This is strictly a position comparison of both teams not a match-up prediction. There are definite match-up issues for both teams but I will leave them for
everyone else to discuss.
QB's- AU senior Chris Todd has put up good numbers during the year but has been somewhat hit or miss from game to game. His strengths are senior leadership and short to midrange passes, while his weaknesses look to be poor mobility and forcing the ball too deep rather than taking what the defense is giving. Todd has been adequate for this GM run offense but AU needs a more athletic QB to take the offense to the next level. Bama counters with first year starter Greg McElroy. McElroy has battled through the struggles a first year starter faces in the SEC and has looked impressive in some games and overwhelmed in others. Protecting the ball and accurate deep passes have been McElroy's strengths while avoiding pressure and locking onto receivers have been his downfall. Greg looks to be hitting his stride and gaining confidence after good showings against LSU, Miss St and UTC. Advantage: Push (This one is really too close to say either team has an advantage at QB)
RB's- AU has used multiple players in the backfield throughout the course of the year. Fannin, McCalebb, Burns, Smith have accounted for 45% of AU's rushing attempts while the majority of the carries have gone to senior running back Ben Tate. Tate has accumulated over 1200 yards with his powerful downhill running and is the key to AU's rushing game. When Tate is pounding straight ahead he is a force, when he starts to think and dance around his production falls off sharply. AU's spread offense is set up perfectly to blend the power of Tate with the speed of McCalebb and Fannin and force opposing defenses to account for every back on every snap, however injuries have somewhat limited McCalebb and Fannin forcing AU to rely more on Tate to get the bulk of the carries. The Tide is lead by SEC leading rusher Mark Ingram. Ingram uses an agile and powerful frame to quickly advance through the line of scrimmage getting into the faces of the opposing secondary. True freshman Trent Richardson has better power and speed than Ingram and could be a starting RB at most any other SEC school. Unfortunately, for Richardson he is behind Ingram and will not see the bulk of the carriers barring injury. Roy Upchurch continues to be a tremendous blocker and an excellent receiver out of the backfield on 3rd downs. Alabama uses the rotation of Ingram and Richardson to wear down defenses over the course of the game. Advantage: Alabama (Ingram plus Bama's depth wins out here)
WR's- The tigers are lead by the sure handed Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery who have accounted for over 1100 yards and 14 TD's. The threat of a deep passing game is now a legit issue for defenses whom come up in press coverage. The spread has allowed AU to get their RB more involved in the passing game as Fannin, Smith and Tate have hauled in a total of 68 passes, many of which have been crucial 3rd down conversions. This group of receivers is drastically improved over the 2008 squad that was unable to find a consistent go to guy or deep threat. Two sophomore receivers top the Tide's receiving core. Lightning fast Marquis Maze on one side and the strength and size of Julio Jones on the other. Junior receiver Darius Hanks, Mark Ingram and senior TE Colin Peek account for the bulk of the remaining pass receptions. There has not been that one receiver that has been head and shoulders above the rest as in past years. Alabama has been content with spreading the ball around in it's first 10 games. Julio Jones looks to finally be close to 100% and will get his fair share of passes thrown his way. Advantage: Auburn (They have been more productive over the first 11 games)
OL- Experience is the strength of Auburn's line while depth is a major concern. There is plenty of talent across the line, but consistency and mental mistakes have plagued the tigers all year long. The Tigers have been able to work around their weaknesses on the OL by utilizing their spread offense and multiple sets. Bama has found sufficient replacements for last years key starters in William Vlachos, Barrett Jones and James Carpenter. The Tide is in much better shape with their backups which provide needed depth and the starters continue to grow and improve as the season has progresses. Advantage: Alabama (Protecting the QB and few mental areas)
DL- Auburn is strong off the edges with Antonio Coleman and Antoine Carter. Coleman is as good a pass rusher as you will find in the SEC and is the leader of this unit. Shutting down the middle and stopping the run has been the most difficult tasks for this 2009 AU line. Lack of depth once again handcuffs this unit from their actual potential. Alabama employs one of the most talented and deep defensive lines in the country with Terrence Cody and Josh Chapman over the ball. Lorenzo Washington, Brandon Deaderick, Luther Davis and Marcell Dareus combine to fortify the stingiest rushing defense in the country. Dareus is only a sophomore but maybe the most talented of the bunch, he has consistently played in the backfield of every offense the Tide has faced. Advantage: Alabama (Depth, Depth, Depth)
LB- This may have been AU's thinnest group at the beginning of the season. Josh Bynes, Craig Stevens have played pretty much the entire season with few snaps off. Eltoro Freeman can't seem to shake the injury bug and looks to be the star of the bunch. Outside of Jonathan Evans filling in for Freeman there really is no more depth to speak of. It will be a major blow to the tigers D if Freeman is not available to play Friday. The Crimson Tide counters with the #2 Scoring Defense and the #1 Yardage Defense in the country. Headed by Junior Rolando McClain who will most definitely be a 1st round pick if he decides to leave after this year. After sophomore Donta Hightower went down earlier in the season the Tide reloaded with freshman Nico Johnson. Johnson is probably a step down from Hightower's versatility but in 3 years may be more sought after than either McClain or Hightower. Cory Reamer and Eryk Anders bring senior leadership from the outside while Jerrell Harris, Courtney Upshaw and Chris Jordan add depth across the middle. Advantage: Alabama (An All American leading the group with virtually unlimited depth)
DB- Auburn held the advantage at the start of the season due to their experience and strong secondary play from Neiko Thorpe and Zac Etheridge. Thorpe has heard lots of whispering and maybe a few boos here and there from the fans throughout the year but actually is one of the best pure corners across the country. Thorpe's stats should be much better and his play may not be as consistent as coaches would like but this is due in part to multiple injuries and lack of depth in the secondary. McFadden and Darren Bates have come on strong as of late and look to be key to the tigers slowing down opposing offenses. Across the field, Alabama starts one of the best cover corners in the SEC in Kareem Jackson and Javier Arenas has developed into a potential NFL corner. In the middle, Bama has a ball magnet in Mark Barron who leads the SEC in INT, senior Justin Woodall and up and coming star Robby Green are more than willing to lay the wood on WR's and RB's. Marguis Johnson has been picked on all year long and continues to break up and stop each and every attempt that comes his way. This is a senior heavy group that has lots of talent backing them up just waiting for a chance to get on the field. Tyrone King Jr., Ali Sharrief , Chris Rogers and Dre Kirkpatrick are used when the Tide goes into it's dime and nickel packages which is most of the time. Advantage: Alabama (Multiple game changers and depth)
ST- Wes Byrum continues to impress and be rock solid in making all but one FG. His play and calm nerve will be crucial to the Tigers on Friday. AU has two of the better punters in the league on the team but have gone with Clinton Durst all year and he has remained in the middle of the pack. The return game is hit or miss for AU, the kickoff team has put up good numbers but the punt return team is an accident waiting to happen. The tigers need to find someone whom feels comfortable fielding punts. Alabama has 3 of the best ST players in the league in Leigh Tiffin, P.J. Fitzgerald and return specialist Javier Arenas. Tiffin as been as good as Byrum with more attempts. Fitzgerald continues to flip the field for Bama's stout defense and Arenas is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Advantage: Alabama (If not for Arenas this would be a push.)
OVERALL STRENGHTS
Bama- Strong Running game and protects the ball on offense. One of if not the best defense in the nation. Special Teams play can score from literally anywhere.
Auburn- Versatile up tempo offense that can wear down opposing teams. Has big time play makers on the D Line and secondary. Has an All SEC place kicker.
OVERALL WEAKNESSES
Bama- Has been inefficient for most of the season in the redzone. Has given up big plays across the middle and has allowed return teams several TD's during the year.
Auburn- Todd is a one dimensional QB trying to run a read option offense . Inconsistency from the offensive line at the most crucial times. Overall lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball.
QB's- AU senior Chris Todd has put up good numbers during the year but has been somewhat hit or miss from game to game. His strengths are senior leadership and short to midrange passes, while his weaknesses look to be poor mobility and forcing the ball too deep rather than taking what the defense is giving. Todd has been adequate for this GM run offense but AU needs a more athletic QB to take the offense to the next level. Bama counters with first year starter Greg McElroy. McElroy has battled through the struggles a first year starter faces in the SEC and has looked impressive in some games and overwhelmed in others. Protecting the ball and accurate deep passes have been McElroy's strengths while avoiding pressure and locking onto receivers have been his downfall. Greg looks to be hitting his stride and gaining confidence after good showings against LSU, Miss St and UTC. Advantage: Push (This one is really too close to say either team has an advantage at QB)
RB's- AU has used multiple players in the backfield throughout the course of the year. Fannin, McCalebb, Burns, Smith have accounted for 45% of AU's rushing attempts while the majority of the carries have gone to senior running back Ben Tate. Tate has accumulated over 1200 yards with his powerful downhill running and is the key to AU's rushing game. When Tate is pounding straight ahead he is a force, when he starts to think and dance around his production falls off sharply. AU's spread offense is set up perfectly to blend the power of Tate with the speed of McCalebb and Fannin and force opposing defenses to account for every back on every snap, however injuries have somewhat limited McCalebb and Fannin forcing AU to rely more on Tate to get the bulk of the carries. The Tide is lead by SEC leading rusher Mark Ingram. Ingram uses an agile and powerful frame to quickly advance through the line of scrimmage getting into the faces of the opposing secondary. True freshman Trent Richardson has better power and speed than Ingram and could be a starting RB at most any other SEC school. Unfortunately, for Richardson he is behind Ingram and will not see the bulk of the carriers barring injury. Roy Upchurch continues to be a tremendous blocker and an excellent receiver out of the backfield on 3rd downs. Alabama uses the rotation of Ingram and Richardson to wear down defenses over the course of the game. Advantage: Alabama (Ingram plus Bama's depth wins out here)
WR's- The tigers are lead by the sure handed Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery who have accounted for over 1100 yards and 14 TD's. The threat of a deep passing game is now a legit issue for defenses whom come up in press coverage. The spread has allowed AU to get their RB more involved in the passing game as Fannin, Smith and Tate have hauled in a total of 68 passes, many of which have been crucial 3rd down conversions. This group of receivers is drastically improved over the 2008 squad that was unable to find a consistent go to guy or deep threat. Two sophomore receivers top the Tide's receiving core. Lightning fast Marquis Maze on one side and the strength and size of Julio Jones on the other. Junior receiver Darius Hanks, Mark Ingram and senior TE Colin Peek account for the bulk of the remaining pass receptions. There has not been that one receiver that has been head and shoulders above the rest as in past years. Alabama has been content with spreading the ball around in it's first 10 games. Julio Jones looks to finally be close to 100% and will get his fair share of passes thrown his way. Advantage: Auburn (They have been more productive over the first 11 games)
OL- Experience is the strength of Auburn's line while depth is a major concern. There is plenty of talent across the line, but consistency and mental mistakes have plagued the tigers all year long. The Tigers have been able to work around their weaknesses on the OL by utilizing their spread offense and multiple sets. Bama has found sufficient replacements for last years key starters in William Vlachos, Barrett Jones and James Carpenter. The Tide is in much better shape with their backups which provide needed depth and the starters continue to grow and improve as the season has progresses. Advantage: Alabama (Protecting the QB and few mental areas)
DL- Auburn is strong off the edges with Antonio Coleman and Antoine Carter. Coleman is as good a pass rusher as you will find in the SEC and is the leader of this unit. Shutting down the middle and stopping the run has been the most difficult tasks for this 2009 AU line. Lack of depth once again handcuffs this unit from their actual potential. Alabama employs one of the most talented and deep defensive lines in the country with Terrence Cody and Josh Chapman over the ball. Lorenzo Washington, Brandon Deaderick, Luther Davis and Marcell Dareus combine to fortify the stingiest rushing defense in the country. Dareus is only a sophomore but maybe the most talented of the bunch, he has consistently played in the backfield of every offense the Tide has faced. Advantage: Alabama (Depth, Depth, Depth)
LB- This may have been AU's thinnest group at the beginning of the season. Josh Bynes, Craig Stevens have played pretty much the entire season with few snaps off. Eltoro Freeman can't seem to shake the injury bug and looks to be the star of the bunch. Outside of Jonathan Evans filling in for Freeman there really is no more depth to speak of. It will be a major blow to the tigers D if Freeman is not available to play Friday. The Crimson Tide counters with the #2 Scoring Defense and the #1 Yardage Defense in the country. Headed by Junior Rolando McClain who will most definitely be a 1st round pick if he decides to leave after this year. After sophomore Donta Hightower went down earlier in the season the Tide reloaded with freshman Nico Johnson. Johnson is probably a step down from Hightower's versatility but in 3 years may be more sought after than either McClain or Hightower. Cory Reamer and Eryk Anders bring senior leadership from the outside while Jerrell Harris, Courtney Upshaw and Chris Jordan add depth across the middle. Advantage: Alabama (An All American leading the group with virtually unlimited depth)
DB- Auburn held the advantage at the start of the season due to their experience and strong secondary play from Neiko Thorpe and Zac Etheridge. Thorpe has heard lots of whispering and maybe a few boos here and there from the fans throughout the year but actually is one of the best pure corners across the country. Thorpe's stats should be much better and his play may not be as consistent as coaches would like but this is due in part to multiple injuries and lack of depth in the secondary. McFadden and Darren Bates have come on strong as of late and look to be key to the tigers slowing down opposing offenses. Across the field, Alabama starts one of the best cover corners in the SEC in Kareem Jackson and Javier Arenas has developed into a potential NFL corner. In the middle, Bama has a ball magnet in Mark Barron who leads the SEC in INT, senior Justin Woodall and up and coming star Robby Green are more than willing to lay the wood on WR's and RB's. Marguis Johnson has been picked on all year long and continues to break up and stop each and every attempt that comes his way. This is a senior heavy group that has lots of talent backing them up just waiting for a chance to get on the field. Tyrone King Jr., Ali Sharrief , Chris Rogers and Dre Kirkpatrick are used when the Tide goes into it's dime and nickel packages which is most of the time. Advantage: Alabama (Multiple game changers and depth)
ST- Wes Byrum continues to impress and be rock solid in making all but one FG. His play and calm nerve will be crucial to the Tigers on Friday. AU has two of the better punters in the league on the team but have gone with Clinton Durst all year and he has remained in the middle of the pack. The return game is hit or miss for AU, the kickoff team has put up good numbers but the punt return team is an accident waiting to happen. The tigers need to find someone whom feels comfortable fielding punts. Alabama has 3 of the best ST players in the league in Leigh Tiffin, P.J. Fitzgerald and return specialist Javier Arenas. Tiffin as been as good as Byrum with more attempts. Fitzgerald continues to flip the field for Bama's stout defense and Arenas is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Advantage: Alabama (If not for Arenas this would be a push.)
OVERALL STRENGHTS
Bama- Strong Running game and protects the ball on offense. One of if not the best defense in the nation. Special Teams play can score from literally anywhere.
Auburn- Versatile up tempo offense that can wear down opposing teams. Has big time play makers on the D Line and secondary. Has an All SEC place kicker.
OVERALL WEAKNESSES
Bama- Has been inefficient for most of the season in the redzone. Has given up big plays across the middle and has allowed return teams several TD's during the year.
Auburn- Todd is a one dimensional QB trying to run a read option offense . Inconsistency from the offensive line at the most crucial times. Overall lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball.
