Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham throws a touchdown pass during the first half of last week’s blowout win against Liberty. The Tigers should expect a much tougher test Saturday as they try to upset top-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa in the annual Iron Bowl rivalry matchup.NO. 1 ALABAMA (11-0, 7-0) vs. AUBURN (7-4, 3-4 SEC)
3:30 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
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THE MATCHUP
Auburn has averaged 17 points in the past three Iron Bowls and could have trouble reaching that number with an offense that ranks 10th in the Southeastern Conference and inflated its average with routs of Alabama State, 63-9, and Liberty, 53-0. The Tigers’ rushing average in their other nine games is only 118.9 yards, and now they must deal with disruptive Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. “He’s playing at an extremely high level,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “He’s very impressive to watch, not just stopping the run but coming off blocks and being athletic to make plays. He disrupts stuff in the passing game. Anytime a defense can get pressure up the middle, that changes things. He has consistently done that, even when he’s been double-teamed. He’s got a gift.” Williams, who was committed to Auburn for a few months in 2015, has 55 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries, six sacks and a safety this season.
ONE TO WATCH
Given that Alabama already has two shutouts over SEC teams this month, Auburn’s hopes rest on redshirt junior Jarrett Stidham, who is seeking to become the first Tigers quarterback with consecutive Iron Bowl triumphs since Jason Campbell (2002-04) and Brandon Cox (2005-07) each won three straight. Stidham completed 21 of 28 passes for 237 yards in last November’s 26-14 triumph, and he also kept the Crimson Tide guessing with 12 rushes for 51 yards and a touchdown. Stidham has not had as many productive games this season with offensive linemen and running backs who haven’t come close to matching last year’s success. “I think you’ve seen him consistently get better,” Malzahn said. “He’s protecting the ball. The great thing you have with Jarrett is he played extremely well in this game last year, so he kind of knows what he’s getting into, and I think that’s very important, too.”
IN THE END
The Tide are favored by 24.5 points, which represents the largest Iron Bowl spread since 2012, when they rolled 49-0. “It’s always a great challenge in this game because it’s a great rivalry game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “They’ve got a very good defensive team, and they’ve got weapons on offense who can make some explosive plays. It’s going to take a great team effort on our part to have success.” This shouldn’t be 49-0, but it shouldn’t be close, either.
PREDICTION
Alabama 31, Auburn 10