quote:Originally posted by Tideup:
Bama had a slight lean on the Defensive numbers and played against better teams, finishing out the season against the #1 and #2 team in the land. Auburn did not have to face the tough competition that Bama did this past year from a ranking standpoint. Offensively, Bama had edge in TOP and they averaged the same scoring ppg. Bama had an edge in the running game as well, as both Ingram and Richardson had better numbers than Williams and Brown in 04. Campbell had slightly more yards, but also more INT's. It would be a tight game, but Bama would be favored going into this game.
Auburn beat 5 teams ranked in the final top 15 in '04... I give Bama credit for the last 2 wins, but they were the only top 15 in the final rankings... and 2 of only 4 final top 25 teams they beat all year. Also, Florida was the only other top notch SEC team in '09... Auburn had the defending MNC LSU, top ten Georgia and top ten Tennessee(which they had to beat twice) back in '04. Also, Bama had a top 5 defense that year. Auburn dominated more tha Bama. the ppg was .2 points per game better for Bama. However, Arkansas scored 20 points on Auburn in '04 after Auburn had put the game away at 30-0(final was 38-20). Also, Miss St scored 14 in similar fashion after Auburn had already buried them. Tenn in the SEC champ game was the only team to truely challenge the '04 Auburn defense for 4 quarters putting up 28 points... but Auburn put up 38. And don't forget that this is a Tommy Tubberville team we're talkin about. If Auburn was up 2 scores in the second half he placed the handcuffs on Borges and the offense.
Even if you give Bama's D a slight edge(and it would have to be VERY slight), you have to give Auburn's o a big edge. McElroy and the bama passing game does not compare to the '04 Campbell and Co. passing game.
As to the stats... Carnell had 1200 yds at 5 ypc with 12 TDs. Ronnie had 913 yds at 6 ypc and 8 TDs. They combined also for 500 yds receiving and a couple of touchdowns. And did I mention that Auburn blew out just about every team they played? It was a regular occurance to see these to on the sideline in the 4th quarter.
Ingram had 1658 at 6 ypc and 17 TDs, Richardson had 751 at 5.2 ypc and 8 TDs. But these two where ridden till the end of just about every game. and they played one more game in '09(14) than Auburn in '04(13).
Campbell had 2700 yds, 70% comp, 20td-7int and averaged 10 yards per attempt.
McElroy had 2500 yds, 61% comp, 17td-4int and averaged only 7.7 yds per attempt.
Once again, Campbell didnt see a ton of 4th quarters and put up those numbers in one less game.
Any slight advantage you may give bama's running game(Based only on scheme obviously... Ingram and Richardson are very good, but they ain't Carnell and Ronnie), you'd have to give Auburn a huge advantage in the passing game. Alabama was one dimensional, and went through stretches where the passing game was horrible. Auburn's offense was dynamic and multi-demensional. The passing games are not even close in this comparison. Auburn by a mile.