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Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS
Play-by-play: Verne Lundquist | Analysis: Gary Danielson | Sideline: Tracy Wolfson
Radio: Sirius/XM 86/91 | Auburn affiliates | Alabama affiliates
Online streaming: CBSSports.com
Opening line: Auburn +9.5 | Over/under: 55
Series history: Alabama 42-34-1 | At Jordan-Hare Stadium: Auburn 7-4 | Last 10: Auburn 6-4
Last meeting: Alabama 49, Auburn 0, Nov. 24, 2012, Bryant-Denny Stadium
Game-time forecast: High of 54, low of 40, 4 percent chance of precipitation
Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0, 7-0 SEC)
Head coach: Nick Saban (18th year: 165-55-1; seventh year at Alabama: 74-13)
Offensive coordinator: Doug Nussmeyer (pro-style)
Defensive coordinator: Kirby Smart (3-4)
SB Nation affiliate: Roll 'Bama Roll
Other coverage: Tuscaloosa News | al.com | Crimson White
The world will be cheering for Auburn Saturday afternoon because everyone is so damn sick of Alabama's dominant run. Tide fans will get up in arm if you call their three-titles-in-four-years run boring, but that's exactly what it is. And it's up to Auburn to put a stop to it. The challenge is still, as 'Bama ranks first in the SEC in scoring, rushing and total defense, and second in the conference in passing defense. The Crimson Tide offense ranks second in the SEC in scoring, averaging 39.7 points per game.
But there's hope! In their last game against a real opponent -- a 20-7 win at Mississippi State -- the Crimson Tide committed four turnovers and scored just two touchdowns on five red zone trips. Alabama's offense has struggled at times against moderately stiff competition, and while the rush defense is good, it hasn't faced anything close to Auburn's ground game.
KEY CRIMSON TIDES ON OFFENSE
A.J. McCarron, QB -- HE DESERVES THE HEISMAN BECAUSE HE'S A WINNER. Whatever. McCarron's numbers are great -- 68.6 completion percentage, 2,399 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions -- but compared to other top-tier quarterbacks, they aren't outstanding.
T.J. Yeldon, RB -- Yeldon's 1,022 yards, 12 touchdowns and 6.2 yards per carry are impressive. It would be just fine if his ball-security issues would crop up on Saturday.
Amari Cooper, WR -- Cooper hasn't been a world-beater this year -- 30 catches, 437 yards, three TDs -- but he still has incredible talent. If Auburn's secondary gets a little more aggressive to shut down underneath routes, Cooper could have a few big plays.
KEY CRIMSON TIDES ON DEFENSE
C.J. Mosley, LB -- Mosely is the best player in crimson and white, and he'll cause headaches for Auburn. He leads 'Bama with nine tackles for loss, and he's added 88 tackles, seven quarterback hurries, five pass breakups and a forced fumble.
A'Shawn Robinson, DE -- Robinson, only a freshman, leads his team with five sacks, and his six tackles for loss rank second.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S -- The junior has compiled 44 tackles, four pass breakups, two interceptions, 1.5 tackles for loss and one illicit payment from a Tide assistant coach in 2013.
