Alabama vs. Auburn

                                                                                         

Crimson Tide -14 1/2 vs. Tigers

The Alabama Crimson Tide have their eyes set on greater things than this week's game with rival Auburn. But they also know that looking ahead has rarely been good for any team and will concentrate on getting one step closer to that BCS championship game.

If the number one ranked Crimson Tide (11-0, 7-0) can get past the Tigers, they will head into the SEC championship game undefeated. Alabama knows they are going to the game no matter what happens in the annual Iron Bowl battle with their state rivals, but will probably not be looking forward to a BSC game if they lose.

Unless Auburn (5-6, 2-5) can pull off a stunning upset, the Tigers will be sitting at home for bowl season and a loss to Alabama would cap a very disappointing season for Auburn. A win over the top ranked Alabama will certainly put the Tigers on the map for a bowl game and at 6-6 would be eligible for one. Auburn had better improve on their last showing at home against Georgia when they lost their sixth game of the year 17-13.

The 96th-ranked Tiger offense has been anchored by Kodi Burns. The sophomore passed for 179 yards and a touchdown and ran for an ineffective 28 yards on 14 carries against the Bulldogs. Ben Tate had similar dismal statistics from out of the backfield with 37 yards on 14 carries with no scores.

Alabama's high powered offense continues to turn out points and uses a solid defense to win on both sides of the ball. Two weeks ago, the Crimson Tide beat Mississippi State 32-7. John Parker Wilson actually had a fairly pedestrian game for him. The senior threw for 148 yards with no touchdowns, however he scored once on the ground. Glen Coffee also had an uncharacteristically off game by his standards. Coffee gained only 71 yards on 17 carries with no scores.

When the offense has been slacking this season, the defense has picked it up. Alabama held Mississippi State to only seven points and have only allowed 9.3 points per game over the past four Tide victories.

Alabama holds a slight edge in the long-time series 38-33-1. No one should count out the Tigers, however. Quietly Auburn has strung together six straight victories in the series, the longest of either squad in the history of the series. Alabama has not won since 2001 in Auburn and last beat the Tigers in Tuscaloosa in 1998.

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