Four-Down Territory
1. Start strong: Alabama's offense has been known to start strong. It outscores opponents 90-32 in the first quarter and 163-43 in the second quarter. A quick start will end Auburn's hope of keeping it close. Alabama plays well in Bryant-Denny Stadium and draws on the energy of the crowd. An early lead will also put pressure on Auburn to keep up, which leads to mistakes. Alabama's defense will also be motivated for a strong outing with a lead.
2. Revenge will be a factor: Many of the Crimson Tide players said this week that last year's game has no bearing on this year's game. They were just repeating what coaches were saying to them. The last-second loss on a missed field goal returned for a touchdown devastated the Crimson Tide, losing out on a national title appearance and creating a listless showing at the Sugar Bowl. Earlier in the year players said the loss motivated them in the offseason.
3. It's a must-win game: Yes, they all are. However, at this point of the season Alabama needs to defeat Auburn to earn a berth in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 6 against the East Division winner, Missouri or Georgia. A win there and it's on to the first College Football Playoff. A loss here could drop the Crimson Tide into the Peach or Gator Bowl. And then there's the whole Iron Bowl rivalry thing to claim.
4. Stay emotionally grounded. Even though it's a must-win game with national championship ramifications in a rivalry game, the Crimson Tide must stay focused. Defenders must execute their tasks each play and not get caught up in doing someone else's job. That's how Auburn burns teams offensively. The offensive players must run the offense, move the ball and score like they usually do. They have to remind themselves that it just another football game, which they've played most of their lives.
Key Matchup
Alabama's secondary vs. Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall
Marshall makes the offense go. He runs a steady diet of read-option where he gives the ball to the running back, runs it himself or throws it. That's where the Crimson Tide secondary must be at its best. The defensive backs must play the pass first and not be fooled with play-action passes. At the same time, they must know when to support the run. "It's definitely big," cornerback Cyrus Jones said. "Just maintaining your focus, looking at the right things, not getting too caught up in the movements and things like that. Everybody on the field has stuff they're supposed to be looking at, keying on so it's definitely important we show that type of discipline of being able to look at the right things throughout the game."
Player Of The Week
Derrick Henry, RB, So., 6-3, 241
Henry was a dominant ball carrier in the first half against Western Carolina last week. Henry scored a career-high three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving. He carried the ball 12 times for a team-leading 92 yards with a 7.7-yard average per carry. His receiving TD came on a 9-yard screen. Henry is second on the team with 682 rushing yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns.
By the Numbers
1: Number of receptions for another Amari Cooper record. Cooper has 194 career receptions, tied with DJ Hall for the Alabama record.
15: Number of consecutive wins Alabama has in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The last loss for the Crimson Tide at home against Texas A&M in 2012.
17: Number of 11-win seasons in Alabama history. A Crimson Tide win over Auburn gives it an 11-win season for the 18th time in program history and the sixth under Saban.
