Alabama Football: Even without many wins, records being made in Auburn

Alabama football will face a record-breaking Auburn offensive duo in the Iron Bowl. Jarrett Stidham to Ryan Davis is the key to the Tigers offense.

Few things would make Alabama football fans happier on Saturday than shutting-out the Auburn Tigers. Crimson Tide fans remember fondly the 2008 Iron Bowl when a 36-0 beatdown of the Tigers derailed the coaching career of Tommy Tuberville. Tommy stuck no appendages into the air that night in Tuscaloosa.

Nothing would be more ‘Auburn’ than for Gus’ record-setting, dynamic offensive duo, to not reach the end zone this Saturday. We are not making that prediction. Jarrett Stidham and Ryan Davis were more than the Crimson Tide could handle in last season’s 26-14 loss.

Now the pair are Auburn record-holders. Ryan Davis became No. 1 all-time in career receptions against the Georgia Bulldogs. His 13 catches against UGA were not enough to avoid defeat, but he deserves a hat tip. The young man can play. No Crimson Tide defender, including Minkah Fitzpatrick, could slow him down last season.

Davis and Auburn QB, Jarrett Stidham passed a legendary Auburn duo against Georgia. Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley held the Auburn record for the most productive quarterback-receiver duo in Auburn history. That record now belongs to Stidham and Davis.

Younger Tide fans (and not so young) don’t know much about Sullivan and Beasley. Sullivan won a Heisman. His receiver of choice was Terry Beasley. In the 1970 Iron Bowl, Alabama football jumped out to a 17-0 lead. Auburn roared back to win thanks to Sullivan to Beasley, over and over and over, until it was 33-28. The marvelous Johnny Musso played hurt in that game and rushed for 221 yards on 42 carries. Every tackle brought a shot of pain to his body. After three-quarters, Paul Bryant drug him off the field and out of the game. Musso could barely walk.

Enough for historical digressions. So far we have discussed three past Iron Bowls and two of them were Crimson Tide losses. Saturday is almost sure to be another Crimson Tide win. But the Alabama football defense will need to have success diminishing Ryan Davis’ impact.

Auburn will be prepared for QB pressure with the Tide’s d-line too much for the Auburn offensive line. Gus and Stidham will try to get the ball out quickly to minimize protection issues. Quick hitters, particularly to Ryan Davis will be the weapon of choice. The Tide secondary will play press, with maybe a safety helping over the top if Davis breaks free. Slamming  Stidham to the turf a few times will likely make him impatient to wait for Davis to go deep. It will be a fun matchup to watch.

The link above tells a quick history of the Bryant years and the Iron Bowl. Bryant and Auburn coach, Shug Jordan were friends. That did not stop Bryant from hating the “cow college.” Nick Saban won’t say it, but we suspect he deeply relishes beating Auburn – maybe as much as the Bear did.