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Mark Heim | mheim@al.com
Nick Saban's Alabama defense is holding opponents to just 87.4 yards a game, which leads the SEC, while Gus Malzahn's Auburn defense has held teams to 118.2 yards a contest.
The question was simple: Will Auburn's Jarrett Stidham or Alabama's Jalen Hurts have to carry more of the offensive load for their teams Saturday during the Iron Bowl?
Former Auburn quarterback Gabe Gross, who joined me and Lee Shirvanian on Tuesday on "The Opening Kickoff" on WNSP-FM 105.5, said it was the Tide's Hurts.
"From Alabama's point of view, I think if Auburn chooses, they might be able to lock Alabama's running game down pretty good," Gross said. "Maybe not to the extent like they did against Georgia. I think Jalen Hurts will have more of the offense on him, kind of like he did against Mississippi State.
"Auburn's going to have more success running the ball than Alabama when you look at the depleted linebacker corps Alabama has."
Despite the injuries, the Crimson Tide is holding opponents to just 87.4 yards a game, which leads the SEC.
Auburn's no joke, either, holding opponents to 118.2 yards a contest, which ranks third in the league.
On Monday, Terrell Lewis (elbow) and Christian Miller (biceps) were not spotted during the media viewing of practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban said earlier in the day they are in the "functional" rehabilitation phase and haven't been medically cleared.
It was reported, citing sources, that Lewis and Miller could be readyfor Saturday's game against Auburn.
Gross, the hitting coach for the Auburn baseball team, was complimentary of both Stidham and Hurts
"Jarrett Stidham has come leaps and bounds, but Chip Lindsay has come leaps and bounds on how to use Jarrett Stidham," Gross explained.
"Over the last month-plus, they have maximized his strengths and stayed away from his weaknesses."
Gross said he feels like Auburn will limit what Alabama, which rushes for 270 yards a game, does on the ground.
"But that's what makes Alabama a little scarier," he said. "I don't think there's a better receiver in the league that Calvin Ridley. He's a special, special player. You take the run-pass abilities of Hurts and big-play ability of Ridley and you have something special."
At the end of the day, Gross likes Auburn to win the game in a close one.
Continue reading...
The question was simple: Will Auburn's Jarrett Stidham or Alabama's Jalen Hurts have to carry more of the offensive load for their teams Saturday during the Iron Bowl?
Former Auburn quarterback Gabe Gross, who joined me and Lee Shirvanian on Tuesday on "The Opening Kickoff" on WNSP-FM 105.5, said it was the Tide's Hurts.
"From Alabama's point of view, I think if Auburn chooses, they might be able to lock Alabama's running game down pretty good," Gross said. "Maybe not to the extent like they did against Georgia. I think Jalen Hurts will have more of the offense on him, kind of like he did against Mississippi State.
"Auburn's going to have more success running the ball than Alabama when you look at the depleted linebacker corps Alabama has."
Despite the injuries, the Crimson Tide is holding opponents to just 87.4 yards a game, which leads the SEC.
Auburn's no joke, either, holding opponents to 118.2 yards a contest, which ranks third in the league.
On Monday, Terrell Lewis (elbow) and Christian Miller (biceps) were not spotted during the media viewing of practice. Alabama coach Nick Saban said earlier in the day they are in the "functional" rehabilitation phase and haven't been medically cleared.
It was reported, citing sources, that Lewis and Miller could be readyfor Saturday's game against Auburn.
Gross, the hitting coach for the Auburn baseball team, was complimentary of both Stidham and Hurts
"Jarrett Stidham has come leaps and bounds, but Chip Lindsay has come leaps and bounds on how to use Jarrett Stidham," Gross explained.
"Over the last month-plus, they have maximized his strengths and stayed away from his weaknesses."
Gross said he feels like Auburn will limit what Alabama, which rushes for 270 yards a game, does on the ground.
"But that's what makes Alabama a little scarier," he said. "I don't think there's a better receiver in the league that Calvin Ridley. He's a special, special player. You take the run-pass abilities of Hurts and big-play ability of Ridley and you have something special."
At the end of the day, Gross likes Auburn to win the game in a close one.
Continue reading...
