re: Iron Bowls involving two ranked teams

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Yes, the best Auburn team in 60 years if not ever.

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BS. The 2004 team would have throttled the 2010 team.

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The 2004 team would have throttled the 2010 team.

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Throttled? Come on

I mean at worst 2004 goes up 27-17 in the 3rd and Tubs runs the ball 26 straight times

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ETA Arky scored 20 and bama scored 28. Those are the only two who got out of the teens.

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We sure as hell didn't score 28. Spencer Pennington couldn't score 28 points on an empty field with no clock.

Edit. Forgot about the SEC title rematch.

Well they did score 10 in the Knoxville.

But clearly I care as much as you do about being wrong a game score from 16 years ago.

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So like I said, it's rare.

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It’s a small sample size at BDS anyway. 10 games total since stopped playing at Legion Field. 5-5 in those 10 games.

You jumped into a convo you shouldn't have. So apparently you cared to a certain extent.

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ETA nonetheless, 2004 was superior in every way except QB.

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2004 was a way weaker SEC than 2010. Not sure you can directly compare the two, considering who 2010 Auburn had to beat comparatively.

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Gonna call bull shite on this one here.

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Yea, most of us who aren't insane homers had no idea what to expect at Auburn last year. We were concerned about our defense and had literally zero expectations for Mac.

I didn't expect to have that much success on offense, but I also didn't expect to throw 2 pick 6s. So those kind of equaled out I guess.

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Auburn will cover +24. With or without Tank.

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I think Tank is the difference. If he is healthy and ready to play, I think the game will follow the usual script and stay close for a half.

Statistically, Auburn is really weighted down from those first two games when the offense struggled and Tank was not a big part of the gameplan.

In the first 2 games (UK & UGA), Tank averaged just 7 carries for 23 yards/game..... as a result, the Auburn O struggled. They averaged just 3.97 total yards/play and only 15.5 first downs per game.

In the next 4 games (ARK, SC, OM, LSU), Tank averaged 19 carriers for 114 yards/game..... as a result, the Auburn O found its identity and averaged 6.26 total yards/play and just under 22 first downs per game.

Then of course Bigsby was injured early against UT (3 carries for 24 yards) and the Auburn offense once again seemed to struggle. It was the first time since playing UGA in which the Auburn offense produced fewer first downs than its opponent.

From what I can tell, the Auburn offense hinges on two main things:

1. Tank needs to play and he needs at least 20 touches
2. Bo Nix has to play a near error-free game with zero interceptions.

In that loss to South Carolina, Auburn outgained the Gamecocks 481-297 in total yards. They averaged 1.37 more yards per play. The reason they lost was Bo Nix threw 3 interceptions and they got away from running the ball. Nix threw 47 passes. He should never throw that many times in a game.... and Tank only had 16 runs.

I think Bama's defense is good, but they definitely have given up chunks of yards at times. For Auburn to have a shot, they need Tank healthy and he needs around 25 carries. Nix needs to stick to around 30 total passes and he can't afford an interception. If they are able to stay inside those parameters, I think it could stay a close game going into the 4th quarter.

But too many times Nix makes very costly mistakes, especially in big games. And that's why I have my doubts that they'll be able to achieve that type of mix.

And if Tank can't play, I really don't see any way Auburn can keep up.