Alabama vs. Auburn: The 5 Best Players on the Field

This weekend holds one of the greatest rivalries in all of college football which is the Iron Bowl. When Alabama and Auburn square off, you can throw records and previous performances out the window. These two teams hate each other with a passion, and the rivalry runs deep as it began in 1983. 

Although both of these teams are heading in the opposite directions this season, you can expect a hard-fought game with the winner having to earn it.

Here are the best five players that will be in the game, and that you can count on making an impact.

Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw

Upshaw is one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2012 NFL draft and for good reason.

He has a great combination of size and speed at 6'2", 265 pounds. He has to work on his coverage skills, but as a pass-rusher, it really doesn't get much better than this linebacker right here. 

He's a very smart and versatile player who could play many roles for some lucky NFL team.

This season, he has 40 tackles, one interception and 6.5 sacks.

Auburn RB Michael Dyer

Michael Dyer may only be a sophomore, but this kid is an absolute stud and is proving that last season was no fluke. Dyer's freshman season may have been overshadowed by Cam Newton, but he rushed for over 1,000 yards and averaged six yards per touch. 

This season, he has been the work horse for the Tigers and has once again topped 1,000 yards and has scored 10 touchdowns.

He's by far Auburn's best weapon, and if the Tigers expect to pull off a upset, he'll have a lot to do with it.

Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower

There are health risks that come with Hightower as he tore his ACL in 2009, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best defensive players in the game.

He led the Crimson Tide in tackles last year with 69 and leads the team again this year with 70.

At 6'4", 260 pounds, he's extremely fast and can make plays from sideline to sideline.

You will see this guy on Sundays, and he'll be drafted early in the first round.

Alabama DB Dre Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick will be one of the first defensive backs taken in next year's NFL draft as he has the potential to be the next great shutdown corner.

He has elite athleticism and fantastic ball skills with enough strength to win jump balls. He's a physical player that has a ton of playmaking ability.

He has all of the tools to be an all-around corner at the next level.

Alabama RB Trent Richardson

Did you really think that the best player on either team would be anybody but Richardson?

Trent Richardson is, by far, the best running back in the country and will be the first back taken in the NFL draft. He's a guaranteed top-10 pick.

He's as NFL-ready as any player could possibly be as he has a great combination of speed and power. He can power the ball up the middle and break a tackle or kick it to the outside and put a move on a defender. He's also a solid blocker and is an above-average receiver.

Richardson is as a complete back as you'll find at the college level. 

This season, he has over 1,300 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]