GDW Analysis:
AUBURN: In being the final game of this weekend's schedule in the SEC, much more than pride is looming in the latest edition of the Iron Bowl.
Alabama is in the position of going to the SEC championship game if the Crimson Tide can prevail Saturday evening from Pat Dye Field/Jordan Hare Stadium.
Auburn is for sure in a position to be a spoiler.
Despite two losses in 11 games, Alabama is looking good in the quest of being a participant to the SEC title bout next weekend in Atlanta.
Alabama is 6 & 1 in the conference and has a head to head stature in victory against Georgia in late September.
Auburn is facing the fact of possibly not being bowl eligible once again. At 5 & 6, the Tigers have nothing to lose if they can compose a solid game plan at Alabama's expense.
Auburn has fought hard with tough losses in the conference to Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. The setbacks with Missouri and Vanderbilt were decided in OT play.
Auburn plans to start Ashton Daniels at QB despite a great outing last Saturday by true freshman Deuce Knight in 62 to 17 victory against Mercer.
“Let's really focus on what he does well,” said interim coach CJ Durkin of Daniels’ 442-yard, four touchdown performance against Vanderbilt. “Let's focus on who he gets the ball to and make it about that. Credit again to our coaches and to Ashton for executing that. I thought they really did a good job."
Durkin reported the Tigers are in a one day, one game at a time approach.
He challenged his team this week to go through a pro mindset as the school has been closed for the week due to Thanksgiving.
Alabama was in a groove playing good football until mistakes became an issue two weeks ago with Oklahoma as the Tide fell 23 to 21.
Two miscues from QB Ty Simpson including a "Pick 6" was converted into 14 points for the visiting Sooners.
Alabama has shown poise of grinding out road victories this season in the SEC at Missouri and South Carolina.
Not much needs to be said to the Tide players from coach Kalen DeBoer.
A 10 & 2 finish, a trip to the SEC championship and to move upward in the college football playoff standings says it all for Alabama Saturday evening,
The game will be carried live at 6:30 p.m. on WKUL FM (92.1).
Photo of Auburn QB's Deuce Knight (9), Jackson Arnold (11) and Ashton Daniels (12) in pregame before Auburn vs. Mercer at Pat Dye Field/Jordan Hare Stadium November 22.
Photo courtesy of Auburn football.
