A lot of confidence is on the side of Auburn for this year’s Iron Bowl matchup.
The Tigers have beaten Alabama in two of the last three years, and its fans see a win on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Despite the coaching of Gus Malzahn and play of Bo Nix at quarterback being unpredictable at times, the one constant for Auburn against the Crimson Tide has been its run game. During its victories in 2007, 2013, 2017 and last year, Malzahn saw his running backs and quarterbacks work together to total 100-plus yards rushing on the Tide. The combination of Brad Lester and Brandon Tate had success in 2007, while the duo of Tre Mason and Nick Marshall gashed Alabama in the 2013 season.
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Kerryon Johnson dominated the Tide with 104 yards rushing on 30 carries in 2017, and the likes of JaTarvious Whitlow (114) and Nix (44, one touchdown) controlled the tempo in 2019. Normally, the team that controls the pace of the game wins it.
In this year’s signing class, Auburn got a very talented back in Tank Bigsby.
A true freshman from LaGrange, Ga., he carries power, speed, a stiff arm, contact balance and toughness. Through seven games, he has been one of the biggest stars in the Southeastern Conference. The 6-foot, 204-pounder chimes in with 527 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 92 carries. Along with averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 75.3 yards/game, he has three 100-yard performances against Arkansas (146), South Carolina (111) and Ole Miss (129). Bigsby is eighth in the SEC for carries and yards, while tying for sixth in rushing touchdowns. He brings a sense of nasty to Auburn’s offense, but he left the game early versus Tennessee because of a lower body injury. The Tigers will be monitoring him throughout the week in practice.
Aside from Bigsby, Auburn has D.J. Williams and Shaun Shivers at running back.
Williams has more power, but Shivers possesses speed, shiftiness and can bounce off tacklers.
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Even at quarterback, Bo Nix has three rushing scores. This matchup becomes highly important for Pete Golding (Alabama’s defensive coordinator) and Alabama’s defensive front. After struggling with Kentucky’s ground game in the first quarter, the Crimson Tide made adjustments and looked better as the game went on. It cannot afford a slow start in the Iron Bowl, especially if Bigsby is able to play. The tandem of Christian Harris and Dylan Moses must be rock solid at inside linebacker.
Both guys have to quickly fit the gaps and limit Auburn’s production. Also, the group of DJ Dale, Christian Barmore, Byron Young, LaBryan Ray, Phidarian Mathis, Justin Eboigbe, Tim Smith and Jamil Burroughs have to maintain gap discipline up front.
Malzahn’s offense has always been predicated on shifts, motions and movements before the snap. As we have seen throughout his coaching career, Malzahn will use tempo upon the Tigers getting a first down.
Since its meeting with Ole Miss, the Tide has surrendered just 11 points per game.
Coach Saban’s group is now first in the SEC for scoring defense (19.3 ppg) and has cracked into the top-20 nationally.
A major challenge comes this week in stopping Auburn’s rushing attack, but Alabama is set for the task.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
