Another way for Alabama football fans to consider the Iron Bowl

Saturday could be an odd Iron Bowl for Alabama football fans. None of us give the Auburn Tigers much of a chance to pull off an upset. There are many reasons for Crimson Tide optimism. Auburn is 6-5 and without its starting quarterback. A vocal and apparently growing contingent of Auburn fans are not sold on Bryan Harsin. More than a few prefer a quick Harson exit from the Plains.

The Crimson Tide not only cannot afford to lose, but it also needs to win in a convincing fashion. The CFP Selection Committee was clear on Tuesday night, with the committee chair, Gary Barta saying,

"The last few weeks (the Alabama Crimson Tide), just not showing as much domination on defense."

Alabama fans, for one of the few times this season, feel good about the Crimson Tide ‘D’ against the Tigers. Auburn has a solid rushing attack with multiple weapons, including the powerful and aptly named Tank Bigsby. But according to Auburn insiders, Bigsby is dissatisfied with Auburn OC, Mike Bobo and is considering a transfer.

Maybe that disconnect will be cast aside long enough for the Iron Bowl. Even if Tank is a less than fully committed participant, Auburn has other good running backs. Given new Auburn starting QB, T.J. Finley is completing just 52.3% of his passes this season, the Tide’s defensive gameplan appears to be clear. Load up the box to stuff the Auburn run game and force Finley to win the game with his arm.

The Alabama Football Defensive Gameplan will be correct

Admittedly, it is perhaps not that simple. The Crimson Tide secondary has too often given up big plays this season. Alabama football fans can be confident the Saban/Golding game plan will be the right one.

One thing Crimson Tide and Auburn fans might want to rethink is how much of a bust Harsin has been. His lack of recruiting success is stunning. But as far as game plans, it can be said Auburn has done okay relative to its roster. They have lost five games, but the Tigers played Penn State close on the road. The Mississippi State game was a debacle and Harsin must shoulder the blame. The most recent loss was on the road to a surprisingly improved South Carolina team.

The winning side of the Auburn ledger is respectable. The Tigers have wins over LSU, Ole Miss and Arkansas. The last two are currently ranked teams. The subtext to the game is, for all the anti-Harsin frenzy in Auburn, Harsin has done pretty well.

Auburn fans should step back and realize the problems this season did not begin with Harsin. They go back to holding on to Gus Malzahn too long, as the program decayed. So far, there is no indication Harson can build it back, but he did not create the current mess that is Auburn football.

Don’t miss the poignant piece linked above, written in tribute to the recently passed, Cecil Hurt. It is hard to imagine not having his words on the Iron Bowl and much more.