Alabama is locked into the Iron Bowl, but the players are also having fun this week.
People have discussed the psychology of Hugh Freeze and whether he has an edge over Nick Saban.
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Freeze defeated Saban twice as Ole Miss’ head coach, but now he’s in a different environment. This year’s matchup for the Crimson Tide against Auburn features three Alabama coaches with ties to the Tigers. Kevin Steele, Travaris Robinson, and Gary Walker have brought extra energy to practice this week. Steele, 65, was Auburn’s defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2020, helping the Tigers beat the Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2017 and 2019. Robinson played defensive back at Auburn, served as a graduate assistant (2006-07), and coached defensive backs in 2015. Walker played under Steele at Auburn, and now he’s a graduate assistant at Alabama. Student-athletes for the Tide have been poking fun at all three guys all week. Roydell Williams, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Tim Kennan III — all Alabama natives — spoke to reporters about messing with all three coaches.
Steele, Robinson, and Walker know Auburn’s personnel, scheme, and what it takes to win at Jordan-Hare.
Steele could have been Auburn’s head coach, so he could show the Tigers what it missed out on. Robinson and Walker, former athletes for Auburn, have a chance to return to an old stomping ground and dominate. Alabama has to wipe the floor with Auburn to create more style points with the College Football Playoff Committee. CBS will have the call for the Iron Bowl at 2:30 p.m. CT.
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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.
