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Mark Heim | mheim@al.com
Former Tigers coach stands by statement in August when he proclaimed Gus Malzahn's squad "is the most talented football team I've seen at Auburn."
Saturday's game has the makings of a classic.
When No. 1 Alabama travels to No. 6 Auburn for a 2:30 kick, the SEC West Division title, berth to the conference title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff's Final Four will be at stake.
Former Alabama coach Gene Stallings and former Auburn coach Pat Dye each joined me and Lee Shirvanian on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 to discuss the latest edition of the Iron Bowl.
Both agree it will be a competitive game. Both agree Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts is the key.
"Alabama's got the best football team," Stallings said on Wednesday. (Dye) sorts thinks so, too, but I don't think he'll admit it."
"He's right," Dye quipped on Friday morning.
Dye, however, pointed out he still feels the same as he did in August when he said this Auburn team "is the most talented football team I've seen at Auburn."
"I don't feel any different today," Dye explained. "The line of scrimmage on offense and the line of scrimmage on defense, there is ability and talent there. I don't think we've played our best.
"I think Alabama is the best team we played this year, including Clemson. We're the best team Alabama has played this year."
Both agree the success of either team will be based on Hurts.
"I think it is important Alabama jumps out ahead quick and takes the crowd out of the game," Stallings said. "That quarterback has played extremely well. He's made big plays in big games. As long as they have him, they're always in the game."
"The quarterback is the straw that stirs the drink," Dye said. He makes plays when they need to make them. If we're going to have any chance at all, we've got to contain the quarterback some kind of way."
Hurts has rushed for 668 yards and eight touchdowns this year, while throwing for 1,828 and 14 more touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham has accounted for 19 touchdowns. He scored three on the ground, while amassing 2,445 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air.
Continue reading...
Saturday's game has the makings of a classic.
When No. 1 Alabama travels to No. 6 Auburn for a 2:30 kick, the SEC West Division title, berth to the conference title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff's Final Four will be at stake.
Former Alabama coach Gene Stallings and former Auburn coach Pat Dye each joined me and Lee Shirvanian on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 to discuss the latest edition of the Iron Bowl.
Both agree it will be a competitive game. Both agree Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts is the key.
"Alabama's got the best football team," Stallings said on Wednesday. (Dye) sorts thinks so, too, but I don't think he'll admit it."
"He's right," Dye quipped on Friday morning.
Dye, however, pointed out he still feels the same as he did in August when he said this Auburn team "is the most talented football team I've seen at Auburn."
"I don't feel any different today," Dye explained. "The line of scrimmage on offense and the line of scrimmage on defense, there is ability and talent there. I don't think we've played our best.
"I think Alabama is the best team we played this year, including Clemson. We're the best team Alabama has played this year."
Both agree the success of either team will be based on Hurts.
"I think it is important Alabama jumps out ahead quick and takes the crowd out of the game," Stallings said. "That quarterback has played extremely well. He's made big plays in big games. As long as they have him, they're always in the game."
"The quarterback is the straw that stirs the drink," Dye said. He makes plays when they need to make them. If we're going to have any chance at all, we've got to contain the quarterback some kind of way."
Hurts has rushed for 668 yards and eight touchdowns this year, while throwing for 1,828 and 14 more touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham has accounted for 19 touchdowns. He scored three on the ground, while amassing 2,445 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air.
Continue reading...
