Has Hugh Freeze been lying in wait preparing to pounce on the Alabama Crimson Tide?

Going back to his Ole Miss tenure, Hugh Freeze has been one of the coaches I least respect. Take that 'least respect' as an attempt from an Alabama Crimson Tide fan to be generous in discussing an opposing coach.

I will admit The Reverend can be credited for bold treachery. So an image of Freeze lying in weeds spying on Alabama Football and waiting to attack feels appropriate. No doubt Freeze has been scheming for Alabama since last November. In January his early schemes had to be discarded due to Nick Saban's retirement. Ample time remained to scheme for Kane Wommack's defense and possibly advise on the best ways to slow the Crimson Tide offense. Not that Auburn Defensive Coordinator, D.J. Durkin should need much help. South Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma have shown how to stuff the Alabama rushing attack. So far, stuffing the Alabama rushing attack, especially the Jalen Milroe portion, limits the entire Crimson Tide offense.

Durkin has a checkered coaching history, but his Auburn defense has been better in run defense than the Crimson Tide. Auburn's defensive front does not match Oklahoma, but the Tigers are not far behind. The Tigers' pass defense is about middle of the SEC pack.

Freeze has paid the price for not adding a QB through the Portal. The Tigers could have afforded one better than any on their roster. But Freeze passed and has spent most of the season pointing fingers of blame at his players. He has thrown Payton Thorne under the bus so many times, it is amazing the young man can still walk.

Alabama Crimson Tide and Zero Momentum

To Hugh's credit, the Tigers have momentum. They should be sky-high with optimism on Saturday afternoon. The Alabama Crimson Tide has zero momentum and Alabama is essentially playing for pride. Alabama fans may say, 'But it's the Iron Bowl'. Alabama players from around the nation understand the rivalry is huge, but can't share the same motivation of in-state players and fans. Playing for pride; and for each other should be enough for an Alabama team in need of a bounce-back performance.

No doubt Alabama is vulnerable. Freeze, who has long fancied himself as an offensive Guru, might find some magic inside Bryant-Denny. How sweet it would be if Kane Wommack's defense seizes the day against the turnover-prone Tigers.

Given the status of both teams just a week ago, Saturday's game has an amazing oddity. Hugh Freeze badly needs a win, but Kalen DeBoer needs one even more.