Alabama @ Auburn preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2010 ) Auburn 28, Alabama 27

THE STORY: After winning a National Championship last season, Auburn has taken a bit of a step back in 2011. Still, Tigers fans will see the season as a great success if they can find a way to knock rival Alabama out of the BCS title game. Things are lined up perfectly for the Crimson Tide, who will are ranked second in the BCS standings and will likely lock up their spot in the National Championship Game with a win in the 76th Iron Bowl at Auburn on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide came up just short, 28-27, in th Iron Bowl last season, surrendering a 24-point lead at home. This year’s edition of the Alabama defense is not likely to repeat that letdown. The Tigers are yielding more points than they have scored overall but still managed to be bowl eligible.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Alabama -20.5

ABOUT ALABAMA (10-1, 6-1 SEC): The Crimson Tide have spent the season shutting down everyone in their path, allowing an average of 8.4 points while leading the nation in both scoring and total defense. It came as a bit of a surprise last week when FCS school Georgia Southern rushed for 302 yards and scored a season-high 21 points against the Alabama defense. Trent Richardson made sure the Crimson Tide would not suffer an historic upset, padding his Heisman resume with 175 yards and three total touchdowns.

ABOUT AUBURN (7-4, 4-3): The Tigers have gotten crushed by the other top teams in the SEC this season, losing by a combined 128-31 to Arkansas, LSU and Georgia. Sophomore Clint Moseley has replaced junior Barrett Trotter at quarterback in the last four games and has had some success, throwing five touchdowns against two interceptions. His 167 yards in last week’s 35-16 win over Samford marked a career high.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Richardson broke the Alabama record with his 20th rushing touchdown last week. He is three behind Tim Tebow’s SEC mark.

2. Alabama’s seniors have won a school-record 46 games.

3. The visiting team has won eight of the last 12 Iron Bowls, and 19 of the last 23 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less.

PREDICTION: Alabama 28, Auburn 10. The Crimson Tide defense will not have a problem with Moseley and the Tigers offense.