The keys to victory for Alabama

The Iron Bowl kicks today at 2:30pm on CBS and the Tide is a heavy favorite to win, but this is the Iron Bowl and you can expect to see the un-expected. Alabama should win the game, but there is at least 3 key parts of the game that the Tide will need to control in order to assure success.

Key 1: Get off the field
In Alabama’s last two SEC games the Tide has struggled to get off the field on 3rd down. LSU exposed a weakness in Alabama’s secondary and Texas A&M was able to further exploit it. Alabama spent a lot of the Western Carolina game working on its secondary getting DB Geno Smith a ton of reps. If Alabama wants to regain the success they enjoyed earlier in the season then the defense will have to get stops on 3rd down.

Key 2: Pound the ball
Alabama is best when they play Alabama football. It’s easy to look back on the Texas A&M game and say they needed to run the ball more, but it’s true, Alabama needs to pound the ball. Auburn has a good defensive line, but the Tide will need to find success running the ball and wearing down the Tiger’s front 7.

Key 3: Win the turnover battle
In the LSU and A&M games Alabama was -5 in turnovers and the turnovers was one the key reason they struggled. Alabama is still doing good overall on the season at +12, but turnovers can allow an underdog like Auburn to get back in the game.

Alabama Tonight Sports Blogger - Patrick Pierce @Patrickp13