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Alabama vs. Auburn: 5 reasons the Crimson Tide defeat the Tigers

By Adam Cox

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn greet each other after the game at Jordan Hare Stadium. Alabama won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn greet each other after the game at Jordan Hare Stadium. Alabama won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Chattanooga Mocs quarterback Tyler Roberson (17) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Reuben Foster (10) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Chattanooga Mocs quarterback Tyler Roberson (17) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Reuben Foster (10) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Statistically speaking, Alabama is just better

On paper, Alabama and Auburn look very similar. The Crimson Tide have the 27th-ranked offense in college football. Auburn’s offense is ranked 30th. On defense, Alabama is only giving up 11.4 points per game, 2nd in the nation. Auburn is 6th, surrendering 14.3 points per game.

The statistical similarity and seeming equivalence end there, however. Alabama is averaging almost a touchdown more per game than Auburn. Furthermore, in the two FBS games played by Auburn since the injury to Sean White, the Tigers have only scored 18 points per game. In these two games the team passed for a total of 152 yards. That’s 76 passing yards per game. 

For the season, Auburn is only averaging 175.7 passing yards per game, good for 109th in college football. The Tigers are averaging 297.8 yards per game on the ground, offsetting their passing difficulties.

That’s not against Alabama, however. Alabama is only allowing 68.9 rushing yards per game, best in college football by almost 25 yards. Auburn has struggled this season when facing other stout run defenses. Against Clemson and LSU, the Auburn Tigers ran for 87 yards and 154 yards, respectively. Clemson and LSU are not Alabama.

Finally, the Crimson Tide have failed to score 30 points in a game only once this season. Alabama struggled in that game because LSU was able to put constant and consistent pressure on QB Jalen Hurts while simultaneously keeping him in the pocket. It wasn’t until late in the game that Hurts was able to escape the pocket and generate big plays with his legs.

Auburn’s pass rush has been inconsistent this season. And Auburn’s defense is not as athletic as LSU. If Alabama is able to make Auburn one-dimensional and keep their defense on the field, the Tiger defense will wear down late in the game, just as LSU did.

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