This years Iron Bowl is the most anticipated Iron Bowl in quite a while as both teams have plenty to play for, even though Auburn is playing for the ultimate prize and Alabama is trying to keep an outside shot at a BCS bowl. Most of the "experts" predict that Alabama would end up in the Capital One Bowl and Auburn in the Sugar Bowl, but again those are just projections.
This years game presents some interesting match-ups within the game but four are the most crucial. One is the Alabama Defensive line vs Auburn's offensive line, Auburns secondary against Alabama receiving corps, Alabama linebackers vs Cam Newton, and Kirby Smart vs Gus Malzahn.
If Alabama wants to even think about putting pressure on Cam Newton it all starts with Marcel Dareus, Josh Chapman, and Luther Davis. Those three are the biggest key and have most of this year sorta have been a let down. Alabama's weakest point going into the season was suppose to be the secondary but it has turned out to be the D-Line. On the flip side Auburn's line has done a good job in keeping Cam Newton safe all year and out of trouble. Then when Cam got into trouble and had to role out atleast one of the lineman was there to block the first guy. If Alabama is able to keep Newton in the pocket and not let him outside the pocket then it should bode well for the Crimson...EDGE- Alabama Defensive Line
Auburn's defense all year has lacked one thing and that is a solid secondary, especially did not help when Savage went out for the season. After seeing what A.J. Green did to Auburn's defense it will be hard pressed to not to expect Julio Jones have the same type of day. Especially from top to bottom Alabama has a better group of receivers overall than Georgia did and that leads to many believe that Alabama should be able to throw over 300 yards against the Auburn secondary....EDGE- Alabama Receiving
Cam Newton is the Heisman front-runner and is most likely going to win the prestigious award. Every week he always has to go against the opposing teams linebackers as most teams usually puts a spy on him. There is only one problem with that from the previous match-ups, Alabama has the linebackers that have similar size to Cam Newton. Courtney Upshaw and Donta Hightower both have the size to be able to take Newton down with one hit but speed will be the issue. That is what seperates Cam apart from most as he runs like a deer down the field and no one can stop him...EDGE- Cam Newton
Now its time for the coordinators as two of the best coordinators face off against each other in Kirby Smart and Gus Malzahn. Kirby Smart is known for having great defenses and this year is no different as the Tide is only allowing around 13 points per game. Its no surprise as Coach Nick Saban is able to use different schemes to confuse opposing teams quarterbacks, and Kirby Smart is no stranger to dial up blitzes. Gus Malzahn offenses are just as confusing as Smarts defenses. Malzahn always throws in new wrinkles and trick plays that always lead to touchdowns when you add Cam Newton into the mix you can forget about the Wildcat formation since Newton is a type of wildcat quaterback....EDGE- Gus Malzahn.
Prediction- Alabama is riding a twenty game winning streak at home and Auburn has not played in a stadium as loud as they will be in this weekend, the game should be close the entire time...Alabama 34 Auburn 31
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