Iron Bowl 2011: Trent Richardson and Defense Will Bury Auburn Early

If you want to know the manner in which Auburn will be dispatched on Saturday, consider the one-two punch of Trent Richardson and the Alabama defense. 

Auburn is overmatched. That fact is the sole reason the Iron Bowl in 2011 will be equal parts snooze fest as it will be Crimson Tide domination. 

There is simply nothing fun in watching your expectations come to light, even if it's in a blowout between two rivals. The Iron Bowl that usually shares two even-keeled programs will have one title contender against a team that has been playing above their heads for most of the year. 

Make no mistake, Auburn has proved that a little bit of defense and some timely scoring can go a long way. A rebuilding period no has them in the top-25 and that should be commended. The attaboys stop there as Alabama is simply too good this time around. 

Trent Richardson

Enter reason No. 1 that Auburn has their hands full. Alabama runs the ball very well and most of that has to do with Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson. 

Auburn is a group of inexperienced players that are still learning the ropes in consistently stopping the run. This is one area that they have struggled in all year long and will serve to be part of their demise on Saturday. 

Defense

Alabama has studs, plain and simple. This is a group of speedsters and hard-hitters on the Alabama defense. The worst part of it all is they just had a meager showing against a lesser team last week. 

Georgia Southern were allowed a season-high 21 points against Alabama. That breakdown will serve to actually inflate the cause of the Bama starters on Saturday. 

Pride will take over for a defense that is as near untouchable as any. Nobody wants to see a dreadful game, but I fear that is where this is headed as a phenomenal one-two punch is thrown at Auburn.