Alabama-Auburn Preview Capsule
No. 2 Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC, No. 2 CFP) at Auburn (6-5, 2-5), 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Line: Alabama by 14.
Series Record: Alabama leads 43-35-1.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Crimson Tide can secure a spot in the SEC championship game against No. 10 Florida with a win or a Mississippi loss to Mississippi State. The Tigers can upgrade their bowl prospects and finish a disappointing regular season on a high note.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn's offense against Alabama's defensive front seven. The Tigers still have one of the SEC's more productive running games but they've attempted fewer passes than every other team in the league except LSU, which has played one less game. The Tide counters with a deep, talented front group that's shut down LSU's Leonard Fournette and is giving up just 77.8 rushing yards per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: RB Derrick Henry. The Heisman Trophy candidate takes on a defense that was abused for 228 yards and three touchdowns by Fournette early in the season. Henry's already tied Trent Richardson's school record with 21 touchdown runs and has averaged 198 yards over the last four SEC games.
Auburn: QB Jeremy Johnson. He's started the last three games since Sean White sustained a knee injury. It's not clear who would start even if White is healthy but Johnson hasn't been as mistake-prone lately after getting benched early in the season. He (or White) is facing a defense that ranks third nationally in sacks and has returned four interceptions for touchdowns.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Tide is seeking its seventh 11-plus win season under coach Nick Saban. ... Alabama has beaten 59 consecutive unranked opponents. The last loss came to Auburn in 2007, Saban's first season. ... Alabama won the highest scoring Iron Bowl 55-44 last season, erasing a 12-point deficit in the second half. ... Auburn is 15-7 when the Iron Bowl is played on either campus, including a 7-3 mark at Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium. ... Auburn K Daniel Carlson has a school-record string of 14 consecutive made field goals, including a pair of 52-yarders. Alabama is holding opponents to an average of 151.7 rushing yards fewer than their season average entering the game.