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ALABAMA (11-0, 7-0) vs. Auburn (7-4, 3-4) 11.27.09 TIME: 1:30 p.m. TV: CBS GAMEDAY '09

Also inside: • Buy or Sell • Etched in stone: 1992 2009 Schedule

Date Opponent Result

9/05/09 Virginia Tech W 34-24

9/12/09 Florida International W 40-14

9/19/09 North Texas W 53-7

9/26/09 Arkansas W 35-7

10/03/09 Kentucky W 38-20

10/10/09 Ole Miss W 22-3

10/17/09 South Carolina W 20-6

10/24/09 Tennessee W 12-10

11/07/09 LSU W 24-15

11/14/09 Mississippi State W 31-3

11/21/09 UT Chattanooga W 45-0

Date Opponent Location GameDay Publish Date 11/27/09 Auburn Auburn 11/24/09

12/05/09 Florida Atlanta 12/03/09 ON THE INSIDE GameDay 2009 • November 24 1 4 | After suffering through six consecutive 2009 losses to the Auburn Tigers, Alabama has By Britton Lynn seized control of the rivalry and the state. Stat of the week Mark Ingram is 73 rushing yards away from setting the single season Alabama rushing yardage record. Ingram sits at 1,399 yards through eleven games, with the record at 1,471 yards.

GAME INFORMATION Alabama • Field: Jordan-Hare Stadium Crimson • Place: Auburn • Time: 1:30 p.m. Tide (11-0) • TV: CBS CW File vs. • Radio: 1420 AM (Eli Gold, Auburn play-by-play; Phil Savage, 3 | PLAYSTATION SIMULATION 8 | BUY OR SELL Tigers (7-4) color analyst; Barry Krauss, Could Alabama repeat last year’s The situation at sideline reporter) 36-0 shutout performence? This Kansas has everybody talking. week’s simulation says they can Should the Jayhawks fire him? And come pretty close. A 37-3 victory has Iowa done enough to make a GAMEDAY STAFF caps a perfect SEC record. case for a BCS Bowl bid? • Jason Galloway, GameDay editor By Will Nevin • Spencer White, assistant GameDay editor • Amanda Peterson, editor-in-chief 9 | ETCHED IN STONE 11 | COLUMN • Will Nevin, managing editor • Brandee Easter, design editor The final installment of Etched in A blowout of Tennessee • Emily Johnson, assistant design editor Stone examines Alabama’s first — Chattanooga last week did more • Aaron Gertler, graphics editor and still only — post-Bryant nation- than give the Tide a win. It helped • Jerrod Seaton, photo editor al title team. Alabama prepare for Auburn. • Katie Bennett, photographer • John Michael Simpson, photographer By Spencer White By Jason Galloway Cover photo: CW FIle

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Tuscaloosa 1130 University Blvd 205.366.0888 Fairhope s Spanish Fort s Mobile s Foley s Orange Beach s Destin s Jacksonville Beach s Atlanta s Auburn s Birmingham s Oxford s Fayetteville www.ShopPrivateGallery.com 2 November 24 • GameDay 2009 PICKS, POLLS AND PERSPECTIVE CW PICKS | WEEK 13

Jason Galloway Spencer White Cyrus Ntakirutinka Aaron Gertler Amanda Peterson Will Nevin Drew Gunn GameDay editor Asst. GameDay editor Senior sports reporter Graphics editor CW editor CW managing editor Advertising manager #2 Alabama at Auburn #18 Clemson at South Carolina #21 Utah at #19 BYU Tennessee at Kentucky #9 Pittsburgh at West Virginia Arkansas at #15 LSU Missouri at Kansas Season record 49-28 51-26 46-31 47-30 49-28 50-27 49-28

UA students AP POLL BCS STANDINGS the talk about their student expectations for 1. Florida (36) 1. Florida the upcoming 2. Alabama (13) 2. SECTION 3. Texas (11) 3. Texas game. 4. TCU 4. TCU CW | Jerrod Seaton 5. Cincinnati 5. Cincinnati Jonathan Hill Bri Condrillo Senior Sophomore 6. Boise State 6. Boise State Finance Special education 7. 7. Georgia Tech “The Crimson “Bama rolls Tide is going to right through 8. Pittsburgh 8. Oregon bring a drought Auburn en 9. Ohio State 9. Pittsburgh to farmville.” route to Atlanta.” 10. Oregon 10. Ohio State 11. Oklahoma State 11. Iowa 12. Penn State 12. Oklahoma State Lauren Miller Michael Bare 13. Iowa 13. Penn State Sophomore Senior Biology Criminal justice 14. Virginia Tech 14. Virginia Tech

“Alabama is “ 15. Clemson 15. LSU bringing two should have things to the held his 16. Oregon State 16. Oregon State Plains the Ti- tongue. He is 17. LSU 17. Miami gers will never going to limp have — class off the fi eld 18. BYU 18. Clemson and tradition.” against the Tide.” 19. Miami 19. BYU

Ryan Thrasher Shay Sneed 20. Mississippi 20. USC Junior Sophomore Communications Business 21. California 21. Utah 22. Utah 22. California “Gene Cheez- “Go to fell Au- Itʼs team looks burn. Itʼs going 23. North Carolina 23. Houston like a tasty to be another snack for our shutout like last 24. USC 24. North Carolina hungry Crim- year.” son Tide.” 25. Houston 25. Mississippi PS3 SIMULATION GameDay 2009 • November 24 3 PS3 SAYS | ALABAMA 37, AUBURN 3 SIMULATION STATISTICS

BY WILL NEVIN Managing Editor Alabama • Passing: Greg McElroy, 13-of-19, It wasn’t quite the 36-0 beating the Auburn 213 yds, 3 TD Tigers suffered at the hands of the Crimson Tide to end their 2008 season. • Rushing: Mark Ingram, 27 rushes, But it was close. 181 yds, 1 TD Alabama used a suffocating defensive attack and a balanced offense to punish Auburn 37-3 • Receiving: , 2 in the 2009 edition of the Iron Bowl, capping off receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD a perfect in-conference season and sending the Tigers to another offseason of discontent. • Top Defensive Performer: Alabama got on the board in a big way with a Rolando McClain, 5 tackles 54-yard Greg McElroy to Marquis Maze touch- down connection that put the Tide up 7-0, and McElroy followed that in the second quarter with a 19-yard pass to wide receiver Julio Auburn Jones. kicked field goals of 27 and 31 yards to send the Tide into the locker room at • Passing: Chris Todd, 13-of-18, halftime up 20-0. NCAA 2010 screenshot 113 yards Tiffin added to the lead in the third quarter Tide receiver catches a 19-yard • Rushing: Ben Tate, 9 rushes, 53 with another 27-yard , but Tiger kicker touchdown pass from Greg Wes Byrum booted a 21-yard field goal to put McElroy to put Alabama up 13-0. The Tide won yards Auburn on the board at 23-3. Running back Mark 37-3. Ingram added a pair of , a 23-yard • Receiving: , 5 run and a 19-yard catch, to finish the scoring. paltry 2-of-7 on third down attempts. receptions, 53 yards Alabama dominated in total offense, outgain- With the win (and after presumably beating ing the Tigers 402-155. The Tide was particu- the Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs, a team not • Top Defensive Performer: Josh larly successful on third down, converting 4-of-8 included on “NCAA Football 10”), Alabama is 11-1 Bynes, 6 tackles, 1 TFL attempts. The Alabama defense held Auburn to a (8-0) on the simulated season. Dominating Dixie

Terrence Cody celebrates after recovering a in last year's 36-0 Iron Bowl shutout. CW File A year after finally breaking out of its Iron Bowl slump, Alabama looks to take control Dominating Dixie of the biggest rivalry in the country.

BY BRITTON LYNN Sports Reporter

ost peo- ple around the country believe playing Florida in the M championship will be Alabama’s biggest game of the year. But to Alabama resi- dents and fans, the Iron Bowl determines the success of the season, no matter how great their other games throughout the year are or what ranking either team owns. “I grew up hating Auburn,” said senior kicker Leigh Tiffin. “That’s just the way it is in this state. You like one team and you hate the other one. It’s about state pride. It’s about represent- ing your university well. It’s an important one to everyone on our team.” Although the name Iron Bowl goes back to Birmingham’s past role in the iron and steel indus- try and hosting the game, the name does not exemplify the extent to which the game is held on such a high pedestal in the state. To some players, the game’s outcome even affected their decision to come play for the Crimson Tide. 6 November 24 • GameDay 2009 “I was [at Jordan Hare Stadium] when [Auburn] played Alabama two years ago when [Alabama] lost,” said senior nose guard . “That’s what really made my decision to come here — the competition between those two teams. That’s what really made me excited.” The noise and crowd involve- ment during this rivalry game is unexplainable, something that someone can only understand if they experience the game in person. After the coin is tossed, neighbors become enemies, friends become foes, and noth- ing else in the state matters until the final second ticks away. “You’re either Alabama or you’re Auburn,” said senior defensive back Ali Sharrief. “There’s no in between. I feel like those guys are going to come out and try to beat us and ruin our dreams, and I know everybody on this team wants to play them and win.” Saban has permanently instilled his “one game at a CW File time” philosophy into his play- Linebacker Rolando McClain celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble in last yearʼs 36-0 blow- ers’ minds, but nothing can dis- out of Auburn. The victory was the Tideʼs fi rst Iron Bowl victory in Tuscaloosa. place the hatred that the players who from Alabama have been Reamer grew up in a family of will get back to being diehard at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Before taught to believe their whole Auburn fans and switched sides Auburn fans, but that’s part of Alabama shut out Auburn last life, a loathing unmatched by when he joined the Tide. But his it.” year at Bryant Denny Stadium any other rivalry. family members still don’t cheer The Alabama-Auburn rivalry 36-0 for its first ever Iron Bowl “A lot of preparation, a lot for Alabama. They only cheer began in 1893, when both foot- victory in Tuscaloosa, Auburn of emotion and enthusiasm,” for their son. ball programs were less than a was on a six-game winning said senior Javier “It was an easy conversion for year old. After a game in 1907, streak in the rivalry. Arenas on the game. “You can’t me,” Reamer said. “It became the two schools did not meet But, the Tide has changed. get a pep talk before this game. a place I love, and I’ll never again for 40 years. The break Many fans believe the domi- That takes care of itself. If you change. Ever since I’ve been only strengthened the intensity nance of the rivalry has finally can’t get fired up before this here, it’s [been] a part of my of the rivalry. shifted from Auburn to Alabama game then there’s something heart… They are definitely still The Tide now leads the — and that that’s the way it’s wrong with you.” Auburn fans at heart, when I get series 39-33-1, but Auburn has going to stay. Senior linebacker Cory through playing I’m sure they a 7-2 record for games played “It’s the greatest rivalry in

try our Newk’s “Q” Newk’s white BBQ sauce, grilled chicken breast, Applewood smoked bacon and Swiss cheese Come In Today! 205 University Blvd. (205)758-2455 GameDay 2009 • November 24 7 players ready to play their best Saban said the Tide spent football, and our coaches will do part of its bye week a few weeks whatever they need to do to get ago looking at Auburn and that that done.” Auburn’s explosive offense will be Even as a sophomore from difficult to prepare for this week. Flint, Mich., running back Mark “We worked on some of our Ingram said he understands the future opponents during the significance of a victory against bye week a couple of weeks ago, Auburn. so we did spend some time on “It’s real important,” he said. [Auburn] then,” he said. “We “Alabama vs. Auburn, the Iron understand what we need to do. Bowl,” is really all he needed to It’s going to be difficult prepa- say. ration because they do a really To the seniors, their season good job with their offense in will be meaningless without terms of their personnel, their finishing off the season with a formations and how they utilize win in their archrival’s territo- those things. CW File ry. These are the type of games “They have a really good back, Running back Mark Ingram breaks a 14-yard touchdown run against where it doesn’t matter if one they run the ball effectively. Auburn last year, his second of the game. team is the top team in the nation They’ve made a lot of explo- and the other hasn’t won a single sive plays in the passing game, , and [this year’s what could be at stake if Alabama game, because the only thing sometimes when people don’t game] will be a good experi- lost to the Tigers. But, he’s not that will matter the day after adjust properly and sometimes ence,” said junior quarterback willing to let his season be taken Thanksgiving is this one game. because they are trying to stop Greg McElroy. “They’re play- away from his team at the blink “To the people in this state, the run.” ing well, and it’s at their place, of an eye because of a few mental it makes or breaks a season,” The 60 minutes of the Iron which is always exciting. I can’t flaws caused by the rivalry. Reamer said. “It’s a one-game Bowl will not only determine a really forget the taste in our “This will be a challenging season from here on out, and winner in the state of Alabama, mouths walking out of there a game for us in every way,” Saban we’re going to be preparing like but it will also establish brag- couple of years ago as losers, said. “It’s an important game it is. It’s going to be tough. It ging rights for the next year, so I’m looking forward to the for everybody that’s involved in always is, no matter how good or which to some fans could end up opportunity. terms of our program here, that bad the teams are it’s always a being the longest, most painful knows we do a good job of getting our good game.” year of their lives. 8 November 24 • GameDay 2009 BUY OR SELL SPENCER WHITE KANSAS SHOULD FIRE MARK MANGINO JASON GALLOWAY Assistant GameDay Editor GameDay Editor SELL BUY Kansas can do what they want, Regardless of whether the allega- but firing Mark Mangino would be tions of mistreating his players are among the biggest mistakes the true, recruits won’t believe it’s not. Jayhawks could possibly make. Parents of recruits won’t believe it’s Mangino has made more strides for not. Keeping Mangino around will the Kansas football program in the only hinder the program from mov- last five years than many of their ing forward. Aside from that situa- fans thought possible. For crying tion, Kansas has more talent than out loud, a team from Lawrence its 1-6 Big XII record indicates. The won the Orange Bowl. Kansas just MCT Campus Jayhawks have underachieved this doesn’t play in the Orange Bowl. season. IOWA DESERVES A BCS BOWL BID SELL SELL The Hawkeyes have been a team Alabama or Florida will take one of on the edge for the entire sea- the at-large spots, undefeated TCU son. Iowa was seemingly always and Boise State, without question, one play away from disaster and deserve a birth over a two-loss Iowa, able to avert it at the last second. and I would take Pittsburgh, Oregon With back-to-back losses against and maybe even Oklahoma State Northwestern and Ohio State, they over a Hawkeyes team that was obviously couldn’t. Teams like scary close to being in the middle of Boise State and TCU have avoided the pack of the Big 10 this year. Iowa those pitfalls, and both deserve held on to BCS dreams as long as it to go to a big-time January bowl could, but the Hawkeyes are not one game over the Hawkeyes this year. MCT Campus of the top 10 teams in the country. ETCHED IN STONE | 1992 GameDay 2009 • November 24 9

The centennial champs

BY SPENCER WHITE attempt with 30 seconds left in the Assistant GameDay Editor game, Alabama stood one game away from a chance to win the pro- In the 100th year of varsity foot- gram’s 12th national title. ball at the University, it seemed Then the unthinkable hap- only fitting that the Crimson Tide pened. The Tide, in its first trip would remind the nation exactly ever to Auburn, lost 30-20 to the what tradition meant to the people Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium. of Tuscaloosa. It was Alabama’s fourth consecu- It was a difficult road. Gone were tive loss to Auburn and its fifth the days of the Bear, and Tide fans in seven games. The loss caused reflected on it every day of the shockwaves throughout the Tide year. During football season, the faithful, leading to Curry’s resig- reflections had turned to heart- nation and subsequent hiring at break. Kentucky. Alabama turned to Gene In the nine seasons since Paul Stallings, a former Texas A&M Bryant’s retirement, the Tide had player and assistant coach under Bryant Museum turned in a mere three 10-win sea- Bryant. , the only Tide sons from 1983 to 1991, after nine in The hire was controversial for coach to win a national title in the Bryant’s last 12 campaigns. Worse, many Tide fans, who worried wake of Paul W. “Bear” Bryant. Alabama had captured only one about the fact that Stallings had Southeastern Conference title, a not coached in the collegiate ranks shared crown with Auburn and since his final season with Texas ral SEC Championship at Legion Tennessee in 1989. A&M in 1971. After a 7-5 season in Field in Birmingham. Like many of Indeed, many things changed 1990, the controversy turned into the Tide’s games that season, the around the Capstone as a result of doubt. victory was a direct result of an the 1989 season. The head coach at No one doubted two years later. outstanding defensive play when the time, , was the second After an 11-1 campaign in sophomore cornerback Antonio man to attempt to step out of the 1991, where the Tide’s only loss Langham intercepted a Shane large shadow cast by Bryant. After came against the Florida Gators, Matthews pass and returned it starting the season 10-0, includ- Alabama charged out of the gates 21 yards for a touchdown with ing a dramatic 17-16 victory over in 1992, rolling to a 12-0 start that just three minutes remaining in Penn State where the Tide blocked included a thrilling 28-21 victory an 18-yard Nittany Lions field goal over the Gators in the inaugu- See 1992, page 10 10 November 24 • GameDay 2009 1992 Continued from page 9 the contest. The 1992 Alabama defense was perhaps unlike any in the storied program’s history. Football histo- rians still debate whether the unit was the best of all time, and evi- dence supports the argument. Up front, the Tide was anchored by a defensive end duo of and . Possibly the two best defensive bookmarks in Tide history, Copeland and Curry were formidable enough on their own (each man produced 10.5 sacks in the 1992 season), but together were an almost unstoppa- ble duo. The two were so dominant that both were named first-team All-Americans at the end of the season. In the secondary, cornerback Bryant Musuem Langham and free safety George Alabama free safety and future NFL star high-steps into the endzone on his that Teague patrolled the edges of the was returned for a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl. Teague would make the legendary strip of . field like a Secret Service sentinel. Each recorded six , and the defensive backfield did not Thomas, considered the fastest three interceptions, one of which Tide corner Willie Gaston around surrender 300 passing yards in a man in college football. Thomas Teague returned for a touch- the edge and hauled in a Torretta single game of the entire season. talked a big game before the show- down, as Alabama decimated the pass at the 36-yard line. Thomas In fact, the Tide defense did not down in New Orleans, stating that Hurricanes 34-13 to earn its 12th burst down the sideline, confident surrender 300 total yards in any real men did not play zone defense, national title and first in 13 years. in his speed, sure that no man game until the SEC Championship. like the Alabama defensive backs Teague’s finest moment, howev- would catch him. No team recorded 150 rushing did. er, would not come on his intercep- Teague had other ideas. yards, and only two teams would His tune would change. tion return. It was instead on a play The safety moved like a blur and score more than 20 points the Alabama came out on defense that meant nothing in reality but caught “the fastest man in college entire season, while the Tide and completely overwhelmed everything symbolically. football” from the back, stripping recorded three shutouts. Torretta, sometimes lining 11 men Thomas, the loudmouth, the the ball from Thomas near the goal Yet somehow, this group entered on the line of scrimmage, switching Hurricane who fancied himself a line and returning to around the the 1993 Sugar Bowl ranked No. between man and zone defense, national celebrity, had been shut Tide 20-yard line. 2 and a decided underdog to and providing such a dominant down for the majority of the game The play was nullified by an off- the defending national cham- pass that Copeland later stat- to that point, hauling in only four sides penalty, but the message was pion , led by ed that he could see visible fear in short passes. With Miami facing clear. Heisman-winning quarterback the Heisman winner’s eyes during second down and 10 yards to go at The best team in America was and receiver Lamar the second half. Torretta threw its own 11-yard line, Thomas beat wearing crimson.

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WWW.WATERMARKOUTLETS.COM Conveniently located on I-59/20 at Exit #110 Bessemer, AL 1-866-2WATERMARK 205-425-4554 COLUMN GameDay 2009 • November 24 11 Blowout of Mocs affects Iron Bowl They say a win is a win, but a game actually It was just Chattanooga, but I’m willing to bet game like Alabama’s 45-0 wallop- is.” ing of Tennessee-Chattanooga on Not only a hit from Mocs defensive end Josh Beard gives Saturday disproves the theory. does taking a little more of a jolt than knocking the recliner The Crimson Tide came out on the starters against the back wall. fire — as they should have — and out prevent “ took a 35-0 halftime lead. At this second-half point, the game was over. There injuries, but If the Tide had come out slug- Beard gives a little more of a jolt was no way the Mocs could have it can even gish Saturday and allowed the than knocking the recliner against come from that far behind, and translate into Mocs to hang around, the starters the back wall. ” Alabama comfortably sent in its JASON better practic- may have been forced to play the I’ve heard many people say that second stringers for an entire half. GALLOWAY es throughout majority of the game. With the big- games like Chattanooga are practi- Young players who are destined GameDay Editor the following gest game of the year on a short cally bye weeks, but those people to play major roles for Alabama in week. And for week coming up, there was no bet- may have a change of heart if they the future received valuable game a coach like Alabama’s Nick Saban, ter game for Alabama to hang a were to ever wake up a day after action. But most importantly, the who likes to front load shorter 35-point halftime lead. taking 20 carries through the two- Tide’s starters received much less weeks, that time off on Saturday Nobody expected anything less hole against the Mocs defense. time on the field than they normal- could mean a lot. from the Tide, but in a game that No matter how out of hand the ly would. Heading into Iron Bowl Saban said in a week like this most fans deemed irrelevant may score is, everyone on the field preparation that CBS has shaved one, when there are less than have actually held a significant takes hits. If the score was 17-0 at a day short, giving the first unit a seven days between games, he positive impact on Friday’s game halftime, would Alabama still have half off on a week Auburn conve- likes to move everything up a day against Auburn. won the game? Yes. But the Tide’s niently had a bye may play a big- and keep the end of the week the As the Tigers sat on the couch starters would have played longer ger factor than one would think. same for recuperation purposes. and watched football all week- and taken more hits before begin- And like senior left guard But if everyone was still recover- end, Alabama was banging heads ning an early practice schedule. Mike Johnson said after the ing from the previous game on with Chattanooga. It was just Jumping out on Chattanooga Chattanooga game: “I don’t know Monday, that wouldn’t do Alabama Chattanooga, but I’m willing to bet may not mean anything. Jumping if people understand how tiring a a whole lot of good. a hit from Mocs defensive end Josh out on Auburn would. 3UHSDUHIRUD 3DUW\ RQWKH3ODLQV 12 November 24 • GameDay 2009 SEC ROUNDUP Around the Compiled by Laura Owens conference Sports Reporter Florida State at #1 Florida Arkansas at #15 LSU Time: 6 p.m. on ESPN Time: 2:30 p.m. on CBS Series: LSU leads 33-19-2 Series: Florida leads 32-19-2 What to look for: The Tigers left Oxford, Miss., What to look for: Florida has won the last five in with their heads down after losing to Ole Miss on this series and will not be expecting any trouble poor clock management. After such a devastat- from FSU this year. FSU starting quarterback ing loss, it may be hard to get back up for anoth- Christian Ponder is still out, and the second string- er game. Arkansas won big against Mississippi er isn’t playing so well, with one touchdown to State, and they’re currently on a two-year win- four interceptions. Florida’s defense will likely try ning streak against LSU. The Razorbacks always to get pressure on him. As for Florida, Tebow will puts up big offensive numbers. do what he always does: pass some and run a lot. Tennessee at Kentucky Georgia at #7 Georgia Tech Time: 6 p.m. on ESPNU Time: 7 p.m. on ABC Series: Tennessee leads 73-23-9 Series: Georgia leads 59-39-5 What to look for: Tennessee had no problem What to look for: Last year, Georgia Tech taking care of Vanderbilt, while Kentucky had won this game for the first time in seven years. a come-from-behind win to beat Georgia. In the Though Georgia had a good win against Auburn current SEC East standings, Kentucky is ranked two weeks ago, its performance in Saturday’s just above Tennessee. Though Tennessee leads seven-point loss against Kentucky was disap- the overall series, Kentucky is having a better pointing. Georgia Tech has taken down some top- overall season. After adding the home advantage, ranked opponents this year, only losing to Miami. Tennessee may be going into this game as the Tech will also play in the ACC Championship underdog. next week. #18 Clemson at South Carolina Ole MIss at Mississippi State Time: 11 a.m. on ESPN Time: 11:21 a.m. on SEC Network Series: Clemson leads 65-37-4 Series: Ole Miss leads 58-41-6 What to look for: Clemson is representing the What to look for: Ole Miss has had its good games Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship game. as well as its bad, but coming off the biggest win of They’re sporting a potential Heisman candidate in the season against LSU, the Rebels shouldn’t have running back C.J. Spiller. However, Clemson still a problem with Mississippi State. Ole Miss running poses a double threat. Their passing game has back Dexter McCluster has almost 1,000 yards for also been effective. South Carolina’s main offense the season. MSU starting running back Anthony comes from passing yards. The Gamecocks did Dixon has already topped 1,000 yards. The differ- have an off week before facing Clemson, so they ence is Rebel quarterback Jevan Snead can also should be well rested. help through the air, whereas MSU quarterback Tyson Lee has struggled. LIVE CLOSE TO CLASS NOW LEASING FOR 2010 UPGRADES: Basketball & sand volleyball court NEW swimming pool furniture Computer lab

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MARK INGRAM VS AUBURN FRONT SEVEN

Stopping the run is really the weak part of Auburn’s entire team. The Tigers rank 91st in the country in that category, giving up nearly 170 yards on the ground per game. Going up against a team that lives on the ground and has a Heisman candidate in the backfield does not bode well for Auburn. For the Tigers to win, they will need to contain Ingram and force the Crimson Tide to throw the ball. EDGE

CW |John Michael Simpson MCT Campus

ALABAMA SECONDARY VS CHRIS TODD

Chris Todd has added explosiveness to Auburn’s offense this season that has not been there in the past. Alabama’s secondary has seen this talented before, however, and made them look far worse than their average performance (exam- ple: Ryan Mallett in week four). The Tide’s second- ary has been improving every week, and Todd has used a few cupcake opponents to pad his stats this season. EDGE

CW | Katie Bennett scout.com

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McElroy heads to Auburn this Saturday Tate has emerged in the 2009 sea- appearing to have regained his groove son as the star running back Tiger after a midseason drop in performance. fans hoped he would be upon his In the last three games the Tide has arrival in 2006. Through 11 games, played, the junior has completed a shade the senior has rushed for 1,209 yards more than 60 percent of his passes for and eight touchdowns for an aver- 548 yards, five touchdowns and just one age of just more than 109 yards per interception. Despite a reputation as a contest. The back created controver- spotty defense, the Tigers actually rank sy after the loss to Georgia, stating 31st in the nation in pass defense for the he was the best running back in the 2009 season. McElroy will need to estab- state of Alabama. Tate will have a lish the passing threat to keep the Tigers chance to prove it Friday against a from stacking the box against the run. stout Alabama rush defense. Julio Jones, WR Chris Todd, QB

For Tide fans who had begun to worry Todd has been the biggest surprise of about Jones falling victim to the dreaded ’s offense this year, com- sophomore slump, the star wideout’s per- piling an impressive 19 touchdowns formance in the last three weeks should against only five picks while com- appease some worry. It’s no coincidence pleting 59.9 percent of his passes for that Greg McElroy’s improved play hap- 2,196 yards. Todd has shown that he pens to coincide with Jones’s. Since the can be slowed down by an aggressive LSU game, McElroy has found Jones defense, most notably in a 31-10 loss 11 times for 233 yards and three touch- to LSU where the senior was held downs. In the first eight games of 2009, to a measly 47 yards, no TDs and an Jones had only recorded 20 receptions for INT. Look for the Alabama defense 229 yards and a single touchdown. Look to pressure Todd much like previous for Jones to continue the trend Friday. opposing quarterbacks this year. Mike Johnson, LG Walter McFadden, CB

The senior leader for the Tide offensive McFadden has been the bright spot line has had an All-American caliber of an underwhelming Tiger defense, year, gelling a new group of linemen pulling in a team-leading four inter- together into a fierce and physical force ceptions, including one that was in both run and pass blocking. Johnson returned for a touchdown. McFadden will be suiting up for his final encoun- has also proven a solid run-stopper, ter against the Tigers Saturday, and he compiling 4.5 tackles-for-loss from couldn’t have asked for a better matchup the cornerback position. The senior on the defensive line, as the Tigers have will need to be active all over the field struggled to contain opposing rushers on Friday if the Tigers hope to regain all season. Look for Johnson and com- the balance of power from the Tide pany to bulldoze the Auburn defense. and play the spoiler to Alabama’s national title dreams. OFFENSIVE STARTERS DEFENSIVE STARTERS OFFENSIVE STARTERS DEFENSIVE STARTERS LT 77 James Carpenter (Jr.) DE 95 (Sr.) LT 73 (Jr.) DE 52 Antonio Coleman (Sr.) LG 78 Mike Johnson (Sr.) DT 62 Terrence Cody (Sr.) LG 57 Byron Isom (Jr.) DT 93 Mike Blanc (Jr.) C 73 (So.) DE 97 (Sr.) C 50 (Jr.) DT 91 Jake Ricks (Sr.) RG 75 (R-Fr.) JACK 32 (Sr.) RG 66 Mike Berry (Jr.) DE 49 Michael Goggans (Jr.) RT 79 Drew Davis (Sr.) WILL 35 (Fr.) RT 75 Andrew McCain (Sr.) WLB 46 Craig Stevens (Jr.) TE 84 (Sr.) MIKE 25 Rolando McClain (Jr.) QB 12 Chris Todd (Sr.) MLB 21 (So.) HB 85 Preston Dial (Jr.) SAM 13 (Sr.) RB 44 Ben Tate (Sr.) SLB 17 (Jr.) QB 12 Greg McElroy (Jr.) CB 3 (Jr.) TB 27 (Jr.) CB 6 Walt McFadden (Sr.) RB 22 Mark Ingram (So.) FS 27 (Sr.) TE 5 Tommy Trott (Sr.) S 25 (Fr.) WR 8 Julio Jones (So.) SS 4 (So.) WR 81 Terrell Zachary (Jr.) S 14 (Jr.) WR 4 Marquis Maze (So.) CB 28 Javier Arenas (Sr.) WR 89 Darvin Adams (So.) CB 15 (So.) SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS K 99 Leigh Tiffin (Sr.) K 18 Wes Byrum (Jr.) P 7 P.J. Fitzgerald (Sr.) P 97 Clinton Durst (Sr.) PR 28 Javier Arenas (Sr.) PR 27 Mario Fannin (Jr.) KR 28 Javier Arenas (Sr.) KR 81 Terrell Zachary (Jr.) 8 Julio Jones (So.) 23 Onterio McCalebb (Fr.)