I try not to mix football into my prayers, which I firmly believe that God would rather not hear me pray for Auburn to harness the His wrath to strike down their opponents down in the gridiron when there are starving people all over the world, wars in the Middle East, a worldwide decline in morality, etc… That’s why it has been a constant temptation this week when I pray for what I’m thankful for. While I’ve been infinitely blessed with a loving family, an education, all the opportunities in the world, being born in America where I am free to make my own decisions and the right to believe what I want to without persecution… but with the recent distractions created by Alabama’s unprecedented downward spiral in the back of my mind I keep thinking: “Lord, I’m so thankful that I’m an Auburn Tiger… and not a Bammer.” At that point, I start to pray for the Bammers the same way I pray for victims of natural disasters. I know, I obsess over football, it’s my weakness.

But this past week has been a distraction from the mission at hand. Everyone knows that you “throw the records out the window for the Iron Bowl” which is just as true this year as it has been the past 50 years. If we expect the same Bama that lost to MSU and ULM to come into the Iron Bowl and just roll (tide) over and die, we will have to start the count over from one next year. We should expect to see the same Bama team that dominated Tennessee and sent shockwaves through the SEC. Bama will come in and play infinitely better than they have the past several weeks, and it is our job not to reward such endeavors.

Also, this past week has wiped from our memory that we aren’t exactly coming off a hot win either. Two weeks ago, we resorted back to the Auburn that lost to South Florida and MSU earlier this season, playing only 10 minutes of AU football, and 50 minutes of AUM football the rest of the way; plagued with turnovers and busted coverages.

Alabama’s ridiculous losses have clouded our view of momentum going into this game, because Auburn pretty much has none going into this game… it’s just that Bama actually has negative momentum coming in, as if they were cursed. I’m not in any way suggesting that we are going to lose, I just don’t want Auburn to go into this game assuming this is going to be a blowout or that Bama won’t put up a fight. Here are some reasons we need to be worried:

1) Alabama is desperate. Expect a ton of trick plays and expect the defense to come out roaring. Auburn needs to be ready for the blitz right off the bat.

2) D.J. Hall. Auburn has lost 3 of their 4 games because they gave up the deep pass. LSU, South Florida and Georgia each would turn the game around whenever they wanted to by tossing it right over our heads.

3) We all know that Alabama is going to be called for next to zero penalties while the flags will be flying all over the place against Auburn. That’s just the way it is… I thought there would be more things to worry about…

Now for some things to find comfort in:

1) Auburn’s D-Line vs. Alabama’s O-Line. JPW’s teeth will be green from getting thrown on the turf so much. He will be under pressure the entire night, and likely will continue to make mistakes.

2) Saban vs. Tubs. Tubs is without a doubt the better coach. Tubs has a better record (this year AND vs. Saban), plus Tubs doesn’t lose to Sun Belt teams.

3) Welcome to the Jungle. I want Saban to hear what we think of him as soon as he prances onto the field (we don’t like him, right?). Jordan-Hare better be the loudest it has been all season for the entire game, Alabama can forget about trying to build any momentum, we want number 6!

4) Brandon Cox. It’s his last game at home, he’s going to put on a show. Our offensive line should be able to give him enough time to pick the Tide apart.

5) Returning starters: Tristan Davis and Craig Stevens are finally back. Auburn is apparently healthier than they’ve been the entire season, including the opener.

6) Charles Barkley said he’d throw a “Party of all parties” if Auburn wins. He said that Auburn winning is getting a little too redundant and he wants to spice things up. I disagree about it getting redundant, but I sure would like for Sir Charles to have a huge party. What kind of monsters are we to deprive him of such a privilege?

Auburn will win this game, but it won’t be as pretty as everyone is claiming it will be. Our running game will pull us through this game, and Brandon Cox will make plays when we need him to. Look for Auburn to try a couple of trick plays early, and if any of them connect it will be a long day for Alabama. Alabama will sprinkle trick plays throughout the entire game, some of which will connect, but not for touchdowns. Quentin Groves will break the record with a couple of sacks, but the favor will be returned as Cox goes down a couple of times. JPW will never really have the opportunity to get anything rolling, and Bama relies on the running game to move the ball, which Tray Blackmon and returning starter Craig Stevens put a quick end to. Auburn’s defense will get it done and Auburn’s offense will look good enough to get the job done in another close call against Bama. Auburn wins 18-10.

War Eagle.

E-mail Ryan at ryan@theauburner.com

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