Published October 29, 2010 - 10:30am
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When Auburn defeated LSU last weekend, all eyes turned to the Iron Bowl as the determinant game for the SEC West this season. Though Auburn now stands in the No. 1 spot in the BCS poll, I argue that the Tide’s biggest remaining challenge this season awaits them in Death Valley next weekend, over the Iron Bowl.
Iron Bowl Always Difficult
I do not expect either Auburn or Alabama to dominate the Iron Bowl. The tension between these teams runs high and players tend to compete beyond their means when facing rivals on the field.
Auburn fans are quick to point to Alabama’s loss at South Carolina to proclaim Alabama vulnerable this November; however, a look at a few of Auburn’s games this season reveals similar weaknesses. An overtime win over an ACC Clemson team, and a last-minute game-winning field goal to beat Kentucky do not scream invincibility.
Alabama also holds the home advantage in the bowl. The Tide has not been defeated in Tuscaloosa since 2007, a winning streak players will be vehemently against losing to Auburn.
Auburn hails Cam Newton as the key to defeating the Tide, but Alabama plays well against teams with good quarterbacks. Look no further than 2009, when Alabama defeated Tim Tebow’s Florida Gators in the SEC Championship game, and more recently Ryan Mallet’s Razorbacks, have provided the Tide players with good practice in the effective handling of stand-out quarterbacks. The defense tends to rise to the occasion.
Overall, the Iron Bowl will belong to whichever team shows up to compete. The bowl is always tense and victory belongs to whoever plays the hardest, not who enters with the best ranking.
The Teams by the Numbers Right Now
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| Record | 7 and 1 | 8 and 0 |
| Average Spread Over Opponents | 18.625 | 13.875 |
| Average Points Scored For | 34.25 | 38.625 |
| Average Points Scored Against | 12.5 | 23.5 |
Playing LSU in Death Valley
No team looks forward to a meeting in Death Valley, especially a team whose last road game ended in a loss. Alabama plays worse on the road; its only loss and small-margin win against Arkansas, have been the Tide’s two worst performances of the season.
The home advantage held by LSU in Death Valley does not hold a quantifiable value; LSU’s often raucous fan-base is known for its spirit and fervor nationwide. LSU also holds a dear place in their hearts for former Coach Nick Saban, and Tiger fans dream of an upset.
The Tide tends to struggle not in high profile games, but in those without hype or extreme publicity. Alabama also struggles against teams that lack a key player, and rely on well-rounded offensive and defensive strategies.
South Carolina employed this strategy in their defeat of Alabama and as did the teams which gave Alabama the greatest challenges last year- LSU and Tennessee. LSU’s unusual dual-quarterback scheme will be unlike anything the Tide has encountered this season and may cause some hiccups for the team’s young defense in terms of preparation and adjustments. They simply cannot take the lack of quarterback production lightly.
The most difficult component of the LSU game may be the simple fact that it appears before Auburn on Alabama’s schedule. In preparation for playing the undefeated rival at home the Tide may be tempted to overlook LSU in its anticipation.
The Tide must remember that LSU’s only loss this season is to that same rival, Auburn, and that they must play this game with as much enthusiasm and effort to achieve a victory in Death Valley, as they would in the upcoming Iron Bowl.
Auburn may have its weaknesses BUT they have not lost…Alabama has.
This is how i see things. Bama will handle Auburn no problem ! The sad thing is that Auburn want be ranked No 1 when they play . WHy ?? Because Georgia will hand it to Auburn and spoil their fun . Auburn has not impressed me that much look at the close wins they had and they’re a one man team . South Carolina loses two more The DAWGS are going to finish strong and will play Bama in the SEC Championship .. Roll Tide and Go Dawgs !!! AUBURN IS NOT THE NO 1 in the nation.
Actually Jeff, have you checked the BCS Poll AU IS NO. 1!!!! I know you don’t like it, but that doesn’t make it incorrect! Bama will NOT “handle” AU no problem, I can’t until Bama has 3 losses, USC, LSU, and AU!! WAR EAGLE!!
The Saban ill-gotten house of cards will meet it’s undoubted downfall. The midget robot and his ego (which will only be satisfited when he’s eclipsed that drunken cheater you all hail) will begin a spiral. Just face it. The delusion is about to go into a death-spin. Gosh, what will Wal-Mart do?? WDE!!!
Jeff, sux to be you right now……don’t it? Embrace the irrealivance that is the Tide. LOL
Irrelivant you say? Hmmm, seems to me if Bama wins out (which I think they will do) they will go to the Title game and eventually to the Championship. However, in order to do that AU needs to keep winning. If they’re still the top team in the BCS standings when they come to T-Town, I think the Tide (which should be a lot healthier) takes care of buisness and jumps up to at least the #2 spot. If not, then maybe after the SEC Championship. Strength of schedule counts in the BCS and lets not forget Boise got jumped after shutting out their opponent by a previously unbeaten team because of it. So if you think we’re “Irrelivant” you’re sadly mistaken. Tide’s D exposes AU. WAR DAMN PIGEON!
Have you been to a game at Bryant Denny?
You realized the alumni and school spent the money during the down years to bring the team as well as the stadium to where it sits now? Saban will have BAMA ready and Cam Newton is one person. Bama has many stars and will continue to RISE UP. How many teams play six games against teams coming off their bye week?
And Bama has stayed ranked in the top 10…. not scrambled and held on to their spots. ROLL TIDE
REAL BAMA fans will have their Thanksgiving meal on Thursday and DESSERT on Friday!
Auburn is good, but not that good… They have been lucky.. They were given 2 free touchdowns against Arkansas..Auburns worse games have been away… Auburn was actually beat by Clemson and Kentucky(haha).. Alabama may have lost yes.. but Auburn will NEVER be what Alabama IS…Winner of 50 plus Bowl Games.. Over 20 SEC Championships and 13 crystal footballs… If Auburn gets one.. All i have to say is..about time..Stick your 1 in the corner, let you feel (Special) for once.Let Auburn feel like winners for once with a National Title..your last one was in 1957 so another 53 years you might get one more..by then Bama will have won 13 more.. If Alabama wins against LSU..AT LSU..Beware Auburn..early signs of an upset.. Bank on it..Cam Newton will cry as Tebow and Colt McCoy did…and they were twice as good. There is no I in team, Cam!!!
Very well written with very good points. Alabama is a very good football team though and they went two regular seasons undefeated. Being an LSU fan myself, I think the challenge is more on LSU this year as they have had no offense all year. Alabama brings a balanced game on both offense and defense and irregardless of mixed emotions about Nick Saban from LSU fans and players alike, one has to admire his coaching ability. I would never count Alabama or Nick Saban out under any situation. I hope for LSU to win ofcourse, but the day will be long if they are not prepared.
bama only beat ole miss by 13 points and auburn blowed thim out 51-31 the story tells it all and yall better be worried about lsu who’s defence is ten times better and we rused for over 400 plus on them so what do you think auburn is going to do to bama.
Auburn will get their ass handed to them no doubt.RTR