After thinking about it, here is my take:
Auburn has exceeded everyone's expectations this year. Much to the delight of the Auburn family and to the dismay of the Alabama nation. Alabama has continued on a methodical trek to play for another SEC and BCS national championship. Much to the delight of Bama fans and to the annoyance of the Auburn fan base.
This Iron Bowl is unlike any other ever played that I can recall. They've never played with both teams so highly ranked. They've never played with so much at stake. The Western division championship and a chance to play for the outright SEC championship rests in the outcome of Saturday's game. I believe winner of the Iron Bowl will have a place in the BCS championship game. And yes, I do think a 1 loss Auburn team is better and more deserving than an undefeated Ohio State team. If Auburn knocks off Alabama Saturday, as much as I hate to admit it, they deserve to play for the crystal ball.
No doubt being at home, they will play very well against Alabama. If Nick Marshall has a stellar day, and by that I mean a career high in rushing and passing, Auburn will be in the thick of it. However, Alabama just has more talent on both sides of the ball. Especially defensively. Both teams have almost identical average points scored per game. The huge difference is in the points allowed. Alabama is in the single digits and Auburn averages giving up over 20 points a game. This is were the separation will be seen.
That fine running back for Auburn will be held way below his season average and those 300 rushing yards per game Auburn has been gaining will be cut in half if not more. Just not going to be able to run wild on the Alabama defense. So, that puts the game in Nick Marshall arm. He's good but the Bama's secondary will handle him. On the other side of the ball, if by chance Bama gets up by ummmm lets say 24 points or so, I pray we keep scoring until the scoreboard blows a fuse. Keep feeding it to Drake, Yeldon, Fowler, and Tenpenny and keep throwing to Howard, Cooper, and Norwood. Don't see Auburn handling all that very well. I just better never see another debacle like 2010.
I expect the Auburn faithful will be cheering like maniacs and the emotions and the atmosphere of that game will be unlike anything since '89. This game has an eerie similarity to that one. However, I don't expect Alabama to let Auburn derail the train this time and the outcome will be much different. Congrats to Auburn on a very fine season but but this isn't your year.
Alabama 34
Auburn 17
Dr. B
Last edited by bamaeyedoc; 11/25/13 12:25 PM.
