Iron Bowl 2011: Alabama vs. Auburn Won't Top Better Week 13 Rivalry Games

There's no denying that the Iron Bowl is one of the greatest rivalries in college football, but the 2011 edition will fail in comparison to last year, as well as all the other great rivalries this weekend. 

There is a lot riding on this game, however, the same could be said for a number of other Week 13 rivalries.

Saturday's contest won't be much of a game, whereas other rivalry games will be extremely intense and excite the college football world much more. 

The Crimson Tide's defense will lock down the Tigers for all four quarters, preventing any sort of comeback this time around.

Yes, both teams will be motivated to compete well because it's such a heated rivalry, but when one team is far superior than the other, it doesn't make for that spectacular of a game. 

The hate these two teams and fans bases have for one another runs very deep, and words don't do it justice. A state will be divided on Saturday, but the nation as a whole will care less because of how the game will be played. 

Week 13 features a bevy of rivalry games, and there is no doubt that a number of them will come down to the wire.

Michigan vs. Ohio State, Clemson vs. South Carolina, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech and even Virginia vs. Virginia Tech will all be more entertaining than the 2011 Iron Bowl.   

Fans will be on the edge of their seat all weekend long, watching last second wins, late game collapses and failed comeback attempts. 

None of that will occur in the 2011 Iron Bowl. 

The Tigers' offense has had their ups and downs all season long, but they will struggle to move the ball against the nation's top defense. 

To give you an idea of how good the Crimson Tide's defense has been this season, Charles Bloom, who is a PR rep for the Southeastern Conference, tweeted the latest on Alabama's outstanding defense. 

Auburn won't have much success on the ground or through the air this Saturday. Alabama knows how important this game is, and the Crimson Tide aren't going to be denied a shot at the title.

They remember how painful last year was, which inspires them to be that much better this year. The phrase, 'no lead is safe,' will not apply this year thanks to the Crimson Tide's stout defense. 

The Tigers may have home field advantage, but it will do them no good come Saturday. Michael Dyer is what makes their offense go, but he hasn't been a hit this year against top run defenses. 

When facing a top five run defense, the sophomore running back has been held to 60 or fewer yards.

Since he's about to go up against the best of the best at stopping the run, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he doesn't even get over 50.

While the passion for this game is higher than most other rivalries, the outcome won't be as great as other Week 13 rivalries because Alabama's defense will reign supreme over a mediocre Auburn offense.