Iron Bowl Comedy in Store: Chizik Doesn't Have a Clue, Malzahn's out of Tricks

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) History shows us that in the Iron Bowl, when Auburn wins, they usually squeak out a win, and when Alabama wins, it's by a large margin. In fact, since 1990, the time Auburn fans point to as their best years against the Tide, a close look shows it's not that great.

Auburn has won 11 of those games, and for much of that time, Alabama was on scholarship reductions and probation and just managed to basically split the games.

In that span, Alabama's doubled Auburn's game score five times, while Auburn has done that only twice.

Alabama's best wins included a 17-0 shutout, a 31-17 win, a 31-7 win and a 36-0 win. Auburn's best win was a 9-0 shutout.

In fact, since Tommy Tuberville's streak of six wins ended, Alabama has outscored Auburn, 49-29.

Auburn's best years weren't really all that great, and now, Auburn is clearly on the wrong side of the scale again.

Gene Chizik said in his weekly press interview that he knows exactly what Alabama intends to do in the Iron Bowl: run the ball. The problem is, he doesn't have a clue how to stop it.

Gus Malzahn knows how tough the Alabama defense will be; the problem is, he doesn't have anymore tricks or Cam Newton's to use on them.

In my lifetime of covering football games and writing sports professionally, I've seen two teams beat Alabama by the sheer will and talent of one man on each team.

In an SEC Championship Game, I saw Tim Tebow lift the Florida Gators on his back and carry that team to a victory over Alabama, and last year, Cam Newton simply willed his Auburn Tigers to a come-from-behind one-point win.

Auburn has no Tebow or Newton this year, Gene Chizik doesn't have a clue how he's going to stop Alabama other than stack the line and pray McCarron has an off day and Gus Malzahn doesn't have a magician like Newton this year to make his smoke and mirror offense work.

For Auburn fans, as well as the Auburn team, this year's Iron Bowl will be a long, ugly day. But for Alabama fans, it will be a thing of beauty.