Alabama Preview: Iron Bowl Next for Tide and Tigers
It’s time for another Iron Bowl after a strange season for both teams.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
In many respects, it has been a rough college football season for the state of Alabama. Auburn, under second year coach Hugh Freeze, has underperformed for much of the season and enters Saturday’s Iron Bowl seeking bowl eligibility at 5-6. Meanwhile, Alabama has been terribly inconsistent yet entered last week’s game against an average Oklahoma squad on track for an SEC Championship game appearance as well as a trip to the inaugural College Football Playoff. Three hours and a disastrous loss later, Bama sits at a disappointing 8-3 in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Tide head coach and is a long shot for the playoff. They are out of the race for the SEC title game. The highs have been high for the Tide, which have included impressive wins over Georgia, LSU, and Missouri. Yet dreadful losses to unranked Vanderbilt in October and last week in Norman have put a damper on the 2024 campaign. As for Auburn, until last week, the Tigers were having a largely forgettable season, yet a 43-41 double overtime upset victory over Texas A&M on the Plains has injected hope and momentum heading into this year’s Iron Bowl. In addition, the Tigers are hungry to avenge last year’s heartbreaker against the Tide when Bama hit a 4th and 31 late in the game to steal the victory. It will be Senior Day in Tuscaloosa with the game set for 3:30 EST on ABC.
Auburn is led on offense by senior quarterback Peyton Thorne, who has had a hot and cold season yet has played well as of late. He is completing 63% of his passes and has tossed 20 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. His favorite targets are Penn State senior transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith (8 touchdown receptions) and standout freshman Cam Coleman (7 touchdown receptions). On the ground, senior tailback Jarquez Hunter (8 touchdowns) has had a fine campaign, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. The kicking game has been an issue, as Towns McGough has hit on only 5 of 12 attempts with a long of 32 yards. As a team, the Tigers have only hit 10 of 19 attempts. Overall, the offense is averaging 31 points per game. Defensively, the Tigers have been solidly led by a formidable front seven. The unit has recorded 27 total sacks, and their sack leaders, linebacker Jalen McClead and d-lineman Kendrick Faulk, have tallied 7 each. As a unit, the defense gives up an average of 20 points per game.
As for Alabama, the Tide’s offense is averaging 36 points per game. The undisputed leader is quarterback Jalen Milroe, and if he is on, the offense is potent. He is completing 65% of his passes and Milroe has tossed 15 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. He is dangerous on the ground, scoring 17 touchdowns. Backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have been inconsistent behind an offensive line that has underperformed. It has been the type of season that if the Tide needs 6 yards, the backs seem to only gain 5. Receiver Ryan Williams (8 touchdowns) has been quiet the last few weeks but is still averaging 19.1 yards per catch. Germie Bernard (2 touchdowns) is having a fine season as well, averaging 15.5 yards per catch. Last week against Oklahoma, the Sooners shut down Milroe in the run game and the rest of the offense struggled mightily. The only points came from reliable place kicker Graham Nicholson, who is 6 for 8 this season with a long kick of 47 yards. Defensively, the Tide have been gashed on the ground in losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma yet the unit, overall, has had a good season. The unit suffered a giant blow when linebacker and unit leader Deonte Lawson went down with a season ending injury against Oklahoma. Seniors Jihaad Campbell and Malachi Moore will lead the defense the rest of the way. The defense has given up an average of 17 points per game.
This one is a tough game to call. Auburn enters the contest with a lot of momentum and the Tigers are playing for bowl eligibility. Indeed, with a win, the Auburn faithful will officially mint the victory as the beginning of the end for the Tide against the Tigers. Under Freeze, Auburn’s only victory over a ranked opponent came last week against A&M. Auburn has only had three road games this season, beating Kentucky and falling to Missouri and Georgia. If Thorne is on target and if the running game can keep the chains moving, Auburn has a real shot to pull off the upset. On the other hand, Alabama is on a four-game winning streak against the Tigers and is 7-2 in the last nine against their in-state rivals. In addition, Auburn has not won in Tuscaloosa since 2010 and has been outscored during that stretch by an average of 25 points. This one will largely depend on Auburn’s ability to limit Milroe’s production on the ground. Tiger fans do not want to hear this, but Auburn’s defense has struggled against mobile quarterbacks all year. If Jalen and the Tide offense can get back on track after last week’s nightmare performance, Bama should have its way and record their fifth straight win over Auburn. If not, the Tigers are going bowling. To the relief of a panicked Bama fan base, here’s saying the Tide gets back on track.
Alabama 31
Auburn 20
