GAME NOTES: The "Iron Bowl" will be played in Tuscaloosa this weekend, as top- ranked Alabama will host Auburn in the annual SEC rivalry game.

The Tigers have won the last six meetings with the Crimson Tide, the second- longest run by either team in the series. Seventeen of the last 20 meetings in the series have been decided by 10 points or less, including the last six in a row. Remarkably, Auburn has never lost in Tuscaloosa, owning a 6-0 record. Clearly, however, Alabama enter's this year's showdown as an obvious favorite.

Not much has gone right for Auburn, which is 5-6 overall and 2-5 against SEC competition. The Tigers have lost five of their last six games, including a 17-13 setback to Georgia two weeks ago. Auburn was idle last weekend, giving the team two weeks to prepare for the Tide.

The same can't be said of Alabama, however, as its last outing was a 32-7 romp over Mississippi State on November 15th. No one expected Nick Saban to turn around the 'Bama program this quickly, but he is on the verge of completing an undefeated regular season. Regardless of the outcome of this weekend's tilt, the Crimson Tide will take on red-hot Florida in the SEC title game. Alabama has a 12-game winning streak dating back to last season, the longest for the program since 1994.

In regard to the overall series between these rivals, Alabama holds a 38-33-1 series lead over Auburn.

Auburn got a couple of big plays from its offense against Georgia last time out, as Mario Fannin scored on a 52-yard pass play and a 35-yard run. Unfortunately, the Tigers finished that tilt with only 13 points and 303 total yards. The ground attack accounted for a mere 3.4 ypc, and aside from those big plays made by Fannin, the offense was rather quiet.

Overall this season, Auburn is generating only 18.9 ppg, an unacceptable output for the proud program. The list of big-time NFL running backs that have passed through Auburn is truly impressive, including the likes of Bo Jackson, Rudi Johnson and Ronnie Brown. Therefore, it is hard to believe that the club is generating just 3.6 rushing yards per carry this season. Quarterback Kodi Burns has rushed for 405 yards and five touchdowns, but he has just two touchdowns against seven interceptions as a passer.

The fact that Auburn limited Georgia to 17 points suggests that the Tigers' defensive unit played well enough to win the game. Sure, Auburn only came up with one takeaway and failed to register a sack in the tilt, but the Tigers permitted only 3-of-11 third down conversion attempts to be successful and allowed the Bulldogs to keep possession of the ball for barely over five minutes in the fourth quarter.

Auburn has not allowed an offensive touchdown in the first quarter all season, outscoring its opponents 63-13 in the quarter. The Tigers rank second in the nation is rushing touchdowns allowed, surrendering just four all season. They also rank third nationally in opponents' third-down conversion percentage (27.6 percent) and 10th in scoring defense, allowing just 16.4 ppg. Antonio Coleman leads Auburn with six sacks, and Josh Bynes is tops with three interceptions. "It's a game that we all come here for," said safety Zac Etheridge, looking forward to this weekend's tilt. "I believe that we are going to give our best game for the Iron Bowl. We're going to step up and answer the challenge."

Alabama is averaging 31.7 ppg, and while the team's 367.1 total ypg isn't overly impressive, the offense does rely heavily on the run, which eats up clock and can keep the score down. The Crimson Tide are racking up 198.5 ypg on the ground, and 27 of their 35 offensive touchdowns have been of the rushing variety. Glen Coffee leads the squad with 1,091 yards on the ground, and he has scored eight touchdowns while averaging 6.1 ypc. Mark Ingram checks in with nine rushing scores and 617 yards, and the duo may be the best in the SEC. Quarterback John Parker Wilson isn't much of a running threat, but he does have five rushing touchdowns to his credit. As a passer, he has connected on 59.1 percent of his attempts for 1,775 yards and eight touchdowns against five interceptions. Freshman Julio Jones leads the receivers with 43 catches for 687 yards and four touchdowns.

Against Mississippi State two weeks ago, both Ingram and Wilson scored on one- yard runs. Leigh Tiffin hit three field goals for the Tide, and Javier Arenas helped the club with an 80-yard punt return for a score. Ingram and Coffee combined for 149 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. "It makes our job so much easier when you have backs like Mark (Ingram) and Glen (Coffee) who can stick it in there and wear down the defense," said center Antoine Caldwell. "They did a great job tonight."

While the Alabama offense has been good this season, there is no doubt that the defense is the strength of the team. Opponents are scoring only 12.5 ppg against the Tide, who are yielding a mere 255.6 total ypg. Alabama has been tremendous against the run, permitting just 75.1 ypg and 2.8 ypc. The pass defense has generated 15 interceptions and allowed a modest 10.2 yards per pass completion. Opponents are making good on just 25 percent of their third down conversion attempts, a credit to the Tide. Rolando McClain paces the Tide with 77 total tackles, 10 of which has resulted in lost yardage. Rashad Johnson, who is second in tackles, leads the team with five interceptions.

"We came in and knew we had to stop the run," said Johnson after the most recent outing against Mississippi State. "We did a good job of stopping the run and forcing them to pass." The Bulldogs finished with 35 rushing yards on 22 attempts against the Tide. Also, MSU was only able to complete 11-of-28 passes.

Alabama will halt its losing streak against Auburn in this rivalry game. A solid running attack and strong defense will once again be the keys to success for the Tide.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Alabama 27, Auburn 13