re: Alabama vs Auburn In-Depth Match-Ups

Now for Auburn's offense vs Alabama's defense.

Auburn Offense vs Alabama Defense
Yards Per Play 20th vs 1st
Total Offense 17th vs 1st
Points Per Game[b] 17th vs 1st

Auburn's offense ranks fairly well in the total stats, but they face a juggernaut of a defense.

[b]Rush YPC 26th vs 1st
Rush YPG 18th vs 2nd

While Kerryon Johnson is a fantastic running back, and Auburn does run the ball often, surprisingly they rank higher in passing per play statistics. Alabama's offensive identity for years has been stopping the run, so it will be interesting to see how Auburn does against that.

Pass YPA 8th vs 1st
Pass Efficiency 8th vs 1st
Pass YPG 62nd vs 3rd

Stidham has proven when he is given the chance to throw, he can be very dangerous. Auburn does not pass the ball very often, however. Most teams have to have a highly efficient passing game to contend with Alabama, so it will be interesting to see that battle.

3rd Down Conversions 18th vs 15th
Tackles For Loss Allowed/ Game 77th vs 34th
Sacks Allowed/ Game 88th vs 21st

Auburn's offense is pretty good at converting third downs, and Alabama's defense is right there. Auburn's offense has been plagued with negative plays. It is likely that this stat is inflated due to the catastrophic performance against Clemson early in the season, and that Auburn has improved in this stat since then. Alabama's defense is a very different style this season compared to last year, and does not have quite the same aggressiveness with forcing negative plays and terrorizing quarterbacks in the backfield. Alabama will need to try to get after Stidham though.