Tide’s Wilson a steady influence

TUSCALOOSA — The scars have healed. What didn’t kill John Parker Wilson made him stronger.

And wiser.

Wilson was a .500 quarterback through two-plus years as Alabama’s starter. But he comes into his final Iron Bowl on Saturday as the quarterback of the top-ranked team in the country.

Alabama is expected to snap a six-game losing streak to 5-6 Auburn. Its senior quarterback is a key factor in that forecast.

Wilson is the Crimson Tide’s career leader in completions, attempts, total yards, passing yards, passing touchdowns and total plays.

This season, Wilson has dialed down the passing numbers for a ground-oriented attack that has taken advantage of Alabama’s offensive line and talented running backs. He is throwing an average of 13 fewer passes per game than last season. He has thrown eight touchdown passes to five interceptions in 2008.

Because of the differences in offensive schemes, comparing Auburn’s Kodi Burns to Wilson is an apples-to-oranges proposition. However, Burns has thrown two touchdowns passes and seven interceptions this season. He also has started career seven games to Wilson’s 37.

“Well, I don’t think there’s any comparison between the quarterbacks in the game,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday. “I think that John Parker’s experience — not just in this particular game but in all the games that he’s played — has been something that has been a benefit to us throughout the year.”

Wilson’s pass efficiency rating is 124.80, a number that ranks him 58th in the country. Burns’ efficiency rating of 100.2 has him 100th in the nation.

Passing is only part of what either quarter is asked to do for his offense. Saban said Wilson’s game management skills have served this team well.

“I think his decision making, his judgment, the leadership that he shows, the poise that he’s shown in difficult, critical situations throughout the year, comes from knowledge and experience,” the coach said. “And I think that’s been a real benefit to our team and to John Parker this year.”

As one-sided as the quarterback evaluation is, Burns and Wilson are tied in this category: neither has won an Iron Bowl.
“We’ve got a chance to go out and do something that not anybody has done here in a long time,” Wilson said.

“Coach Saban said we’ve got a one-game season. And we know everything that’s involved in this game, guys that we grew up with and played against. ... It’s an in-state rival. That’s why it’s so big.”

But the series has been frustrating for Wilson to this point. His career numbers against Auburn are 33-for-63 for 393 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions and four sacks, including two fumbles by Wilson that led to two Auburn touchdowns in the 2006 defeat.

In fact, while Alabama’s offensive line is supposed to control the line of scrimmage, Wilson has plenty of respect for the Tigers’ defensive front.

“We’ve got a good offensive line, but they’re got some firebreathers up front, too — some guys who can definitely make some plays,” 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 don’t do a lot of things, but what they do they do extremely well.”

Alabama’s improved running game should take away some of the heat Wilson has absorbed from the Auburn defense.

“As (the season) has gone, I think we’ve been able to establish that run,” Wilson said. “That keeps the ball on our side, keeps our defensive guys rested. It helps everything out. The throwing game has been there when it needs to be. So we’re going to keep that formula and hopefully it works.”

Wilson was asked if he could empathize with Burns, preparing for his first Iron Bowl start against a heavy favorite.
“You can make it bigger than it is,” Wilson said. “For me and I know for our team this year, it’s the last game of the regular season. We’ve done what we need to so far. It’s just carrying it over now.”

But he said he wants to snap this skid and beat Auburn for the first time.

“It would be big. We’ve said that all year. ... It’s a big game. It’s a huge game,” Wilson said. “It’s the biggest game we’ve played of the season. So we’re going to take the same approach we’ve taken all year for every other game. It’s going to be nothing more than that.”