Iron Bowl 2015: Alabama vs. Auburn Complete Game Preview

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Even though Thanksgiving is Thursday, University of Alabama senior linebacker Reggie Ragland won’t be talking to his brother if he can help it this week. They can catch up some other time.

“Sadly, my brother’s an Auburn fan, but I’m trying to convert him,” Ragland said. “All these years, he just won’t go.

“I try to stay away from him [this week] because he loves to talk trash and all that. Knowing him, he’ll probably call me in the next couple days talking about Auburn or something like that. But I’ll tell him, ‘You’ve got to roll with ’Bama.’”

Ragland hails from Madison, Alabama, and even though it's easy to say that the rivalry game means more to those from the state, it doesn't take the others long to figure it out. For example, the Crimson Tide's offensive line has starters from Louisiana, Iowa, Ohio and California, but they all know that it's not another game.

“It’s always been a big dream of mine,” said senior quarterback Jake Coker, who grew up in Mobile. “Playing in this game means a lot to me.”

“It means a lot to everybody,” senior center and Ohioan Ryan Kelly said.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 80th Iron Bowl. (The Crimson Tide have a 43-35-1 edge in the series):

Date: Saturday, November 28

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

Place: Jordan-Hare Stadium

TV: CBS

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, Auburn IMG Sports Network, Westwood One, Sirius 119, XM 190. 

Spread: Alabama minus-13, according to OddsShark.com.

Alabama Keys to Victory

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

For the season freshman Calvin Ridley 61 receptions for 701 yards and five touchdowns.

Continue success away from home

Most of Alabama’s big wins have been away from Bryant-Denny Stadium, which is a little unusual, but Nick Saban said earlier this season that might have to do with fewer distractions.

They include: 

• Sept. 5, vs. No. 20 Wisconsin, 35-17
• Oct. 3, at No. 8 Georgia, 38-10
• Oct. 17, at No. 9 Texas A&M, 41-23
• Nov. 14, at No. 17 Mississippi State, 31-6

Alabama didn’t trail in any of those games, and junior running back Derrick Henry averaged 183.75 yards.

“I think a lot of guys know going into away games that obviously executing, you silence crowds—take the noise factor out of it,” Kelly said. “A lot of guys, they look at all the games we’ve played on the road, we’ve really started fast. That’s the biggest key for us is to keep going fast, just keep pressing them.”

Be balanced on offense

Alabama obviously wants to run the ball, but it often uses the pass to set it up. Freshman Calvin Ridley has quietly moved up the SEC’s receiving leaderboard—he’s second in receptions (6.6 average) and fourth in yards (79.3) versus conference opponents. 

"I think we've kind of gotten a feel for just the timing and how to run certain routes versus certain looks, and everybody's just gotten more comfortable with where we're gonna be,” Coker said. “I've gotten a feel for how they're gonna run a route versus certain looks and just being able to put the ball where it needs to be has gotten a lot easier."

Henry is first on the rushing list, again in SEC games only, averaging 166.1 yards, almost 30 ahead of LSU's Leonard Fournette (136.4). Last year, when Alabama played defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s team at Florida, Henry had 111 rushing yards on 20 carries, but the Crimson Tide passed for 449 yards.

“They do a lot of different stunts, line up in different fronts, do a lot of movement, try to create negative plays,” Kelly said. “That’s how the defense gets off the field, trying to get you in 2nd-and-long, 3rd-and-long. So I know that’s going to be a huge point for us, just trying to move the chains, first and second down so we’re not put in a bad situation on third down.”

Make Auburn's offense one-dimensional

Although most people associate spread, uptempo offenses with passing, Auburn is third in the SEC in rushing with 2,210 yards, which is more than Alabama’s 2,188. However, it’s 12th in passing, ahead of only Missouri and Vanderbilt.

Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones probably shouldn’t have called Auburn’s receivers “average,” but he also wasn’t wrong. After Ricardo Louis, who has 44 catches for 675 yards and three touchdowns, no one is averaging more than 20.3 receiving yards per game.

"They tried to spread us out and tried to run the ball with their quarterback some,” Ragland said about last year’s game. “We gotta stop them. When Jeremy [Johnson] comes in to do some situations, with him throwing the ball and then some situations where he’s got to run the ball, we gotta do our job of [pressuring] him and make them feel it."

Auburn Keys to Victory

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Auburn attacked Eddie Jackson last season, but he's since moved from cornerback to safety.

Force the tempo 

Having already secured a bowl spot, Auburn really has nothing to lose, so this becomes an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink game when it comes to the play-calling.

However, that’s contingent on how well the offensive line fares. Center Austin Golson is dealing with a knee injury that forced him out of the 20-13 loss to Georgia two weeks ago, and “banged up” left tackle Shon Coleman didn’t play against Idaho last Saturday.

Coleman is expected to play against Alabama, and Golson hasn’t been ruled out. Devonte Danzey would replace him, but either way, the situation could be disruptive.

“Our offensive line I feel like overall has done a solid job,” Gus Malzahn said. “The challenge now is having a new center, some changes in positions and all that. But my experience with this game is everyone be ready to play. Both sides give their maximum effort, and both sides get at each other pretty good. We’ll see what happens.”

Third-down magic

Last year’s game turned into a shootout, as quarterback Nick Marshall completed 27 of 43 passes for a school record 456 yards, including 206 to Sammie Coates and 121 to D'haquille Williams…and lost.

The 99 total points and 1,169 combined yards of offense were both Iron Bowl records, and the 44 points for Auburn were the most points Alabama has ever allowed in a win.

Where Alabama stopped Auburn was in the red zone, where it averaged 2.0 yards per play inside the 20 compared to 9.5 everywhere else on the field. On eight possessions, it yielded just five field goals and just one touchdown until the last-second score.

It especially struggled on third down. Aided by breakdowns, the Tigers converted nine of 19 chances—many throwing at Eddie Jackson, who has since moved from cornerback to strong safety. 

Get a non-offensive touchdown

Everyone knows that Alabama’s only loss this season came in a game it had five turnovers, but it’s had no more than two in any game since then, and just one opponent had an edge in turnover ratio, Arkansas (two to one).

Two years ago, the Tigers got the Kick-Six to win, 34-28. Four years ago, it got a fumble recovery in the end zone and Onterio McCalebb’s 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but it still lost, 42-14.

Alabama has scored eight non-offensive touchdowns this season. Auburn has scored two but has a history of getting them in this game.

Alabama Players to Watch

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Rashaan Evans and Alabama's pass-rushers have the Crimson Tide leading the SEC in sacks.

Linebackers Reuben Foster/Rashaan Evans 

The standout linebackers both went to Auburn High School, and their Crimson Tide teammates have been razzing them all week. It’s nothing compared to what they’ll hear at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but don’t be surprised if they make some big plays on Saturday.

“Reuben’s played awesome,” Ragland said. “He’s came a long way from the first game to now. I know guys can’t really run from me because when they run from me they’re running into him, and he’s worse than I am when you get hit by him.

“He’s talking more. He’s running around the field. Everything’s starting to click. He doesn’t worry about the call as much. He just lines up and plays. And anytime he lines up and plays like that, he’s done a great job.”

Right tackle Dominick Jackson

Auburn likes to moves its defensive lineman around, but it only makes sense that we’ll often see Carl Lawson opposite Dominick Jackson.

Alabama’s senior right tackle suffered a high ankle sprain on the last offensive play against Tennessee, requiring surgery. He played against LSU and Mississippi State but was held against Charleston Southern last week. 

After the game, Saban said that Jackson had “struggled to be able to practice as much as we thought he needed to,” so he shut him down in hopes the time off would help him bounce back. Converted defensive lineman Korren Kirven started in his place.

The backup running backs

Senior Kenyan Drake is back practicing after having surgery to repair a fractured arm roughly 10 days ago, but his status for Auburn has yet to be determined. Both Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough had 10 carries against Charleston Southern, and while Harris knows the offense better, Scarbrough has a better burst.

Harris had 44 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Scarbrough had 69 yards and a trip to the end zone.

“They both ran hard,” Henry said. “They prepared right the whole week, so I was excited to see them get out there and have fun. They practice really hard, so it didn’t surprise me to see them go out there and do what they do.”

Auburn Players to Watch

Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 21, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Ricardo Louis (5) during the third quarter against the Idaho Vandals at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 56-34. Mandatory Credit: Shanna L

Quarterbacks Jeremy Johnson and Sean White

Not surprisingly, Malzahn hasn’t announced a starter. Alabama is expecting to see both, but especially Johnson.

“We have two guys that we feel good about and both have experience,” Malzahn said. “Both have won games on the road in our league, so really I’m looking at it as more of a positive at this point of the season.”

Johnson has started the last three games, completing 40 of 58 passes for 256 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. In contrast, he started the first three games of the season and was 53-of-72 for 473 yards and five touchdowns, but six interceptions helped lead to his benching.

“I know for us it doesn’t really matter who they put behind center,” Jones said. “We know what kind of play-caller Gus Malzahn is, he’s aggressive. He likes to put his offense in position to make big plays. They have a lot of athletes at receiver and at running back. So we just have to play sound regardless of who they put behind center.”

Defensive lineman Carl Lawson

Malzahn primarily credits Auburn’s improved defensive play in November due to the return of defensive lineman Carl Lawson.

“Since Carl’s come back, you’ve seen we’ve started to look like a good defense,” Malzahn said. “He’s our defensive leader, he’s an impact player and his presence I think everyone can see it.”

Lawson missed six games after suffering a hip injury in the season opener against Louisville. Auburn gave up only 10 points to Texas A&M on Nov. 7 and 20 to Georgia a week later.

“Carl’s going to make plays,” Henry said. “He’s their big playmaker on defense and does a great job, very fast, very quick, very physical so we’ve got to make sure we prepare right to get ready for him.”

Running backs Peyton Barber/Jovon Robinson

Auburn’s running back tandem is sort of like Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, with Robinson the big grinder and Barber more of a speed option.

“He’s come along late in the year,” Alabama junior linebacker Ryan Anderson said about Robinson. “He’s fresh, fresher legs, and you can tell. He’s hurt a lot of people.”

The junior college transfer had 159 rushing yards against Texas A&M and has averaged 110.5 yards over the last four games, while Barber leads the Tigers in rushing with 947 yards on 218 carries and 13 touchdowns.

“He's quick, explosive, can run with power, has make-you-miss ability,” Saban said about Robinson. “He's done all those things effectively. He can run inside and he can bounce the ball outside. Both of their guys to me do a really good job of what they ask them to do. He's played better and better as the season's gone on.”

What They’re Saying

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

There's seldom a dull moment when these two coaches meet on a field.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban on facing Auburn

“I don't think I have to tell anybody anything they don't already know about this game. The Iron Bowl is one of the great rivalries in college football. It means a lot to a lot of people in this state as well as all over the country. It's certainly an opportunity you appreciate as a competitor.

“Our team has created an opportunity for themselves. I think it's all about staying focused on what you need to do to play your best football on the road. Not let the outside noise sort of affect your ability to do what you need to do to play well against a very, very good team.

“Auburn's probably playing the best they've played all year. They've gotten better and better, which I think is a tribute to Gus and his staff and the good job that they do with the players that they have. They're running the ball effectively on offense. The quarterbacks are playing a little bit better.

"They've got two running backs that have been very effective for them, and they have shown some big-play ability with their receivers, mostly Ricardo Louis, who is their leading receiver and definitely has made some big plays this year.

“Defensively, I think they've gotten better and better and better. Their front's playing better. They've created a lot of turnovers and negative plays for people and they've got some good players that can play on the line of scrimmage up front.

“This is going to be a challenge for us. They do a really good job in the red zone because they can run the football effectively, which is usually the case. All the way around, this is a very, very good team.”

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn on facing Alabama

“Defensively, they’re the best in our conference statistically. Their D-line is very deep, very talented, I believe the most talented in the country. The rush defense really stands out to me. They do a great job with the run fits, they do a great job of disrupting things up front.

“Offensively they’re very productive also. They have one of the best running backs in the country, a big, fast guy who’s tough to tackle one-on-one. I think their quarterback’s done a very good job of running their offense, protecting the football, managing their offense. Their special teams are extremely talented.”

“So overall, we’re paying what I believe to be the most talented team in the country. We’re going to have to play well to win.”

Prediction

Butch Dill/Associated Press

They say you can thrown out the team records when Alabama and Auburn play, and in this case they would be right.

“This game is different than most games, it’s really hard to predict,” Malzahn said. “Obviously you have to have explosive plays on offense against their defense because they’re so talented.”

Since Saban arrived at Alabama in 2007, most of the games have either been the Crimson Tide winning big or the Tigers squeezing it out. 

• 2007 at Auburn, Auburn, 17–10
• 2008 at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 36–0
• 2009 at Auburn, Alabama, 26–21
• 2010 at Tuscaloosa, Auburn, 28–27
• 2011 at Auburn, Alabama, 42–14
• 2012 at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 49–0
• 2013 at Auburn, Auburn, 34–28
• 2014 at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 55–44

This looks more like the former, rather than the latter. Alabama has outscored its last three opponents, two of which were ranked, 117-28, while Auburn is 2-5 in SEC play.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Auburn 17

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh