2011 Iron Bowl Predictions: Why the Crimson Tide Will Annihilate Auburn

Last year Auburn came in to Bryant-Denny Stadium looking to keep its National Title hopes alive.

The ninth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide were looking to avoid passing their championship crown on to their bitter rival. Alabama jumped out to a 24-0 lead.

A collapse rivaling that of the 1972 Iron Bowl followed.

Auburn walked away 28-27 victors and went on to win the National Championship. Alabama has since been fueled by that game. Two words remind the Crimson Tide of that game every day: never again.

Barring some unforeseen chaos in Baton Rouge the day before or Atlanta a week after, Alabama will enter this year's Iron Bowl one win away from a national championship rematch with the LSU Tigers. For the fourth consecutive year, an Iron Bowl participant is ranked in the Top Two in the country.

The top two team has won each of the previous three.

Alabama has everything to lose in this game. Auburn has nothing to lose in this game. Alabama has dominated every opponent they have faced except for the No. 1 ranked Louisiana State Tigers, whom they played to a 6-6 tie in regulation and lost to 9-6 in overtime.

Auburn has exceeded the expectations of many. The Tigers have managed to win seven of their eleven games and carry a ranking of 24th in the BCS standings. Auburn has faced five teams ranked in the Top 17 in the country. They have a very impressive road win over 12th ranked South Carolina, before Carolina lost their star running back Marcus Lattimore to a season-ending injury.

Auburn's other matchups with Top 25 teams have not been as successful. The Tigers have lost four games by no less than 14 points and by an average of 28 points per game. The margin of defeat has increased in every game against a ranked foe.

Alabama enters this game with what may be the greatest defense college football has ever seen—unless the opponent runs the triple option.

Auburn does not run the triple option, however, and the Tigers horrific offense will struggle to avoid reaching negative total yardage in this game.

That previous statement may be slightly over exaggerated, but not by that much.

Alabama ranks first in college football in every major defensive statistical category. Auburn ranked 93rd in the country in total offense, and 78th in scoring offense.

Can you see the huge mismatch here?

Now I'll examine the other side of the coin: Auburn's defense against Alabama's offense. Auburn is 81st in total defense and 72nd in scoring defense. Alabama is 32nd in total offense and 20th in scoring offense.

Doesn't get much better for Auburn, does it?

Auburn's run defense ranks 98th of the 120 FBS teams. Alabama ranks 16th in rushing offense. Trent Richardson will run roughshod among Auburn's putrid excuse for an SEC defense.

Ted Roof has to be one of the absolute worst defensive coordinators to coach in the SEC. Maybe after Alabama puts over 500 yards on Auburn—as did the Georgia Bulldogs in Auburn's last contest against a valid opponent—they will wise up and can Roof.

Nick Saban may be struggling as of late in big games, but he still does a great job motivating his team. Alabama's players are dying for revenge after last year's collapse, and they know a win in this game will put them in New Orleans where they will get a championship rematch with the LSU Tigers.

Alabama has no lack of motivation, and their talent advantage is almost hard to comprehend when you consider these are the last two national champions.

You can expect AJ McCarron to have a solid day managing Alabama's offense, while Trent Richardson puts up close to 200 yards in a desperation bid to claim the Heisman Trophy. The gap between Alabama and Auburn wasn't much last year, so little you might not have noticed it was there.

This year the gap is so large you can forget you are looking at a gap.

Prediction: No. 2 Alabama 42, No. 24 Auburn 13