Crimson Red Sports

Fortunately for Alabama, Auburn provides plenty of motivation all by itself. Alabama players are desirous of a chance to atone for last year’s second-half meltdown that paved the way for the Tigers to win a national championship. And although this game will be played on Auburn’s home turf, Alabama comes into the game with a decidedly stronger resume – even though Alabama has plenty of injury concerns to overcome.

Each team has reportedly been preparing for the other for months, so it would be a surprise to few people if this game came out vintage UA-AU: a lead that changes hands frequently, hard-hitting defense and a critical play late in the game that decides the outcome. But given Auburn’s struggles on defense, few would be surprised by an Alabama blowout, either.