Alabama football fans are very confident most times when it comes to the Iron Bowl.
This year, however, supporters of the Crimson Tide are concerned. Auburn is coming off an impressive upset victory over a ranked Texas A&M team at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Hugh Freeze and the Tigers (5-6) are one win away from becoming bowl-eligible, and it can get it on its in-state rival. Alabama enters the matchup at 8-3 after an embarrassing, 3-24 loss to Oklahoma on the road last week. The defeat ended the Tide’s hope of making a Southeastern Conference Championship Game and has its College Football Playoff hopes on the thinnest of margins. Saturday’s contest should be all the matters for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama’s offense has been the most inconsistent part of its game all year. Whether it has been Nick Sheridan’s play-calling, poor decision-making by Jalen Milroe, or a combination of things, the Tide has not been elite on offense. This is an Alabama offense that scored 40-plus points versus Wisconsin, Georgia, and LSU, but struggled against Tennessee (17 points) and Oklahoma.
Chris Stewart, a radio broadcaster for Alabama football and men’s basketball via Crimson Tide Sports Network, detailed his biggest concern for the Tide on 3 Man Front this week via WJOX 94.5 FM in Birmingham, Ala.
“That was not a good offense last week…. What they’re (Auburn) doing best is something Alabama did poorly.” @CStewartSports with @UA_CTSN tells us what potential concerns Auburn presents vs Alabama this week 👀⬇️ @AlabamaFTBL | @AuburnFootball pic.twitter.com/RbqfwU2OGd
— 3 Man Front (@3ManFront) November 27, 2024
“I think Payton Thorne is obviously a concern, but it’s gotta begin with what Auburn has been able to do on the ground,” Stewart said. “Jarquez Hunter running 28 times for three scores is a problem. The fact that he is running as well as he has over the course of the year is a concern. When Payton Thorne is dialed in and locked in as we saw for some of the ball game last year, that is a problem. They (Auburn) are capable of moving the football and Alabama has got to move it in a way we have seen the majority of the year. That was not a good offense last week. … You go from 42 points at LSU and two weeks later, you score three at Oklahoma. That is a concern. It will be more than a test. It is going to be a challenge because what they (Auburn) are doing best is something Alabama did poorly.”
Alabama captain Malachi Moore comes to Kalen DeBoer’s defense as Crimson Tide’s head coach
Jarquez Hunter had 130 yards rushing in Auburn’s win over Texas A&M, while Payton Thorne tossed for 301 passing yards and touchdowns. The Tigers are coming in with big confidence on offense, and the Tide still has not found its foundation.
Alabama has to be on its A game this weekend.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
