There is little mystery about one Alabama Crimson Tide matchup in the Iron Bowl. In SEC games, the Auburn Tigers' defense ranks second in average rushing yards allowed. Auburn's stat is three yards per carry, compared to Alabama's 4.47 yards, No. 15 among SEC teams.
Alabama's rushing offense is not up to beating the Auburn defense through traditional running plays. The good news for Alabama is that the Auburn secondary is a weak link. If Ty Simpson is moderately better than recent performances, the Tide's passing offense can prosper.
Another clear 'known' about this season's Iron Bowl is that Auburn has a field-goal kicking advantage. In a close contest, Alex McPherson can give the Tigers a win. The thought of Alabama needing Conor Talty to do the same for Alabama is troubling. McPherson has made 88% of his field goal attempts this season. In his four most recent games, he is 12 for 12.
The Iron Bowl's biggest 'unknown' centers on Auburn Offensive Coordinator, Derrick Nix. Unlike under Hugh Freeze, Nix is Auburn's single play-caller. Nix has orchestrated an impressive turnaround for Auburn's offense. In two games against Vanderbilt and Mercer, Nix's offense has produced 1,110 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five field goals.
Derrick Nix is from Atalla, AL, but his college playing career and, until Hugh Freeze hired him, his entire coaching career had been in the state of Mississippi. The former Southern Mississippi running back has coached running backs and receivers at USM and Ole Miss. His first Offensive Coordinator gig was given to him by Freeze last season. Nix was required to run Hugh's offense and call most plays in a bizarre arrangement in which, on certain sets of downs, three Auburn coaches would call plays.
DJ Durkin erased that play-calling nonsense, and Auburn has suddenly blossomed. Nix explains his approach is simple: getting the ball in the hands of playmakers as often as possible. Two of those playmakers have been quarterbacks Ashton Daniels and Deuce Knight. Daniels will likely start, but Knight could be rotated in frequently. Nix may call some plays with both QBs on the field. Auburn has tremendous wide receivers, but its run game is heavily dependent on the quarterback. Pressure and containment by Kane Wommack's defense will be essential.
Will Auburn's New Offense Challenge the Alabama Crimson Tide?
Derrick Nix may provide a challenge to Kane Wommack. He is a good coach, but he is no Ryan Grubb, and that gives the Crimson Tide a clear advantage in the Iron Bowl.