Iron Bowl Halftime Report: Scores and Injuries

The Iron Bowl has commenced and, very characteristically, it is a tough, physical game.  

Alabama leads 24-7, with Auburn's only touchdown coming from an outstanding defensive play. Auburn defensive end Corey Lemonier took advantage of a rare opportunity when he beat Tide left tackle Barrett Jones. He forced a fumble by quarterback A.J. McCarron in the Tide's own red zone. Auburn pounced on the ball for a touchdown.

The Tide's running game is experiencing troubles similar to what it faces every year in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers are going all-out to stop Trent Richardson, but while they are having some success they are not shutting him down. He's had 14 carries for 61 yards and no touchdowns, but does have a five-yard reception for a touchdown.

Richardson's backup, Eddie Lacy, has only one carry, and likely hasn't recovered well enough from his season-long turf toe injury, despite what the coaches said about how well he's recovered.

Mark Barron is another injured player. No updates have been given on his status, but he has not been on the field for most of the game. Early in the game he seemed to be shaken up during a tackle, and stayed on the ground for a few moments.  

Barron's primary backup, walk-on junior Will Lowery, tore his ACL last week against Georgia Southern and took the field with his teammates today on crutches. That left defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to turn to a third-string player, true freshman Vinnie Sunseri, son of Tide linebackers coach Sal Sunseri.  

Auburn's play on the field has been underwhelming. Their defense has been gouged through the air by A.J. McCarron and tight end Brad Smelley. Smelley has six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. McCarron is 14-of-18 for 164 yards, and is on pace to have career high yardage.  

Auburn's over-commitment to stopping Richardson in the first half has cost them through the air with McCarron throwing three touchdown passes.

The second half may see more production from Richardson as Auburn must adjust to the passing attack, and it may be necessary to boost Richardson's Heisman stock.

Only one half is over, and the score looks strikingly similar to that of the 2010 edition of the Iron Bowl. The game is far from over, but do not expect to see the same sort of meltdown the Tide experienced last year.