The Iron Bowl

[redbird4state]

is going to be badass to watch this year.

 

[rebelrouseri]

before I think they play Bama competitively.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

is going to be badass to watch from <span style="font-weight: bold;">section 43, row 44</span> this year.

Then make the decision to either drive directly to Starkville that night or first thing in the morning.....what a tough life I lead.

 

[patdog]

Auburn is much improved, but their #17 ranking is about where they belong. Alabama #3 ranking may be too low.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

....we shall revisit this topic in mid-November, That will give you time to change your mind.

 

[patdog]

Auburn's my 2nd favorite SEC school. Auburn's defense is just bad and their offense, while good, won't match up with Bama's defense. I see Auburn in the Peach Bowl and Bama in a BCS bowl, possibly the title game.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

Florida - BCS
Bama - BCS
LSU Auburn winner - Capital One
LSU Auburn loser - Cotton
UGA - Outback
UM - Peach

I am basing this on a belief that AU will beat UM in a few weeks.

 

[whatever.sixpack]

Pat, the spread neutralizes great defenses, and what malzahn does is even more multiple and harder to defend. UT's defense is on the same level as Bama and aubie still moved the ball. It's only a short matter of time until malzahn gets his own gig, and probably sooner rather than later because I think he'll be a guy that will take a uab type job as opposed to holding out for a big time place, which is what he'll eventually be qualified for

 

[patdog]

nm

 

[whatever.sixpack]

Ask Florida, or just look at the stats from last year. I think they finished 3rd in The nation and they have almost everyone back plus the addition of Monte kiffin. It's hard to finish third in the nation with an offense that bad that leaves you out on the field

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

last year. 16.8 and 17.8, and we brought basically everyone back on defense. UT has a good defense, but not a great one. They held Florida to 24, but they also played keepaway on offense to run the clock out the whole second half. And the mighty Ohio scored 23 on them.

 

[patdog]

Scoring defense: Bama - 14.4, UT - 19.6
Total defense: Bama - 222.2, UT - 278.8
Rush defense: Bama - 64.4, UT - 114.4
Pass defense: Bama - 157.8, UT - 163.8
Pass efficiency defense: Bama - 94.5, UT - 108.1
Interceptions: Bama - 5, UT - 3
Sacks: Bama - 15, UT - 10
Opponent 1st downs: Bama - 13.0, UT - 15.4
Opponent 3rd down conversions: Bama - 27.1%, UT - 34.2%
Opponent 4th down conversions: Bama - 40.0%, UT - 33.3% - FINALLY a stat where UT has the advantage
Turnovers forced: Bama - 8, UT - 8

 

[Frances Drebin]

I'm not saying Auburn is going undefeated or that they're going to beat Alabama. But it's tough to expect a team to be terrible, and then when they turn out not to be terrible, bemoan their "marginal competition". Based on what I've seen so far, Auburn is going to kick Ole Miss's ***. And they'll be competitive with everyone. If they end up with three or four losses, ****, that's a lot better than what everyone initially expected.

Personally, I think Auburn is better than LSU at this point and will play Alabama tough.

 

[redbird4state]

I think Chizik could be screwed when Malzhan leaves. Hell, I hear about Malzhan more than Chizik.

 

[sack07]

Play Bama tough? I'll give them that. Beat them? No way.

On being better than LSU, I think that one will be the interesting one to watch.

 

[whatever.sixpack]

You cant really compare stats until later in The year, or the end really. UT has played the two best offenses in the conference they may not finish ahead of bama because their offense is so bad, but it will be close just like it was last year