TUSCALOOSA—A capacity crowd full of screaming fans and high-prized recruits will flood Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday for the 81st meeting between Alabama and Auburn.
The Crimson Tide is in search of its third undefeated regular season under Nick Saban since 2008, and its third straight victory over Auburn. As for the Tigers, a win moves it to 9-3 on the year; providing it with an opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl (despite a 1-2 start). UT-Chattanooga nick’d up a couple of Alabama players last week, but according to Saban, the team should be fully healthy in taking on Auburn.
Focus will be the key for the Tide this week, as its 2013 recruiting class remembers the heartache it suffered at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Coach Gus Malzahn expects to exhaust every option on offense and defense to generate a close contest throughout, however, will it be enough to upset the Tide at home? As we get ready for an intense rivalry game, yours truly has listed five impact players for Alabama heading into this year’s contest.
Alabama impact players in 2016 Iron Bowl
5. Bo Scarbrough, Running back
Part of the disappointment with Scarbrough is that he hasn’t been fully healthy all season.
He’s put together some good performances against Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU, but always seems to get banged up after a strong outing. The sophomore missed the last two games due to a bruised knee and despite the emergence of Josh Jacobs, Saban told the media on Monday that Scarbrough should play against Auburn.
He matches well with Kamryn Pettway (6-foot, 240 pounds) as a power back between the tackles, yet Scarbrough has more speed than Pettway. He’s fourth on the team in rushing with 358 yards and five scores on 62 carries. Damien Harris will start the contest as usual, but expect to see Scarbrough pound Auburn’s front.
4. ArDarius Stewart, Wide receiver
Not having Stewart on the field hurt Alabama against UT-Chattanooga.
He’s the head assassin at receiver and the emotional leader on offense. The junior has totaled three 100-yard games (USC, Arkansas, Mississippi State), while being the favorite weapon of Jalen Hurts. A violation of team rules benched Stewart last week, but he should be able to suit up on Saturday—if he’s done all that’s required in the protocol. He stands as Alabama’s leading receiver with 39 catches for 683 yards and seven touchdowns.
3. Jalen Hurts, Quarterback
He has set a lot of records, but Hurts can start his own path of greatness in the Iron Bowl this week.
Regardless of wanting to run the ball and force Auburn’s secondary to commit, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin intends to roll Hurts out and get his confidence going early. Consistency in exploring the deep ball patterns shall continue on Saturday. The Tigers have force nine interceptions, but it still remains susceptible to the deep ball if Alabama maintains balance. Hurts has hit on 64.8 percent of his throws for 2,168 passing yards.
He chimes in with 30 total touchdowns to 12 turnovers, and remains in the thick of the Heisman conversation.
2. Reuben Foster, Inside linebacker
His journey to the University of Alabama has been thoroughly documented.
Foster probably doesn’t have a moment in which he’s not reminded of the Auburn tattoo and what he turned down in his decision to play for the Tide. The former five-star recruit had a terrible first Iron Bowl that ended on a infamous “Kick 6” at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2013. He’s been a force on special teams and defense since then, but Foster looks to be a part of an Alabama team that delivers Saban his third straight victory over the Tigers. As an instinctive signal caller, the senior inside linebacker leads the team in tackles with 75.
Foster’s totaled nine tackles for loss, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups to his credit. The Auburn, Ala., native anchors a front that leads the nation in run defense (68.9 ypg), while being second in the league in sacks (40), scoring defense (11.4 ppg) and total defense (252.6 ypg).
Behind Foster, Alabama hasn’t given up a touchdown in 13 quarters.
1. Cam Robinson, Offensive tackle
One of the headline match-ups this week will be Alabama’s offensive line against Auburn’s front seven.
A war between two NFL-caliber players is the centerpiece for the battle in Tigers’ defensive end Carl Lawson and Tide’s offensive tackle Cam Robinson. Lawson is healthy for the first time since his freshman season (2013), and it’s sparked Auburn’s entire defense. The 6-foot-2, 253-pounder leads the team in sacks (nine), tackles for loss (12.5) and quarterback pressures (23), while helping to force five turnovers.
UT-Chattanooga found ways to disrupted Alabama’s timing, which led to three sacks of Hurts. Though Robinson (shoulder) is expected to play, the question will be his effectiveness in shielding Lawson away from Hurts. Aside from a few false start penalties, the Monroe, La., native has stood his ground at left tackle.
He’s blocked for 10 100-yard rushers this season, while aiding Hurts to a record-setting freshman year.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
