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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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11 January 2016: Alabama head coach lifts the National Championship Trophy during the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
11 January 2016: Alabama head coach lifts the National Championship Trophy during the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

1. Auburn has to prove they can beat Alabama

This isn’t exclusive or unique to Auburn. In fact, it’s not really about Auburn as much as it is about Alabama. The Auburn Tigers don’t have to prove they can beat Alabama so much as Alabama needs to prove they can be beaten. Before Alabama loses a game, it’s difficult to preemptively give the advantage to any of their opponents.

As previously mentioned, the Alabama Crimson Tide have not lost a game in over a year. They are the defending national champions. There has been a grand total of one game all season in which they looked as though they could be beaten. And in that game against LSU, it was proven that not only could Alabama win, they could win ugly.

Alabama can beat you with three running backs. QB Jalen Hurts has looked mature beyond his years. He has thrown for over 2,000 yards and run for over 800 yards on the season. Hurts has also accounted for 30 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide have two wide receivers who can hurt the Tigers deep and multiple others to run underneath. The Alabama offense is multifaceted and more dangerous than in years past.

Defensively, Alabama simply has no equals. Not only do they possess the best run defense in college football, after a couple off years, the team also has one of the best, if not the best, pass rushes in the country.

Alabama has to prove they can lose despite all of their advantages. Auburn has to prove they can overcome the odds stacked against them.

Next: 5 reasons the Tigers upset the Crimson Tide

This is not to say Auburn cannot win. They can. This is a rivalry game. Upsets happen when there is more at stake than a win. And Auburn is a very good team. But it will take extraordinary performances from key players in order to pull off the upset.

It can happen, but as we’ve detailed, it’s not likely.

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