Nick Saban assesses challenges of stopping Auburn's running game

Nick Saban knows the challenge at hand when Alabama takes on Auburn this week. The Tigers bring the No. 6 rushing offense in the country into the matchup, headlined by running back Tank Bigsby.

That’s why the Crimson Tide have to try to control the line of scrimmage.

Saban addressed the challenge of stopping Auburn’s rushing attack during his press conference Wednesday. That’s been a big part of the Tigers’ three games under interim head coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams as they totaled 778 yards on the ground over that span, which accounts for 36% of the Tigers’ total rushing yards this year.

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“They’re playing really well,” Saban said. “They do a great job of running the ball. They’ve really got good schemes. They’ve got good players, good backs. Their quarterback’s a good runner, so he kind of adds to that, as well. I still think they’re very capable throwing the ball. But they have played and tried to win on the line of scrimmage and have been pretty effective doing it these last couple games.”

But it’s not just the ability to run the ball that makes Auburn so tough to defend. It’s also how the Tigers line up on offense, and that’s why Saban wants the defense to be ready for whatever Auburn throws at them on Saturday afternoon.

“They play a lot of different personnel groups,” Saban said. “Most of the time, we play against three wide receivers and a tight end, sometimes four wide receivers. They do have three wide receiver formation, but they play a lot of tight ends and they play a lot of personnel groups.

“You’ve got to try to match that as much as you can. But they do a very good job using formations to try to create advantages for them. You’ve got to be able to adjust to all those things, as well.”

Nick Saban provides key Crimson Tide injury updates ahead of Iron Bowl

Alabama is set to wrap up the regular season on Saturday in the annual Iron Bowl on Saturday, and coach Nick Saban provided several key Crimson Tide injury updates ahead of the big rivalry showdown.

Saban was first asked about left tackle Tyler Steen, who left the team’s game against Austin Peay on Saturday and did not return.

“Yeah, he’s practiced,” Saban said. “He’s practiced.”