A Game for the Ages

Though the luster for this game is not as bright as it could have been had Alabama beaten LSU, one cannot take away from the fact that this Alabama-Auburn game is HUGE. For the first time in my life time at least (22 years, 23 football seasons), both teams will be ranked in the top ten. # 10 Alabama (9-2,5-2)  will host #2 Auburn (11-0,7-0) at Bryant-Denny Stadium one week from today. As a matter of fact, in exactly one week, we will have the new Iron Bowl champion (though this is not the Iron Bowl any more). Each year, I try to dissect this game objectively, which is hard to do. But here goes.

Position Advantages
Coaching - Alabama, though Auburn is earning its stripes this year
Quarterback - Auburn, though Alabama's QB is undefeated at home and has a national title ring
Running backs - even. Talent wise, Alabama is better, but the scheme for Auburn makes theirs just as effective
Offensive Line - Auburn. Alabama is solid, but there may not be a better line in the country than the veteran group on the Plains
Wide Receivers - Even. same situation as running backs
Defensive Line- Alabama gets the slight edge against the run, but Auburn's pass rush is much, much better
Linebackers -  Alabama
Defensive Backs - Alabama, though both groups are the weakest link of their respective teams. Alabama's are better coached.
Punter - even
Kicker - Auburn. By far. Experience helps here.
Intangibles - This one is interesting. Cam Newton has alot going on right now, at least from a perception standpoint. Alabama is nearly unbeatable at home. Auburn is trying to go undefeated in a season that actually means something for them. It's senior day in Tuscaloosa. I'm not sure who this goes to, but my gut feeling is Alabama has the intangibles advantage.
This one is tough to put my finger on in terms of who wins. Alabama is still waiting to play a complete game this year. Auburn has yet to play a tough road game this year. It's a rivalry game; they say throw the records out the window for games like this, but don't- the records are very much what makes this game this year SPECIAL. The two teams that beat Alabama lost to Auburn by a touchdown in Auburn. This game is going to come down to the fourth quarter, and who's defense can get off the field on third down. If this was in Auburn, I would say this game is easily Auburn's. But its in Tuscaloosa, and Alabama's defense has played much better at home this year.
My prediction is this: If Alabama cold hold Cam to under 150 yards and cause two turnovers, and they don't turn it over more than once, they will win, 34-31. If they are unable to stop Cam on the ground, they will lose, and it won't be pretty, at least to watch. It will in the 24-38 range. Having said this, I think it will be somewhere in between. Look for this game to be in the high 20's to low 30's. I feel like Alabama, on senior day, will find its focus and pull out an epic win over a very good Auburn team.
ALABAMA 34 AUBURN 31