What Are The Keys To An Auburn Victory Over Alabama?
The greatest rivalry in all of college football is here. This game has featured many iconic moments like Punt Bama Punt, Bo Over The Top, The Camback, and the infamous Kick Six.
Alabama and Auburn currently sit at very different places in their respective programs. Alabama is pushing for an SEC championship and a spot in the college football playoff. Auburn is currently under a rebuild with first-year head coach Hugh Freeze.
Auburn has nothing of major left to play for except playing spoiler for Alabama. Considering Alabama already has a loss to Texas it is certain that a loss here for the Crimson Tide would all but end their playoff opportunities.
Let's get into what Auburn needs to do to get a win over Alabama.
Auburn Defense Controlling The Pace
To have a chance Saturday Auburn needs to turn the heat up on Jalen Milroe. This isn't an impossible feat as Alabama ranks 124th in the country in sacks allowed, and 12th in the SEC.
If the Tigers can dial up the pressure and force Milroe into making a couple of mistakes would be the difference to overcome the current talent gap between the two rosters.
Other than forcing turnovers Auburn needs to keep Jalen Milroe within the pocket. If Milroe gets outside the pocket and starts converting third and fourth downs with his legs Auburn has very little chance to win this game.
Auburn's Approach On Offense
Alabama comes into this game with one of the top sack units in the country ranking seventh in the country in sack percentage. The Auburn offense ranks 119th in sack percentage allowed. If Auburn tries to let Payton Thorne scan the field and make his progressions it will be a long day for the Auburn offense.
Instead Auburn needs to feature the run game and use the quick pass game off of it. Auburn has one of the top rushing offenses in the SEC averaging 5 yards per carry, good for fifth in the SEC, and 191 yards per game which is third in the SEC.
Jordan-Hare Stadium Magic
I'm fully convinced that JHS was built on top of an Indian burial ground from the weird things I have seen happen there. Go ask an older Alabama fan about playing in JHS. Go ask Nick Saban. If you gave them truth serum they would tell you that there isn't a place that they are more nervous to play at than JHS.
A big part of is how loud that stadium can/has gotten. if Alabama wants to give themselves the best opportunity to win you better Auburn and most importantly the crowd to bed.
Summary
To wrap this up Auburn is going to need to play its best game it has all year. I am going to be interested to see how this Auburn team gets up off the mat after suffering a brutal loss to New Mexico State. Will they give up and let Alabama run over them or will they show some grit and fight back? Only time will tell.