How Nick Saban, Alabama Can Use Auburn To Prep for Florida

In one sense, Auburn is ruining the Iron Bowl for Alabama.  No they won't beat the Tide, but they won't give them as satisfying a win as beating a team that is in the middle of a good season. 

Darn!  That's just like Auburn.  Now that Alabama is hitting on all cylinders, Auburn is hardly a worthy opponent and the Tide really has nothing to gain from this win except ending the streak Auburn's been so proud of and finishing the regular season undefeated.

The Tide is expected to win and they will.  They will just have to console themselves with the fact that they are the reason that Auburn won't go to a bowl game and may be the reason Tuberville gets fired. 

So I guess there is that to play for.

What will be good for the Tide however is that they will get some much needed practice in preparation for Florida one week later.  Not that Florida could be compared to Auburn, but containing Auburn's running QB Kodi Burns will be great practice for attempting to do the same to Florida's Tebow another fleet footed QB that likes to run also.

Should Alabama contain Burns and hold down his yardage, it may make Florida rethink parts of their game plan.  Should Burns break lose, I'm sure Tebow and Myers will be watching with mouths watering.

Auburn's defense is much like Florida's.  They play tough and will give the Tide a good test.  So rather than work against the Scout Team, Alabama will be able to work out against a first rate defense while preparing for Florida.

So anything new Saban wanted to try out, having Auburn to work it out against could be a real extra.  Perhaps Saban may want to see if Upchurch is up to full speed, or Wilson could work on some routes with little used receivers, the possibilities are all there.

So this practice game should allow the tide to practice a few things and play a few reserves while really preparing for Florida. Yes it appears I'm taking the game lightly.  So should everyone but the players. Auburn really is that bad, at least on offense.  Yes I realize that if Auburn should pull off the upset, I'd never hear the end of it.

Now Nick Saban says he takes this game VERY seriously and you won't find a player in Crimson that would say anything any different.  But the fans know this game is in the bag and Bama is really just going through the motions until the SEC championship game.

The only question is how much Nick Saban wants to show Urban Meyer and staff.  Will they practice anything new against Auburn or save until championship day?