Alabama Football: Why Iron Bowl Won't Be a Contest Once Again

The Iron Bowl is usually a brutally tough contest, but Alabama's blowout 42-14 win last year broke that tradition.

The Tide will likely repeat that outcome in 2012—closing out their regular season with an Iron Bowl victory on their way to the SEC Championship Game. 

The score may not be as lopsided as it was last year, but here is why the Tide will steamroll Auburn in their annual showdown. 

A Reloading Bama Team Is Better Than a Veteran Auburn Team

The last time Alabama was reloading the Auburn Tigers had Cam Newton.

As the national champions, the Tigers barely squeaked by in a 28-27 win against a team that eventually went 10-3 in 2010. 

Alabama will not be replacing as much talent as itthey had to in 2010. There will also more veteran players who have seen plenty of playing time from the bench. 

Auburn returns the majority of its starters, but those starters don't include Cam Newton and Nick Fairley. 

Auburn Receivers Will Be Shut Down

Auburn is going to rely heavily on three players in the passing game next year. 

Wideout Emory Blake is a true receiving threat, but Alabama's DeMarcus Milliner will be all over him. He won't fall flat with zero catches like he did in 2011, but he won't be much more productive. 

Now that the Tigers have fullback Jay Prosch cleared to play, tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen will be free to roam around the field as a receiver. Lutzie poses a serious threat through the air, and only linebackers have a legitimate chance to both cover and tackle him. 

Too bad for him, because Alabama has one of the best coverage linebackers in the nation in C.J. Mosley. Mosley will be on the field a lot more in 2012 than he was the past two seasons, including his true freshman year. 

Tigers running back Onterio McCalebb will be used heavily in the passing game, but a lot of that will be with screen passes.

Screen passes just don't work against defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and the Tide. 

Alabama's Defensive Line Is Better Than Auburn's Offensive Line

Auburn returns a veteran offensive line in 2012 led by center Reese Dismukes, who is poised to have a true breakout year. 

But Alabama returns just as much talent on their three-man front. 

At 6'4", 319 lbs, Aussie Jesse Williams will anchor the line at nose tackle and his wingmen will be Damion Square and Quinton Dial. 

Square and Williams have thoroughly proven that they are more than capable of pushing around any offensive line in the nation, including LSU's outstanding line in 2011. 

Alabama's defensive line will prevent Auburn from gaining any significant yardage between the tackles, which severely limits any teams chances to beat Alabama. 

The Iron Bowl Will Be in Tuscaloosa

Bryant-Denny Stadium is arguably the toughest venue in the nation for opponents to travel to and leave victorious. 

Alabama fans get louder than ever during the Iron Bowl, and their team will likely be playing for something big in 2012. 

The rabid fans in Crimson will contribute to the victory just as much as any player on the field. 

Alabama's Youth Will Be All Grown Up by November

Alabama loses a lot of talent from the 2011 team, but the new faces will be veteran players by November.

Any business about Alabama being too young to beat the Tigers is just a silly argument, because by the time the 12th game rolls around the Tide will be a well-oiled machine. 

Alabama Is the Better Coached Team

Gene Chizik and his staff cannot compare to Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. 

The most important part of a team is the coaching, and Alabama does it better than anyone else in the nation. 

Coaching also involves recruiting as well and Alabama certainly does that better too.