SEC Rivalry Week: Games of the Week

Nov 21, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Stewart (9) celebrates with receiver Tony Stevens (8) after scoring a touchdown against the Idaho Vandals during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Vandals 56-34. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

2 Alabama VS Auburn

Location:  Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

Game Time:  Saturday, November 28 3:300PM ET

TV:  CBS

Alabama has hit its stride.  Have there been scares this year?  Absolutely.  Have the Crimson Tide found a way to avoid disaster?  Absolutely.  With the SEC Championship within reach and the College Football Playoff not far ahead, Alabama has one more task at hand this Saturday.  Enter the Auburn Tigers.

Auburn was picked by many in the preseason to be in Alabama’s shoes at this point in the year.  Hindsight is always 20-20, and it tells us that those were not only false projections — but absurd.  Auburn has struggled all year with no identity on offense and no support on the defensive side of the ball.

Nov 21, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fan holds up a sign referring to the Tides next opponent during the game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

All of that spells disaster for the Tigers Saturday.  We’ve all heard you can throw out the record books in rivalry games, and that has proven to be true some years.

But this will be a tall order for the Tigers.  Only once has Alabama entered the Iron Bowl ranked and went on to lose to Auburn.  The chances of that happening a second time are slim.

Alabama’s front seven is downright brutal on opposing offenses.  For an Auburn offense that has struggled all year, it doesn’t look good.

Alabama possesses a running game that can wear down not only the Auburn defense, but Jordan-Hare Stadium’s crowd late.  Auburn will be playing for pride now that a bowl bid is locked up.

Could the Tigers find themselves in Florida with an upset win?  Potentially, but not likely.  Alabama, on the other hand, will look to wrap up the SEC Western Division race with a win before the Egg Bowl kicks off.

The Iron Bowl has always been one of College Football’s most passionate rivalries.  That alone will make it worth the watch, regardless of the outcome.  The more interesting game will take place one state over once this one wraps up.

Never discount an SEC rivalry game, though.