different. Auburn is an underdog, has fired its coach, and has nothing left to play for but a sixth win and probably another bid to the Birmingham Bowl. The Tigers could spoil Alabama’s chance at making the SEC Championship Game and the playoffs with a win. The best way for Alabama to prevent the magic on The Plains from happening is to get ahead early and take away any doubt heading into the fourth quarter.
Which Simpson Will Show Up?
Ty Simpson has not looked like himself in the final stretch of the season. Some think he could be nursing a nagging injury, which could be the reason accuracy has been just a little bit off. In a game where the Alabama offense will rely heavily on Simpson and the air attack, which Simpson shows up will make the difference. If early-season Simpson shows up, this game could be out of reach by the third quarter. If late-season Simpson shows up, we could see a couple of turnovers that would keep this game interesting into the fourth quarter, with an upset a high possibility.
Here are the biggest things to look for in the Tigers:
Can Auburn’s Offense Continue to Surge?
Auburn’s offense has seen a recent explosion under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Derrick Nix.
Since Auburn’s 45-38 overtime loss to Vanderbilt, the Tigers’ offense leads the SEC in scoring offense (50 points per game) and ranks third in the league in total offense (555 yards per game).
Ashton Daniels is assumed to take over undercenter after sitting out of last week’s matchup with Mercer to preserve a year of eligibility. Wide receivers Cam Coleman and Eric Singlton Jr. have been heavily involved in the offensive game plan in the last two games, especially against Vanderbilt, when they became the first duo in program history to each record 10+ receptions in a game. And running back Jeremiah Cobb is just 64 yards away from a 1,000-yard campaign.
But the Crimson Tide’s defense is one of the best units Auburn has seen all season. Alabama gives up over 120 yards per game on the ground, but boasts the SEC’s No. 1 total defense (270.5 yards per game) and passing defense (148.6 yards per game), while only giving up 16.2 points per game.
Do What You Do Best, Defensively
Auburn’s front seven has consistently shown it's capable of playing championship-level defense.
The Tigers rank 11th in the FBS and fourth in the SEC in rush defense (94.0 ypg) and are on pace to allow fewer than 100 ypg in a season for the first time since 2003. The unit has held five of its seven SEC opponents under 100 yards rushing.
Alabama, meanwhile, has struggled to develop a rushing attack, entering this one ranked 13th in the SEC with 123.3 yards per game.
Auburn must return to form, having given up 167 rushing yards in its last conference outing against Alabama, and not allow a breakout game on the ground.
Must Tame the Alabama Passing Attack
When you commit to stopping the run, you must be prepared to defend the pass – and that’s where Auburn has struggled this season.
The Tigers own the 120th-worst coverage grade in the nation, per Pro Football Focus, as they give up nearly 240 passing ypg. Meanwhile, Alabama is putting up 417.7 yards per game and ranks ninth in the country with 292.5 passing yards per game.
That's thanks in large part to quarterback Ty Simpson, who sits second in the SEC in passing yards with 2,934, passing yards per game (266.7) and completions per game (21.5). Additionally, wide receiver Germie Bernard, who leads the Crimson Tide in receiving with 676 receiving yards and Ryan Williams (598) pose a significant threat on the outside for Auburn to contain.
Noteworthy: Auburn will be without defensive back Sylvester Smith for the first half after he was called for targeting in the third quarter of last week’s game versus Mercer, and safety Champ Anthony is out for the season with an injury.
Will the Kicking Game Make a Difference?
It's an Iron Bowl, so of course, the kicking game will play a large part in how things play out.
Auburn’s kicker, Alex McPherson, is riding a wave of momentum into this one after making 12 consecutive field goals, moving him into T-9th in field goals made in program history.
Alabama’s kicker, Conor Talty, comes into this one having missed three field goals from inside 40 yards and two from 30, as he was met with boos from an unpleased crowd in Bryant-Denny Stadium last week when he missed a should-have-been chip shot from 28 yards out.
All signs point toward the advantage falling Auburn’s way if it comes down to the boot of McPherson or Talty.
But, again, it's the Iron Bowl, so you can expect the unexpected.
Kick off is set for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
