Nothing more important should be on the minds of Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football than Saturday’s game.
The Iron Bowl means everything in college football, especially for those who grew up in the state of Alabama. Both teams have bragging rights on the line to be state champions, but this weekend’s contest carries more significance. Auburn, who enters the game at 5-5, is coming off its best win of the season in upsetting Texas A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium, 43-41. The Tigers need one more victory to become bowl-eligible and it can get on Alabama’s watch at Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Hugh Freeze defeated Alabama twice when it was under Nick Saban in 2014 and 2015.
Freeze was the head coach of Ole Miss at the time, but he nearly beat the Tide last year as Auburn’s head coach. He saw his group with a 24-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, but an incredible play happened with seconds remaining in the game.
Jalen Milroe found Isaiah Bond for a 31-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone on a fourth down heave, better known as “Gravedigger.” Freeze is still steaming from that moment and wants revenge. Auburn has been doing a lot of talking this week; however, the Tigers are bringing big energy into Tuscaloosa, Ala. Coach DeBoer has had a roller coaster first year with the Tide.
We have seen Alabama handle marquee teams like Georgia and LSU, but fall to program such as Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Alabama fans were vehemently disappointed in the team’s 3-24 loss to the Sooners last week that ended its opportunity for a Southeastern Conference Championship shot and has it outside the College Football Playoff discussion.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
