Spotlight game: No. 2 Alabama at Auburn

Thu, Nov 26, 2009

Place: Auburn, Ala.
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET, Friday
TV: CBS
Line: Alabama by 10 1/2

Three reasons Alabama will win

Mark Ingram: The man who could win the Tide’s first Heisman Trophy has showed remarkable consistency over the past two months. Since October dawned, he has gained 100 or more yards in six of seven games; Tennessee held him to 99. “I don’t think anybody’s really stopped Mark all year,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said on a teleconference. With its continued passing struggles, Alabama will lean on Ingram in this big spot. And with the Tigers ranked No. 88 in the nation versus the run, the sophomore could enjoy a banner day.

On just about any other team, Terrence Cody would be the man on defense. That’s how stacked Alabama is.
Best defense: The fun part of this discussion is who ranks as the Tide’s best player. Terrence Cody, who might tip 400 pounds after a hearty Thanksgiving feast, ranks among the nation’s most disruptive defensive tackles. Rolando McClain is a lock for the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. Safety Javier Arenas lurks in the back. The Tide allow 225.2 yards per game, best in the country, and 9.91 points per game, second-best in the land (to Florida). Good luck, Tigers.