Game To Watch: #22 Auburn at #1 Alabama: November 28, 2020

In state rivals, Auburn and Alabama will collide in the Iron Bowl this Saturday at 3:30. The Tigers are 5 – 2 and ride a three game winning streak into Saturday’s game. Alabama is 8 – 0 and ranked #1 in the first College Football Playoff ranking. Every game is critical but these teams need no extra motivation when facing their rival.

Recent History

Alabama has won six of the last ten match-ups between the two teams, but Auburn has taken two of the last three including a 48 – 45 shootout win last year. Alabama won the 2018 contest between the two teams in a rout 52 – 21. Over the past decade, Alabama has won by double digits in all six of their wins against Auburn, while the Tigers have won by one score or less in three of their four wins.

Top 25 Players

What To Watch For…

Can Auburn slow down the Alabama offense?

The Alabama offense has been averaging 49.4 points per game this year and has scored at least 38 points in every game. Quarterback Mac Jones has made good decisions, distributing the ball to an unbelievable group of playmakers. Even without the injured Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and John Metchie are as good a duo of receivers as their is in college football. Najee Harris is a punishing running back who balances out the offense. In addition to the excellent talent at the skill positions, Alabama has one of the best offensive lines in the country. No one has figured out a way to slow down the Alabama offense in 2020. Auburn has not allowed over 30 points on defense this season and has played very well of late, holding LSU and Tennessee to 11 and 17 points in the last two games. Auburn does not have the star power on the defensive line they had a year ago, but instead rely on the front seven as a unit to be disruptive and create negative plays. The Tigers will need to have several players step up and make big plays to slow down an Alabama offense that looks unstoppable in 2020.

Can Auburn repeat their scoring from 2019?

Auburn lit up the scoreboard against Alabama in last year’s game, outscoring Alabama 48 – 45. The Tigers scored on defense, and extended drives with fourth down conversions. There was nothing conventional about the way Auburn found the 48 points to get the win. Unconventional is not easy to repeat, so it’s not likely that Auburn can score in 40’s again with just 354 yards of offense again. Auburn will have to play better on offense and move the ball against the Alabama defense to score points. Bo Nix is a sophomore now and will have to be more consistent in the passing game and be a true threat in the running game. Auburn lost star freshman running back Tank Bigsby to injury against Tennessee and he is questionable for Saturday’s game. Bigsby has developed into a star for the Tigers and Auburn will need him in the backfield to score against the Crimson Tide.

Can Auburn force big turnovers again?

Auburn won the turnover battle 2 – 1 in last year’s game but made both turnovers count. They returned two Mac Jones’ interceptions for touchdowns scoring 14 points defensively to help the offense outscore Alabama. It’s unlikely that Auburn is going to shutdown the offense this year either and will instead need to win a shootout again. Alabama has taken good care of the ball and only lost seven turnovers so far this year. Auburn will need to disrupt the Alabama offense and force mistakes that are uncharacteristic of the Alabama offense to win. In a 2020 twist, Alabama will be without Nick Saban, who tested positive for Covid this week, so perhaps Auburn can create some confusion and get the big play they need on defense.

Prediction

Auburn has been a thorn in Alabama’s side repeatedly this decade. They will likely have a few surprises for the Crimson Tide early in the game and may be able to build a lead in the first half. Over the course of the game, Alabama’s stars will make big plays and help the Crimson Tide pull away for an Iron Bowl win at home. Alabama 41 Auburn 27.

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