For No. 10 Alabama, the stakes for Saturday’s Iron Bowl vs. Auburn are clear.
If the Crimson Tide (9-2, 6-1 Southeastern Convention) beat the rival Tigers on the street, they’ll clinch a berth within the SEC championship recreation the next week in Atlanta and sure lock up a School Soccer Playoff berth.
In the event that they lose, the SEC title recreation is out the window, as is the CFP for the second time in as many seasons beneath coach Kalen DeBoer.
“Onto the Iron Bowl, I do know what which means to the state right here. Big deal for us as properly,” DeBoer stated. “It is a large recreation for lots of causes. We simply give attention to what it’s, and it is our large rivalry recreation. It is an SEC recreation on the street. It’s going to be an superior setting, simply blessed to be part of it.”
DeBoer handed his first Iron Bowl check final 12 months, coming away with a 28-14 house win over Auburn. It did not show to be sufficient, with Alabama ending as the primary staff unnoticed of the CFP.
The Crimson Tide bounced again final with a powerful 56-0 win over FCS foe Japanese Illinois after their eight-game successful streak was halted by Oklahoma on Nov. 15. Alabama ran for eight touchdowns towards Japanese Illinois — its most in a recreation since 1979 — however quarterback Ty Simpson had his worst statistical recreation of the season.
With the working recreation thriving, Simpson threw for a season-low 147 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions — as many as he had within the staff’s first 10 video games mixed. Over the past two video games, Simpson has one landing to a few interceptions.
“I used to be pleased with the place he is at,” Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb stated.
Auburn’s protection would be the aspect of the ball prone to current a problem to Alabama. Needing a win for bowl eligibility, the Tigers (5-6, 1-6) have been anchored by interim head coach/defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s unit.
In SEC play, Auburn ranks sixth within the convention in scoring protection (23.1 factors per recreation) and complete protection (353.0 yards). That is in stark distinction from its thirteenth (out of 16) SEC rank in complete offense (326.0 yards) and 14th in scoring offense (18.3 factors) in convention video games.
Durkin, whose future at Auburn past this week is unsure, is embracing the chance that this week’s recreation gives.
“We’re trying ahead to the problem and the duty. They are a actually good soccer staff,” Durkin stated. “They’re properly coached in all three phases, they’ve playmakers in any respect spots. Their numbers, their stats, their numbers, their document all converse to that.”
Auburn quarterback Deuce Knight made his first profession begin final week, accounting for six touchdowns in a 62-17 win over FCS Mercer. However after Ashton Daniels sat out to protect a 12 months of eligibility, he’ll be again at QB this week.
“He approached (final week) the appropriate approach and he’ll be simply high quality,” Durkin stated of Daniels.
In three video games this season, Daniels has thrown for 538 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with 172 speeding yards and two scores.
Alabama has gained 5 straight Iron Bowls, its longest rivalry successful streak since a nine-game streak between 1973-81.
–Area Stage Media
