The end of November around the state of Alabama usually ushers in the first blast of chilly weather, Thanksgiving and the big game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers.

While top ranked Alabama already has a trip to the SEC Championship Game sewed up, Auburn is looking to spoil the Crimson Tide’s perfect season.

Alabama leads the all-time series 44-35-1. Discover the three things you need to know about the Auburn Tigers.

 

Stout Rushing Defense

Auburn’s improvement since the beginning of the season starts with their rushing defense. The Tigers rank third in the SEC and 17th nationally allowing 117.7 yards per game on the ground. Over their past seven games, the Tigers have surrendered only 89.6 rushing yards per game.

Auburn’s rush defense has yielded just four rushing touchdowns this season which is tied for second in college football, and they have not given up a rushing touchdown in their last eight games.

 

Carl Lawson

A big reason why Auburn has one of the best defensive fronts in college football is due to the play of Carl Lawson. The junior defensive lineman is a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award. He leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks this season. His 9 sacks through 11 games is the most for an Auburn defender since 1997.

Lawson helped the Tigers to a six-game winning streak by recording 7.5 sacks during the streak.

 

Placekicking U

Over the last 35 years, kickers such as Al Del Greco, Rob Bironas and Cody Parkey played in the NFL after having successful stints at Auburn while Damon Duval starred in the Canadian Football League.

Another star kicker has emerged for the Tigers. Junior Daniel Carlson is a finalist for the Lou Groza Award as he has played a pivotal role in their 8-3 record season. Carlson tied an SEC record with six field goals in an 18-13 victory over LSU earlier this season and holds Auburn’s all-time career field goal percentage record (.829). He needs two field goals to set the new school record for field goals in a season which he set last season. So far this year, Carlson has converted 22 of his 25 field goal attempts including 8 of 10 successful conversions from 40 yards or more. In addition to the field goals, he has made 140 straight PATs and

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