Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - Since their 26-14 win over Alabama, the Tigers have moved to number four in the latest AP Poll.
Auburn has been able to upset two number one teams in the past three weeks to win 5 straight.
With one more game standing in the way of a probable CFB Playoff appearance, the Tigers a poised to make a statement.
Here are my 5 takeaways from Auburn's dominating performance over Alabama:
1) Contained the running QB
Jalen Hurts is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and coming into the game, he was a major threat.
Granted, he accounted for all but 109 yards for the Tide, Auburn was able to keep his playmaking ability to a minimum.
The Tiger defense had a pretty quiet night when it came to pressuring Hurts in the backfield ending the night with 2 sacks.
But the sheer fact Auburn was able to pressure Hurts 9 times on the night and limit him to just one total touchdown is a major win.
Hurts is the best quarterback the Tigers have faced so far this season, and unless they face Oklahoma, probably the best they will play against.
As the Tigers approach a rematch with Georgia, it is a great sign to see that the Auburn defense is able to stop top notch quarterbacks week in and week out.
2) Kerryon is a 3 position player
Kerryon Johnson is still one of the best players in the country, and should defiantly be in Heisman consideration following his performance against Alabama considering he was a threat in 3 different aspects of the game.
Johnson was a running threat, receiving
Mood.. pic.twitter.com/grt8AGkkey
— Kerryon Johnson (@AyeyoKEJO) November 26, 2017
His 3-yard touchdown pass to Nate Craig-Myers defiantly took me by surprise but showed he is one of the best all-around athletes in the country.
“We had a little bit different look with that play this time," said head coach Gus Malzahn on the touchdown. "It was a play that Chip (Lindsey) had been saving now for a few weeks and it was well executed for sure.”
Now, Johnson did go down in the fourth quarter, a bad sign going into the SEC Championship game, however, I fully expect Johnson to try to tough it out for the Tigers.
If Johnson can go, he will be even more of a threat against Georgia.
And considering he almost totally annihilated them in their last match-up, I can see him blowing the Bulldogs out of the water for the second time.
3) Stidham can carry the offense
The running game was not a strong point for Auburn against Alabama finishing the night with 168 total rushing yards.
I mean, if I was Alabama, I would have done the same thing: stop the run at all costs.
However, Jarrett Stidham stepped up when Kerryon could not in order to move the ball.
Stidham used his feet and arm all night to make the Alabama defense look silly.
Hey @ColinCowherd remember when I told you Jarrett Stidham wasn’t good enough to win this game? I was wrong. He has been incredible today.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 25, 2017
It would also be
"In the red zone, he made a great run and got in the end zone," Malzahn said on the touchdown. "When he runs enough, it can really open things up.”
In the end, Stidham would account for 60 rushing yards and 237 passing yards.
For a quarterback who is not known to use the quarterback draw, he certainly made a
If Stidham can continue to move the ball like he did against Alabama, I can’t see any team stopping the Auburn offense without totally shutting down the running game AND passing game.
4) The Tigers aren't afraid
Well if you didn’t hear by now, Charles Barkley was the only person on College Gameday to pick Auburn in the upset.
Barkley, although an Auburn alum, knew the Tigers wouldn’t back down from Alabama.
And that they didn’t. Alabama has had a certain intimidation factor for the past decade and this year, Auburn didn’t buy into it.
The Tigers never once played afraid or played to lose.
So proud of @AuburnFootball @CoachGusMalzahn This is our time!
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) November 26, 2017
Auburn played to win the entire night, forcing Alabama to make countless errors.
The Tide isn’t known to make mistakes, but Auburn certainly made them make them in critical moments.
The fact Auburn didn’t play afraid once against Alabama is a great sign moving forward. If Auburn can keep that same mindset, I see no team standing in their
5) Auburn fans are the best fans
If you are an Auburn fan you already thought this, but after the Iron Bowl
Tiger fans kept Jordan-Hare rocking all night, and it was probably the loudest stadium
Auburn fans just annihilating these shrubs #IronBowl pic.twitter.com/LBQLByLJnk
— Spencer Howle (@STHowle) November 26, 2017
From kickoff to storming the field, Auburn fans were never quiet, which I think helped the Tigers knock off the Tide by more than 10 points.
"Our crowd was unbelievable," said Malzahn. "That’s two big games in a row our they’ve helped us win."
Sadly, the Iron Bowl was the last home-field advantage the Tigers will have for the rest of the season.
Does it get any better than Christmas in Auburn? @DrunkAubie @WarBlogle @AUFAMILY pic.twitter.com/lge1BMc7hX
— AUBURN FANS (@CrazyAuburnFans) November 26, 2017
But
