Chizik will lead the Auburn Tigers against second-ranked Alabama on Friday. (Photo courtesy Auburn Unv. Athletics)

Combined Reports
(Nov. 25, 2009)

AUBURN – The Auburn football team went through an 80 minute practice Tuesday evening in preparation for Friday’s game against the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn noted the Tigers’ concentration during Tuesday’s practice, and overall this week.

"Our kids of have been extremely focused this week," Malzahn said. "You can tell we are a little fresher. The week off definitely helped us physically and mentally."

The Tigers will face an Alabama defense that enters the Iron Bowl allowing just 9.9 points per game, second best in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama is allowing a league-best 70.4 yards rushing and 154.6 yards passing per game, which is second best in the SEC.

"They (Alabama defense) have talent at every position," Malzahn said. "They’ve got a lot of speed and they play very physical. They are where they are supposed to be (in alignment). They make you earn everything. That’s our challenge as an offense, to be balanced and make some plays."

Auburn (7-4, 3-4 SEC) and No. 2 Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) kickoff at 1:30 p.m. CT, Friday, Nov. 27, from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. The game will be televised nationally by CBS.

Chizik will act as a head coach in his first Iron Bowl but he is well aware of the rivalry, going back to his days as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.

"Well I think anytime you’re playing a rivalry game, an in-state rivalry game, it has, potentially, and not every time, but it has potential to have a bearing on recruiting, obviously,” he said. “For us right now, we are trying to better ourselves for the best bowl game we can get to. We are already bowl eligible. Obviously, winning this game would get us a better bowl than if we didn’t win it. I still think there is a lot to play for and then just the fact that this game is not an obligation, it is a privilege to play in. Period.

“I want our guys to understand that they are going to be a part of something that is a privilege. That in itself right now is a huge motivation to play, in my opinion, along with the other things. Somebody is going to go down in the record books Friday. Somebody is going to do something that is going to go down in history and it will never be forgotten. Somebody on one side or the other. It happens every year. It is a privilege to be able to play in this game."

Auburn will entertain the second-ranked team in the country on Friday, a fact not lost on the Auburn coaching staff.

"Well, we have got our work cut out for us,” Chizik said. “It’s a great football team. We have had our moments when we have really played physical football and we have also had our moments when I thought we could have played more physical football. Alabama is a very physical team themselves. It will be a great challenge for us."

Chizik said the Tide will bring some of the best athletes the Tigers have faced this season with an idea of winning the national championship.

"They have very good players and they are very well-coached,” he said. “They are at the point in the season when obviously that’s their goal. They have gotten to the point where they are one of the teams that’s a viable option to play in that game. Are they a tremendously talented and good football team? Yes. I haven’t seen everybody else out there. I don’t know.

“I don’t know who to compare them to. I just know they are a very good football team. The rest of that will just have to play itself out and that’s just going to have to be the best answer. For me to really give you a good answer, not knowing and seeing everybody else, would be hard for me to do that."

Parking changes for Iron Bowl week

With the Iron Bowl on Friday after Thanksgiving, Auburn University has modified its game day plan in the interest of campus security and safety. The university will close the core of campus-the area bound by Samford Ave., Wire Rd., Magnolia Ave., and College St.-from 5 p.m. on Tuesday through 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Auburn and Alabama will kick off at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 1:30 p.m. CT on Friday. The game will be an “All Auburn, All Orange” event, as fans are encouraged to wear orange.

Other changes for Iron Bowl week include:

No tailgate sites may be reserved in any manner until 6 a.m. Thursday. Individuals and groups will not be permitted to loiter or sit on campus to reserve a preferred site until this time. Tape, rope, chairs, small tents and any other site markings placed prior to Thursday will be removed.

RV early arrival time on campus will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. Arrival will be regulated and parking restrictions will be enforced. More information about game day at Auburn, including a campus map, can be found at www.auburn.edu/gameday or www.auburntigers.com. For additional information on hotels, restaurants and shopping in the Auburn-Opelika area, please visit www.ironbowlthanksgiving.com.