Alabama vs. Auburn: Why Iron Bowl 2011 Will Take Epic Rivalry to New Heights

The Iron Bowl every year is one of the greatest college football games to watch or be in attendance at. This year’s game will increase the rivalry to a new height because this year will see the Crimson Tide’s national title dreams come crashing to an end. 

In the past two Iron Bowl games both Alabama and Auburn fans have seen their beloved teams have their BCS championship hanging in the balance. Both games have seen the visiting team come into a hostile territory and walk away with a victory and National Title a month later. 

However, both games have seen the home team go flying out to an early lead but unable to hold on to pull off the upset. Alabama had to come back to pull off a thrilling last second victory in ’09 in Auburn. While Auburn led by Cam Newton came back on Alabama last year after being down 24-0. 

In those wins both Alabama and Auburn had multiple game changing offensive players that took over the game. In ’09 Alabama was led by Julio Jones and Mark Ingram. Where as in ’10 Auburn was led by Newton and Michael Dyer. 

This year, Jones, Ingram and Newton are gone, while Dyer and Alabama’s Trent Richardson are left to carry this game to new heights. 

The Iron Bowl this year has the potential to come down to an overtime finish. 

Both the Auburn and Alabama leaders are almost identical to each other in their passing games. Alabama is led by their quarterback A.J. McCarron and his 2,216 yards and 13 touchdowns. His main target is Marquis Maze with his 52 receptions with 609 yards and a touchdown. 

Now compare that to Auburn’s passing leaders and you’ll see numbers that come close to each other. For example Auburn is led by quarterback Barrett Trotter and his 1,009 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. With his top receiver being Emory Blake catching 30 balls for 505 yards and five touchdowns. 

This game will come down to which team’s running back can take over the game for their offense. If Alabama can get a Heisman Trophy performance from Richardson they will dominate this game. 

The same goes for Auburn’s Dyer. If he can find a way to find some holes in this great Alabama’s defense it will lead to a season defining win for this Tigers team. 

Alabama and Auburn will provide us with another memorable game. This year, if Auburn can sprint out to a large lead in the first half, maybe the home team will hold on for a win. 

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