quote: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.
Where to start? Bama's D would have an edge, even if slight, yes. Auburn's O with a big edge? Hardly. They averaged no more a game than Bama did. Bama had a better rushing attack, period. Ingram and Richardson as a Sophomore and Freshman, were better than Au's 2 Seniors. And just like yalls RB's, Ingram only played ONE quarter in a game and a couple of games only a half. Heck, he only played 3 quarters in the NC game if you'll recall. And still had over 400 more yards rushing than your best back had. You also want to give the receiving that Carnell had? Fine.. his total yardage was 1317 yds combined, under Ingrams rushing. Add in Ingrams receiving too and he's at 1992 yards. Yeah.. thats over 600 yards better with a one game difference. Bama clearly had a more dominant and better running game and RB's.
Passing. Ok.. yes, Campbell had 200 more yards passing and higher completion rate over the course of the season. He also had twice as many interceptions. He also did not face the top ranked defenses 2 games back to back like Bama did. Bama still dominated those defenses and opponents when we did. I'd call this position a wash. Bama had a larger edge in time of possession over their opponents, had a better defense over more games and a better running game over more games, where they could have been diluted down, but weren't. I'm not taking away from Auburn, as they 04 team was pretty dang good, but to argue that it is/was much better than Bama's this previous year is absurd. Again, Bama would be a slight favorite if they could play today.