Alabama vs Auburn: 5 reasons Tigers upset Crimson Tide
By John Buhler
3. Auburn is hard to beat when it leads in a game
Not that they are necessarily mirror images of each other, but both Alabama and Auburn are tough teams to beat when they have the lead. Both have a great pass rush and a running game it can lean on offensively to milk the clock.
While spread teams can theoretically put up points on an Alabama defense, the Crimson Tide’s spread-attack opposition will most likely leak like a sieve when it has to cover the multi-dimensional Lane Kiffin Alabama offense. Alabama can win in both a shootout and a knockdown, drag-out fight.
Auburn is built similarly. The Tigers can put up points on teams that have no clue what they are doing in run defense. They can also count on its defense in 2016 to make the big stop when need be in a tight ball game.
In short, Auburn is one of a few teams in the Power 5 than can distance itself from Alabama should it take an early lead. If Auburn shocks Alabama by a couple of scores in the first half, the Tigers are built to slam shut the door on the Crimson Tide comeback. Auburn isn’t built to blow a 17-point lead on Alabama.