NCAAF Game Preview - Alabama at Auburn
Sat Nov 30, 2019 3:30 PM EST

TxAM
7
LSU
50
F
OSU
56
Mich
27
F
Clem
38
SCar
3
F
UGA
52
GATec
7
F
Bama
45
Aub
48
F
Colo
15
Utah
45
F
Okla
34
OkSt
16
F
FlaSt
17
Fla
40
F
Wisc
38
MIN
17
F
Bayl
61
Kans
6
F
Rut
6
PSU
27
F
OreSt
10
Oreg
24
F
ND
45
Stan
24
F
Cin
24
Mem
34
F
Iowa
27
Neb
24
F
Boise
31
ColSt
24
F
App
48
Troy
13
F
VaTec
30
UVA
39
F
Navy
56
Hou
41
F
Ohio
52
Akr
3
F
WestMI
14
NIU
17
F
Miss
20
MissSt
21
F
Kent
34
E Mi
26
F
Toled
7
C Mi
49
F
BGSU
7
Buff
49
F
MiaOH
27
Ball
41
F
TxTch
24
Tex
49
F
MIZ
24
Ark
14
F
WaSt
13
Wash
31
F
WVU
20
TCU
17
F
ArkSt
30
SoAl
34
F
SoFL
7
UCF
34
F
TxSt
21
CoCar
24
F
Tuls
49
ECU
24
F
NW
29
Ill
10
F
Ind
44
Purd
41
F(1OT)
FLInt
27
Marsh
30
F OT
Lou
13
KY
45
F
Wake
30
Syr
39
F OT
Wyo
6
AF
20
F
MidTN
26
W Ky
31
F
UNCC
38
OD
22
F
NMS
28
Lib
49
F
UNLV
33
NEV
30
F OT
Rice
30
UTEP
16
F
UConn
17
Temp
49
F
UTSA
27
LT
41
F
BC
26
Pitt
19
F
MD
16
MSU
19
F
SMiss
17
FlAtl
34
F
MiaFL
17
Duke
27
F
Tul
20
SMU
37
F
UtSt
38
NM
25
F
UAB
26
NorTx
21
F
Vand
10
Tenn
28
F
GASt
10
GaSo
38
F
IASt
17
K St
27
F
UNC
41
NCSt
10
F
ULMon
30
ULLaf
31
F
BYU
3
SDSU
13
F
Ariz
14
AzSt
24
F
Cal
28
UCLA
18
F
Fres
16
SJSU
17
F
Army
31
Hawaii
52
F
Alabama-Auburn Preview
Fri Nov 29, 2019 1:19 PM

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Alabama coach Nick Saban turned some heads this week when he lavished praise on Auburn.

"So, this is the best team we've played, probably, so far this year, and it will be the most challenging place that we've played," Saban said.

The latter is likely true. No. 1 LSU would probably like a word about the "best team" point, however.

The fifth-ranked Crimson Tide visits No. 16 Auburn Saturday with its playoff hopes on the line, and no guarantees even with an Iron Bowl win.

The reason for that precarious position and why that Saban comment got some attention: LSU, which won close games against both the Tide and Auburn.

That leaves Alabama (10-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 5 College Football Playoff) fifth in the playoff rankings and far from a sure thing even with a win over Auburn (8-3, 4-3, No. 15 CFP). The sure thing is that a loss would eliminate `Bama from playoff consideration - in addition to giving Auburn fans a yearlong supply of bragging rights.

A dominant win could at least give Alabama a stronger case for the selection committee if one of the top four teams loses. Tide linebacker Anfernee Jennings said that doesn't necessarily require a mind-set change.

"We want to win big every week," Jennings said. "We want to dominate, nothing's changed. We want to go out there and do our jobs and bring home the `W."'

The matchup of Alabama's high-flying offense against Auburn's stingy defense lost some of its luster with the season-ending hip injury to Tide star Tua Tagovailoa.

It's still one to watch. The Tide and LSU are both averaging a league-best 48.5 points per game. Auburn and Alabama share the third spot in scoring defense, giving up 16.2 points per game. LSU scored just 23 against Auburn.

"I think it's going to be a real good offense vs. defense game, overall," Alabama receiver/return man Jaylen Waddle said. "Their defense is really, really good."

The Tigers' offense has been far less consistent - and the Tide defense has been more vulnerable than usual, too.

Some other things to know about Saturday's Alabama-Auburn showdown:

AUBURN'S SEASON

Auburn had risen as high as No. 7 in the rankings at midseason but wasn't able to get over the hump against three of the four Top 10 opponents. A win over Alabama would have a big effect on perception of the Tigers' season.

"Just playing against Bama and beating them, that's history," Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson said. "You're in the history books for life."

YOUNG QUARTERBACKS

Auburn freshman Bo Nix didn't expect to be the most experienced quarterback in the Iron Bowl. But Alabama's Mac Jones has only made two starts, both at home against overmatched opponents.

Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown still expects a dangerous offense.

"They've shown no (signs) of slowing down," Brown said. "It's a powerful offense. He's in there and he gets the ball out. High-powered wide receivers that make a lot of plays, and they make plays after the catch. That's something that we've got to be able to limit."

MISSING SHERWOOD

Auburn's matchup with the Tide's dangerous receivers gets even more challenging in the first half. Defensive back Jamien Sherwood will have to sit the half out because of a targeting foul in the Samford game. Sherwood is a backup safety but has 40 tackles and five pass breakups.

TOP COMPETITION

If Auburn has an edge, it might just be in the quality of competition. LSU is the only other currently ranked team Alabama will have faced. The Tigers have faced LSU, No. 4 Georgia, No. 8 Florida and No. 14 Oregon. They beat the Ducks and had chances in the fourth quarters of the other games. All four opponents were in the Top 10 at the time.

"This will be our fifth Top 10 opponent, so the good thing is it won't be a shock to our system," Malzahn said. "And really hoping that will be an advantage for us."

PUNT RETURNERS

Don't leave your seat during punts. Alabama's Jaylen Waddle is the nation's top punt returner and Auburn's Christian Tutt ranks fourth. Waddle especially has been explosive, with a 77-yard return for a score and a 24.9-yard average.

"He's dynamic," Malzahn said. "He's changed games. He's changed field position. You turn on the film and it's explosive play after explosive play. We're going to have to do a super job dealing with him."

Tutt is fourth nationally with a 13.8-yard average per return.

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More AP college football: http://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25

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