For Alabama Football some Iron Bowl stats matter more than the score

On Tuesday night the CFP Selection Committee was clear it was looking at Alabama Football’s recent defensive performances. Saturday afternoon, in an unfriendly environment, the Crimson Tide defense needs to show the committee a strong performance.

Shutting down the Auburn passing game would be one way to make a statement. But without Bo Nix, stopping an aerial attack led by T.J. Finley may not impress enough. A better way to get the Selection committee’s attention would be to shackle the Auburn rushing attack.

The Auburn Tigers are No. 5 in the SEC and No. 22 in the FBS running the football at an average of 5.21 yards-per-rush. The Alabama Football defense is No. 2 in the SEC and No. 4 in the FBS in allowing just 2.63 yards-per-carry.

In Auburn’s last six games, all against SEC opponents, the Tigers have rushed for an average of 3.8 yards-per-rush. In the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide defense needs to hold the Tigers under a 3.25 yards average, at least, and even better would be under three yards-per-rush.

Though the Selection Committee did not seem concerned about the Alabama Crimson Tide offense, a point can also be made in the Iron Bowl by running the ball effectively against the Tigers.

In the same last six, SEC games, the Auburn Tigers defense has allowed opponents to rush for a 4.5 yards-per-rush average. The Alabama offense has been sensational through the air, but far less productive on the ground. The Tide’s rushing numbers were poor against LSU and Arkansas. Going back to the Tide’s last five SEC games, the Alabama rushing attack has produced an average of 3.6 yards-per-rush. It must be better than that in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide needs to at least match the average the Tigers have been allowing of 4.5 yards-per-rush.

Not coming close to last week’s Crimson Tide passing record of 559 yards in the Iron Bowl would be fine. That is as long as the Tide churns up rushing yards. Racking up close to five yards-per-rush would be outstanding.

Can Alabama Football produce these stats in the Iron Bowl?

The Crimson Tide offensive line will need one of its best games for the Tide to rush for close to a five-yard average on the Tigers. With the Tigers’ strong trio of running backs, the Tide defense will have to be sound, but it can be successful.

Note: Along with the NCAA stats, data from sports-reference.com was used for this post.

Alabama winning the next two games would mean the stats against Auburn will not matter. That is certainly the preferred plan.