When you grade men against men, you get a better overall picture of who's best.

Grading Strength Against Strength in the 2017 Iron Bowl

By: Larry Burton

Football boils down to one thing, it’s one man being able to whip his counterpart on a consistent basis for 60 minutes. So let’s objectively look at the matchups and grade them out as fairly as possible.

Auburn’s Offensive Line vs Alabama’s Defensive Front – Winner – Alabama This is the best defensive line Alabama will ever see this season.

Auburn’s Defensive Front vs Alabama’s Offensive Line – Winner – Auburn The Tigers will field the best defensive front Alabama has seen this year.

Overall best offensive line – Winner – Alabama But it’s a slight advantage. Alabama has allowed just 20 sacks to Auburn’s 26, but Alabama’s quarterback is much slipperier and adept to escape and that accounts for most of the difference. The real advantage is Alabama’s line providing blocking for more rushing yardage.

Overall best defensive front – slight edge depending on injuries – Alabama 

Overall best defensive front – Winner – Depending on injuries, close Alabama win

Overall best running backs – Hands down Alabama depth matters as does yards per carry averages and Alabama owns both those statistics

Overall best receiving group – Alabama

Best Quarterback – Hands down Alabama. Hurts is an unshakeable winner.

Best Defensive Secondary – Slight edge Alabama but may depend on injuries

Special Teams Overall –  Auburn

While Alabama has slight advantages in punting and field goal kicking, Auburn kills Alabama in punt and kickoff return yardage, plus Alabama has had major problems even catching punts.

The IT factor – Auburn’s IT factor for this game is Kerryon Johnson. If he rolls, Auburn rolls. Alabama’s IT factor is Jalen Hurts, if he’s hot, Bama’s on fire. Best IT factor – Alabama

The X factor – The X factor is always turnovers. Alabama has turned it over 7 times, 2 interceptions, five fumbles, but has taken the ball away 19 times for a difference of +7. Auburn has taken the ball away almost as much at 17, but has given the ball away 14 times for a net difference of just 3. Winner – Alabama

Summary Facts– Based on statistics at http://www.cfbstats.com

Total Scoring Offense – Alabama

Fewest Points Allowed Defense – Alabama

Rushing Defense – Alabama 

Rushing Offense – Alabama

Passing Offense – Auburn

Passing Defense – Alabama

Total Offense – Alabama

Total Defense – Alabama

Special Teams – Auburn

X factor – Turnovers – Alabama

Subjective Conclusions –

IT factor – Jalen Hurts – Alabama

Coaching – Alabama

Overall Winner – Hands down – Alabama

Larry has been published in almost every media outlet for college sports and now primarily writes here for Touchdown Alabama. Follow Larry on Twitter for inside thoughts and game time comments at https://twitter.com/LBSportswriter

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