The Alabama Crimson Tide faced off against FCS opponent The Citadel Bulldogs this past weekend. This was supposed to be a blow out win for Alabama, which it ended up being, but not before a scary first half. The Tide has averaged a 16-point lead heading in for the halftime break, but against the Bulldogs they were tied at ten. The second half got Alabama back on track as they came out and dominated. The Tide rolled 50-17 to stay perfect on the 2018 season.
This week is the biggest week for the state of Alabama. This is the week when the state’s two major programs face off. It’s Iron Bowl week. Alabama and the Auburn Tigers will meet one another in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at 2:30 this Saturday. Auburn spoiled Alabama’s perfect season last year, but it couldn’t stop the Tide from going on to win the National Championship. Alabama leads the series with 45 wins, 36 losses and one tie. With a game of this magnitude and positioning in the College Football Playoff on the line, it is imperative to Know Your Foe.
Know Your Foe – Iron Bowl Edition
This is the 83rd edition of the Iron Bowl. The game between Alabama and Auburn has always been very meaningful and there have been some amazing finishes. The most recent and memorable was the 2013 “Kick Six” when Nick Saban decided to try for a long field goal with one second left. The kick was short and Auburn’s Chris Davis caught it and returned it for the game-winning touchdown.
Auburn has had a rollercoaster of a season. They have been in and out of the top 25 Associated Press Poll, won some big games and have lost some that left Tigers’ fans scratching their heads. Auburn opened the season with a 21-16 win over the currently seventeenth-ranked Washington Huskies. The Tigers lost by one on a game-winning field goal to the seventh-ranked LSU Tigers and were able to get a win against the trending Texas A&M Aggies. On the other side of that, the Tigers got blown out by the Mississippi State Bulldogs. They lost at home to the struggling Tennessee Volunteers and lost by 17 to the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
The Tigers are looking to continue their momentum from the 53-0 thrashing of the Liberty Flames.
Tigers Offense
The Tigers offense has averaged 367 yards per game and 29 points per game so far this season. Here is a look at the playmakers for the Auburn offense:
Quarterback
Jarrett Stidham is a 6’3”, 216-pound Junior. He has completed 184 out of 300 of his passes and has 2,116 yards through the air. Stidham has thrown 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for three touchdowns.
Running Backs
JaTarvious Whitlow is a 6’, 216-pound redshirt freshman. He has rushed 124 times for 716 yards and four touchdowns. He also has one receiving touchdown. Whitlow was limited to just seven carries against Liberty University due to a nagging ankle injury.
Kam Martin is a 5’10”, 194-pound Junior. He has rushed 90 times for 388 yards and just one touchdown.
Receivers
Ryan Davis is a 5’9”, 185-pound senior that has 60 receptions for 508 yards but has not found the end zone.
Darius Slayton is a 6’2”, 190-pound junior who has 30 receptions for 447 yards and has one touchdown.
Auburn Defense
The Auburn defense has been decent this season. They are giving up an average of 152 rushing yards, 373 passing yards and almost 17 points per game. Here is a look at the playmakers on defense:
Deshaun Davis is a 5’11”, 233-pound senior linebacker. He leads the team in tackles with 98. Twelve of those are tackles for loss and he also has two sacks.
Daniel Thomas is a 5’11”, 208-pound junior defensive back. He has 66 tackles, two interceptions and one touchdown. Thomas has also forced two fumbles, one of which he recovered.
Darrell Williams is a 6’2”, 240-pound senior linebacker. He has 61 tackles, one sack and one interception.
Jeremiah Dinson is a 6’, 195-pound junior defensive back. He has 59 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Wrap up and Prediction
Auburn has not had the season that they had hoped for, but all could be forgiven with a win over top-ranked Alabama on Saturday. Everyone knows what this game means. Even though it doesn’t mean what it has in years past, that doesn’t mean that both teams’ seasons are riding on this one game. Historically, this game has determined who got to play in the SEC Championship. This year, that is not the case. When Alabama punched their ticket to Atlanta in week nine and Georgia secured their trip with a win against Kentucky, it was the earliest that the SEC Championship opponents have been determined.
Auburn has been able to upset Alabama in the past with some big plays and by saving their best for the Tide, but this is not the season. Alabama has had one of the best seasons in college football history and it is going to be difficult for anyone to stop the Tide. Alabama will win the 83rd Iron Bowl 53-20.
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