Alabama’s offensive keys to victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl
Nick Saban and the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide will look to keep their very slim playoff chances alive on Saturday when they take on their arch-rivals in the Auburn Tigers.
While it’s not likely that Alabama makes the playoff, winning 10 regular season games would be a great accomplishment for the program because that would mark the 12th consecutive season of reaching that win total in the regular season.
Although Auburn only has five wins on the season, the Tigers are playing their tails off for interim head coach Carnell Cadillac Williams and this will not be an easy matchup for the Tide.
Bill O'Brien, Bryce Young, and the rest of the Alabama offense will need to play a clean game on Saturday to avoid the monumental upset of the Tigers.
Here are the keys to victory for the Alabama offense on Saturday:
The health of Jahmyr Gibbs
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel
The health of running back [autotag]Jahmry Gibbs[/autotag] will be important for the Tide offense heading into Saturday’s matchup. Having Gibbs back in the lineup provides another explosive option both in the running game and in the passing game.
Keep feeding Jase McClellan
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Even if Jahmyr Gibbs is back it shouldn’t limit the number of touches that [autotag]Jase McClellan[/autotag] receives. McClellan has proved to be Alabama’s most consistent in-between-the-tackles runner and could really eat some yards up against a vulnerable Tiger rush defense.
Find Cameron Latu in the redzone
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Like Gibbs, [autotag]Cameron Latu[/autotag] sat out last week with an injury but has been back at practice this week and should be available for tomorrow’s contest. Latu is one of Alabama’s best targets inside the red zone and could play an important role in finishing off drives the right way.
Hit some deep shots in the passing game
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama’s homerun ball in the passing game has just not been there this season. Partly because the Tide doesn’t have a Jameson Williams on the roster, but also because Young has been nursing a shoulder injury since early October. Hitting a deep shot or two on Saturday would be significant for this Alabama offense.
Keep Bryce Young clean
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
This is possibly the last game that Alabama fans will enjoy the splendor that is Bryce Young. The Alabama offensive line did not do a good job of keeping Young upright against Auburn last season and will need to play much better this time around.
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