Aside from other SEC West programs, Mercer is in a unique situation in 2017 having played both Alabama and Auburn.

In September, Auburn beat Mercer just 24-10. The Tigers committed five turnovers, and it was an overall lackluster performance. Saturday, Alabama throttled Mercer 56-0, and the Bears never had a chance.

So, what does that tell us? Well, not too much, but being a common opponent, it gave Mercer’s coach and players the chance to discuss the differences between the Tide and Tigers.

“Well, if you look at the Auburn game early, I don’t really think Auburn had found themselves yet,” Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb said. “They were kind of spinning. They didn’t know which way they were going. They racked up 500 yards on us, but we got five turnovers. We were able to move the ball a little bit better. This team here [Alabama] is really good in all phases of the game and you add their punter who can punt it to the moon and back, it’s a very difficult football team.”

Mercer OL Thomas Marchman was asked about the differences, too.

“They’re pretty similar but with the Auburn game, we were in the game until halfway through the fourth quarter – we were down by seven with seven to ten minutes to go,” he said. “The pressure was building, whereas today we fell behind early and were crawling back trying to get points on the board. As far as the crowd goes and the level of play, I thought they were pretty similar.”

Bears LB Lee Bennett commented on the differences between the two rivals.

“Auburn is more of a spread type offense – trying to get outside and use their speed, whereas Alabama will try to use their strength and power it down your throat and that’s what they did today.”

Next Saturday’s Iron Bowl will decide which team represents the SEC West in the SEC Championship Game, along with a potential College Football Playoff berth.