Greg McElroy

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama senior cornerback Javier Arenas never really cared for the Crimson Tide’s rivalry with Auburn.

Never had reason.

“I didn’t think it was that important when I was a freshman, because I was from Florida and was more hung up on the Florida-Florida State rivalry,” Arenas said. “I didn’t think this game meant that much until I stepped out of the tunnel and it was 20 degrees and guys had their shirts off with profanity on their chests. It’s four times more important to me now, because this is my fourth year.”

The Tide’s 45-0 win over UTC was only minutes old Saturday when players were barraged with questions concerning Friday’s trip to Auburn. Alabama is 11-0 and can complete a second straight undefeated regular season with a win over the Tigers.

Auburn is 7-4 in Gene Chizik’s first season, had an open date this past weekend and has the nation’s No. 16 offense (averaging 441.45 yards per game). The Tigers will be challenging the nation’s No. 1 defense — Alabama allows just 225.18 yards per game — and can’t fare any worse offensively than last season’s 36-0 loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“It’s going to be difficult preparation, because they do a really good job with their offense and with their personnel and with their formations,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “They have a really good back and run the ball effectively, and they’ve had a lot of explosive plays in their passing game. Sometimes it’s when people don’t adjust properly, and sometimes it’s when people are trying to stop the run.”

Auburn senior Ben Tate (1,209) and Alabama sophomore Mark Ingram (1,399) provide this year’s game with two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time since Kenny Irons and Kenneth Darby in 2005. Tate added some spice to that matchup earlier this month by saying he was the best back in the state.

“I don’t know what to make of that,” Tide quarterback Greg McElroy said. “He wouldn’t get my vote, and I think that goes without saying. If that’s the way he feels, then I guess we’ll find out.”

Said Ingram: “He’s a great runner and I appreciate the way he runs the ball, but I’m not going to talk about anything. I’m going to let the way I play talk for me.”

Saban planned on front-loading his practice schedule with the short week, moving Tuesday’s schedule to today. He believes his players can get re-energized quickly since many sat out half of Saturday’s shutout.

His players seemed plenty pumped about a rivalry in which Alabama is only 2-7 this decade.

“It’s the last time I get to play Auburn, and it’s at their place,” linebacker Cory Reamer said. “For the people in this state, it really makes or breaks a season. It’s a one-game season from here on out, and we’re going to be preparing like it is.”