Alabama vs. Auburn Tigers: Kickoff Time, Weather, Where To Watch And More
By Tony Breland
No. 15 Auburn Tigers (8-3) vs. No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1)
Date: November 29, 2014
Time: 6:45 PM CDT
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Local Weather at Kickoff: Clear and 50 degrees with humidity at 10%.
Stadium Capacity: 101,821
Television Information: ESPN
Radio Info: Crimson Tide Sports Network. Eli Gold as Play-by-Play announcer, Phil Savage as color analyst, and Chris Stewart as sideline reporter.
Vegas Odds: (via Bovada) Alabama (-9)
Game Notes
Last meeting between these two teams: 2013 (Auburn won 34-28). Alabama leads series 42-35-1, and has won four of the last six meetings. Alabama’s longest win streak in the series is nine, from 1973-1981. The largest margin of victory in the series is 55-0 by the Crimson Tide in 1948.
Week Three Recap
The Crimson Tide
Alabama got off to a slow start against Western Carolina before rolling over the Catamounts by a final of 48-14. Quarterback Blake Sims was 17 of 25 for 222 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception before being relieved by backup Jacob Coker. The Tide set a school record with 36 first downs along the way.
The Tide’s main job was to emerge unscathed on the injury front, and in that regard was unsuccessful. A half-dozen players were hurt at some point in the game, including wide receiver Amari Cooper, who left the game after one series with a bruised knee.
Despite the problems, Alabama was able to put away an inferior opponent early and rest its starters in preparation for another Iron Bowl with everything on the line.
The Auburn Tigers
Auburn’s hopes for a spot in the first College Football Playoff were dashed by back-to-back losses. A huge upset by Texas A&M was followed by a blowout loss to Georgia. At this point, all Auburn really has to play for is the chance to spoil Alabama’s shot at a championship, but that will be more than enough motivation.
The Tigers will miss two key players on their defensive line in DaVonte Lambert and Jeff Whitaker, but the rest of the Auburn starters are expected to play.
Key Injuries
Alabama
Ronnie Clark, Kenyan Drake and Kurt Frietag are out. ArDarius Stewart and Brian Vogler are doubtful. Denzell Devall, Malcolm Faciane, Reuben Foster, Adam Griffith, Anthony Orr and A’Shawn Robinson are questionable. Amari Cooper, Robert Foster, Jalston Fowler, Cam Robinson, DeAndrew White and TJ Yeldon are probable.
Auburn
Gage Batton, Jordan Diamond, Alex Kozan, Carl Lawson and Patrick Young are out. DaVonte Lambert is doutbful. Jeffrey Whitaker is questionable.
Conclusion
Once again, the Iron Bowl has championship implications. If Alabama wins, it’s on to Atlanta for the SEC Championship and a shot at the playoff. Auburn is in the role of spoiler, a role they relish. The Tigers will face a hostile Tuscaloosa crowd, but feature a quick-strike offense that can take the crowd out of the game quickly.
Alabama must dominate the line of scrimmage and avoid mental mistakes to keep Auburn behind the eight ball. If the Crimson Tide can jump on Auburn early, there is a chance they will fold as they did against Georgia. If, however, Alabama allows the Tigers to hang around into the fourth quarter, it will give them the hope they need to seize the momentum and attempt another upset.
Be sure to check back with Bama Hammer and The Houndztooth for all of your game day coverage.