CFB: Alabama vs. Auburn Preview
We have seen some absolute thrillers during the 2017-18 college football campaign, headlined by games such as Georgia slipping past Notre Dame, USC defeating Texas in double overtime, Oklahoma staving off Oklahoma State to win the Bedlam Series, and of course, the two Game of the Year candidates so far: Ohio State coming back to shock Penn State, 39-38, and UCF staying unbeaten with a 49-42 victory over rival South Florida. But, then again, there's always more games, and this one, the latest Iron Bowl could take the cake. It's only the second time in rivalry history that the winner of the Alabama vs. Auburn game will automatically win the SEC West and will, therefore stay in College Football Playoff contention. Our CFB Staff - Caleb Henderson, Charles Post, Chase Zayac, Chinedum Wejinya, Greg Schwochow, and Tyler Taylor - will predict who wins.
Before that, though, check out our entire Rivalry Week Preview.
Quarterbacks (Jalen Hurts vs. Jarrett Stidham): The Crimson Tide trust their second-year signal caller to come through in the clutch, just as he did in a pair of tight road games against Texas A&M and Mississippi State on the road. Hurts has thrown for 1,828 yards while completing 61.5 percent of his attempts, for 14 touchdowns, and impressively, just one interception. Stidham is in his first year with the Tigers after transferring from Baylor, and he's been one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. His statistics are more noteworthy than Hurts', going for 2,445 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four picks, but Hurts is 25-1 in his career at Alabama. It's difficult not to give him the edge against almost anyone.
Advantage: Alabama.
Running Backs (Damien Harris vs. Kerryon Johnson): The Tigers have a stud in the backfield, and he's been incredible for the majority of the season, surpassing 1,000 yards, while going for 16 (!) touchdowns, and a 5.3 average yards per carry. And when is the last time we've looked at an Alabama game and realistically said they didn't have the advantage in the running game? With guys like Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Derrick Henry, and now Harris and Bo Scarbrough, it doesn't happen very often. Harris, the leader of the pack is a great back, don't get me wrong, going for 855 yards on a fantastic 8.2 yards per rush, but he hasn't had the effectiveness that Johnson does on the other side.
Advantage: Auburn.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends (Calvin Ridley vs. Ryan Davis): The Crimson Tide have so many good pass catchers, led by Ridley, but Jerry Jeudy, Cam Sims, and Robert Foster are no joke. Ridley has 858 yards on 52 catches in his junior year, while the other three guys have combined for a respectable 545 yards and 35 receptions. The Tigers' receiving corps is a little more balanced, but isn't nearly as talented, nor does it have a deep threat like Ridley. Davis is a pretty good option on short routes, catching 58 balls for 564 yards, while the guy just behind him, Darius Slayton, is the guy that Stidham tries to hit for big plays. Slayton has just 19 catches, but for 533 yards and an amazing 28.1 yards per catch average.
Advantage: Alabama.
Defense (Minkah Fitzpatrick vs. Tray Matthews): The Crimson Tide, as usual, have one of the most elite defenses in the country, but it's not as deep as we're used to, and since an injury to Sean Dion Hamilton, the linebacker spot hasn't been nearly as effective. Which means guys like Anthony Averett, Fitzpatrick, Da'Shawn Hand, Ronnie Harrison, and others will have to make plays. I don't think Alabama can win this game unless they create at least one turnover, and it could come from one of those guys. On the other side, Auburn's front seven is legitimate, and it's going to come down to Hurts' ability to pass over Carlton Davis and Matthews in the secondary.
Advantage: Alabama.
Special Teams (J.K. Scott vs. Daniel Carlson): The Crimson Tide have seen a ton of improvement in special teams compared to other years, as Scott has looked good, going 8-8 on extra points, while Andy Pappanastos is making field goals at a 78.9 percent clip. But, neither of those guys are the SEC all-time leading scorer. Do you know who is? Auburn's Carlson. He has 462 points in his career, 50 more than second place, and he is 51-51 on extra points in 2017. He is also making 76 percent of his field goal attempts, including 11-12 from 20-39 yards. He has a long of 54 yards. It's very possible that the Iron Bowl could come down to a special teams play, as it did in 2013, and Auburn has the edge again.
Advantage: Auburn.
Predictions: According to ESPN's Football Power Index, Alabama has a 60.7 percent chance to win this game and remain undefeated. The Crimson Tide average a +31.2 point differential, compared to Auburn's +21.0 points. Alabama averages just 3.3 more total yards per game, compared to the Tigers, but the latter gets 23.0 more passing yards per night. The difference could come when Alabama is on defense, because that's usually where the Crimson Tide enforce their will upon their opponent, and the fact that they give up just 244.1 total yards and 87.4 rushing yards per game could come into play. Auburn on the other hand, allows 302.5 total yards per game, including 118.2 yards on the ground. Who wins the 2017 Iron Bowl?
Caleb Henderson: Alabama (31-27)
Charles Post: Alabama (30-24)
Chase Zayac: Alabama (27-24)
Chinedum Wejinya: Alabama (24-21)
Greg Schwochow: Alabama (21-17)
Tyler Taylor: Auburn (28-20)
Photo Credit: The Gauger.
