Alabama ready to end streaks

TUSCALOOSA — This year’s Iron Bowl isn’t about what comes next. It isn’t about what’s already happened, either.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban said today’s game against Auburn “is like having a one-game season.”

“It’s all about this game. It’s all about Alabama and Auburn,” Saban said. “It’s not about where you’re ranked or what you’re record is or any BCS or any of that stuff.

“It’s really about this game and this week.”

For the players and coaches, that’s true. But fans of both schools can count. They know Alabama hasn’t beaten Auburn since 2001 — and has never defeated the Tigers in Tuscaloosa.

They know what’s at stake for the Crimson Tide, which is 11-0 and ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings. The last time an Alabama team was No. 1 going into the Auburn game was 1979.

But what matters today, Saban said, is execution — not trying to end a six-game losing streak in this series.

“If someone can prove to me that what happened in the last six years is going to have any effect on this game, then we’ll talk about it,” the coach said. “Otherwise, I think it’s pointless.”

Linebacker Cory Reamer said he could not remember the last time that Alabama beat Auburn.

“The losses have been burned into my head since I’ve been a part of it,” said Reamer, who added that execution is the key. “It’s always going to come down to
who plays the hardest and who executes the most. Both teams want it just as equally as the other.”

Saban said it’s obviously not just another game.

“I think it’s a great rivalry. It’s something that we have a tremendous amount of respect for,” the coach said. “These are two good teams and two good programs. A lot of the players know each other. It’s a game that’s about the players, and hopefully we can get our team in a position to play excellent football.”

Alabama is favored by more than two touchdowns in a series that has been decided by 10 points or fewer each of the last six years — and 17 of the past 20.

Senior center Antoine Caldwell was asked what needs to happen for the Crimson Tide to prevail.

“Not anything that we haven’t done already,” said the senior from Montgomery. “We’re going to have to dominate the line of scrimmage, which we’ve pretty much done all season.”

That could be more difficult today. Auburn (5-6) is excellent up front.

“They’ve got a good defensive line, especially Sen’Derrick Marks,” Caldwell said. “He’s one of the best ones, not only in the conference, but in the country. They play well together.”

Caldwell said Alabama’s challenge will be establishing control of the game quickly.

“They’ve pretty much dominated this rivalry for a while in every area of the game,” Caldwell said. “So we’re going to have to go out there Saturday and realistically try to change their mindset. Because they’re going to try to come in and feel like, ‘Same ol’ Alabama, we can do what we’ve been doing and win this ballgame.’ So it’s going to be important for us to start fast.”

Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson said he’s impressed with Auburn’s defense on tape.

“I think their secondary is probably the best we’ve played,” Wilson said. “I think up front they’re very physical. We’re a physical offense. They’re a physical defense. They’re going to fly to the ball. They’re a very good defense. … They don’t do a lot of things, but what they do they do extremely well.”

Alabama safety Rashad Johnson said the Crimson Tide must be disciplined against an Auburn offense that has struggled.

“You’re going to have to be able to control yourself and not let your emotions get in the way,” Johnson said. “Coach mentioned we don’t have to do anything extra this week. We’re just going to go out and play our game.”

Johnson, a senior, said he wants to make the most of his last chance to beat Auburn. He doesn’t want that “never beat Auburn” label hanging over his head years from now.

“It would definitely be a bad memory and a bad thought that you have to bring up to someone,” Johnson said. “That’s a lot of motivation to us as seniors. A lot of the young guys see us motivated that way and they’re going to do everything they can to help us and not let that happen.”

Wilson doesn’t seem motivated by that negative thought. The quarterback said he’s aware just how close to the end of his Alabama career he is.

“The later it’s gotten in the season, the more and more I’ve realized that this is the last go-around,” Wilson said. “I’m just trying to take in everything I can and trying to enjoy the moment. Everybody says it goes by like that, and it really does.”

College careers — and one-game seasons — will do that.