The renewal of the SEC’s premier football rivalry is set to divide the state once again Saturday. The Iron Bowl — Alabama at Auburn — might have slightly less buzz entering the 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff in Jordan-Hare Stadium but the tensions never fade.
No. 3 Alabama is still fighting for a spot in the playoff a week before facing top-ranked Georgia in the SEC Championship while Auburn’s fighting to keep a winning record after a three-game skid.
Let’s take a look at three things you’ll want to watch when these two get together for the 86th time.
A new QB
Alabama had faced Bo Nix each of the past two seasons as Auburn’s quarterback but he’s out for the season with an ankle injury. His replacement, however, and Alabama’s defense aren’t complete strangers.
T.J. Finley faced the Crimson Tide just a year ago as LSU’s starting quarterback in Baton Rouge. He completed 14 of 28 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown before Max Johnson replaced him in the third quarter facing a 45-14 deficit. He had a nice 43-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kayshon Boutte but Alabama kept him contained otherwise in a game Alabama won, 55-17.
“We know he’s becoming a better player in a new system,” Alabama safety Jordan Battle said. “We know we’ve got to stay in our rush contains because he’s a mobile guy, and he can extend plays and keep his eyes downfield while he’s rushing. We’re really going to have to lock on our man.”
Special teams
Anyone with any history in this state knows the role special teams have played in Iron Bowls. Auburn will be without Anders Carlson who made field goals of 43, 52 and 44 yards the last time they played in Jordan-Hare but a torn ACL ended his season two weeks ago.
Ben Patton takes his place last week at South Carolina, making two PATs and a 37-yard field goal before missing from 25 yards in the fourth quarter. Alabama’s Will Reichard is 12-for-16 kicking field goals with only one miss inside 40 yards. Nick Saban said he was impressed with Tiger punter Oscar Chapman whose 45.3-yard average ranks 21st nationally. Alabama’s got the nation’s third-lowest punting average at 37.4 yards and its top punt returner, JoJo Earle, is injured.
Kickoff returner Jameson Williams could be an issue for Auburn since he returned two of the nine attempts for touchdowns with an average of 37.4 yards a pop. Teams have been kicking away from Williams but he’s always a threat
Matchup to watch
For Auburn to keep pace, it will need to slow Bryce Young and the Alabama passing attack that’s coming off a historic performance. The Alabama sophomore threw for a school-record 559 yards — breaking a 52-year-old mark by 75 yards — in a win over Arkansas.
The Tigers enter with the nation’s No. 78 pass defense, allowing 235.9 yards a game. It surrendered 415 yards two weeks ago to Mississippi State’s high-powered passing attack on an afternoon it lost a 28-3 lead.
Alabama’s relied much more on its eighth-ranked passing game with a ground game that’s 72nd nationally after losing two back up running backs to season-ending injuries. The combination of Young to Williams and John Metchie has been the key to powering an offense that’s scoring 44 points a game.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
