The base of any good team is a strong offensive line, and Alabama is a really good team. The offensive line has been a work-in-progress this year, and is coming into the Iron Bowl playing the best they have all year. Good thing, too, considering Auburn has Dee Ford and his eight sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss on their side.
The Auburn offense is based on their prolific running game, but the passing attack leaves much to be desired. If there is anywhere the stout Alabama defense is vulnerable, it's in the defensive backfield, but the Tigers don't have the firepower to take advantage of the one small weakness in the Alabama armor.
Not to be outdone by the spread-rushing attack of Auburn, Alabama comes into the Iron Bowl with a classic power running game. This will be an old-school game where the best rushing team wins, and the Crimson Tide bring a talented group of backs to the table.
A.J. McCarron is quietly building a case as one of the best quarterbacks that college football has ever seen. What he lacks is a Heisman Trophy, and a big day against Auburn could be the signature game he needs to take home the award in his final college season.
In the end, this game is going to come down to whether Alabama can stop the Auburn rushing attack. I'll take Nick Saban and his fourth overall rush defense any day.
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