Even though his team is undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the country, Auburn football coach Gene Chizik could do without so many active scoreboards.
The Tigers are averaging a whopping 43 points a game entering Friday afternoon’s trip to 11th-ranked Alabama, but they’re allowing a not-so-stellar 25 points per contest. Considering Alabama has a formidable arsenal with quarterback Greg McElroy, receiver Julio Jones and the tailback tandem of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, might this be the first Iron Bowl in which both teams surpass 30 points?
“I’m never into a track meet,” Chizik said Monday. “That’s not what we want, but we have to play well defensively against a team like this or it would be a track meet. They certainly have the potential to make it that, so we’re going to have to play really well on defense.
“I’d like it to be a track meet for our offense, but I’d like that every week. We’re not anticipating that. We’re anticipating an extremely tough game.”
Alabama set a school record last season by amassing 5,642 yards, which in 14 games translated to 403 yards a game. This season’s Tide offense is ahead of last year’s clip with 434.6 yards a game but won’t get the benefit of playing 14 games.
The Crimson Tide are averaging 35.3 points per game this year compared to the 32.1-point average compiled by last season’s BCS championship team.
“They have some great weapons,” Auburn senior linebacker and leading tackler Josh Bynes said. “Both of their running backs are dangerous weapons, and everybody knows across the nation that they’re hard, physical runners. What do they call them: ‘Fast and Furious’?
“They definitely try to establish the running game, but last year they threw it down the stretch to win the game.”
Auburn was stout against the run in last year’s Iron Bowl, holding Ingram and Richardson to 81 yards on 31 carries. The Tide pulled out last year’s meeting 26-21 behind a 15-play, 79-yard drive in which McElroy converted three third downs, with the third being a 4-yard touchdown toss to Roy Upchurch.
All three of McElroy’s conversions were from 5 yards or less.
“For us to be able to be in this ballgame, our defense has to be able to make some plays on early downs,” Chizik said. “I don’t think there’s any question with the rhythm that they’re in, with a controlled passing game that they’re really efficient at and the physical downhill running game, we’re going to have to be good on those early downs and try to get some negative plays. It’s going to start with our defensive line and all four of those guys up front.”
Leading the way for Auburn is junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who tops the SEC with 18 tackles for loss and Monday was named one of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award. Fairley, however, will be watched closely after a late-hit penalty Nov. 13 in which he lowered his helmet into the back of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray.
Backup defensive tackle Mike Blanc and part-time starting defensive end Michael Goggans must sit out the first half in Tuscaloosa as the result of being ejected against Georgia.
Auburn had won four straight times at Alabama until 2008, when the Tigers were humiliated 36-0. It will be the first Iron Bowl in Bryant-Denny for Fairley and the first one period for quarterback Cam Newton and tailback Michael Dyer, who are getting prepped this week.
“This state is divided and is going to shut down,” senior guard Mike Berry said. “Coming from Tennessee, I didn’t know too much about it, but you come here and inherit the rivalry. Grown men cry over this game.”
Said Bynes: “After our first game this year, I had someone come up to me and say, ‘You had a good game, but beat Alabama for me.’ Alabama was 11 games away.”