ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit foresees Auburn exposing Alabama football's defense in Iron Bowl
Erik Hall
ESPN broadcasters Kirk Herbstreit and Matt Barrie discussed a range of topics on Monday's "The ESPN College Football Podcast."
One of the topics they discussed was Alabama's defensive struggles in a 52-24 win against Tennessee on Oct. 23.
That performance gave Herbstreit questions about how Alabama will perform at Auburn in the 2021 Iron Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 27.
Auburn, ranked No. 21 in the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, is 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the SEC. No. 3 Alabama is 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC.
Kirk Herbstreit discusses weaknesses of Alabama football's defense
Herbstreit said he was shocked Tennessee played close with Alabama. At the end of the third quarter, Alabama led Tennessee 24-17.
"The Vols were looking good," Herbstreit said. "What's up with that?! Alabama had some busts in coverage again. Not looking real sharp."
Barrie responded, "Alabama needs to be careful. Alabama lives just too dangerously enough where that'll cost them against LSU. That'll cost them against Auburn. That'll cost them against one of these teams late in the season."
Alabama has an open week before facing LSU on Nov. 6.
"The defense has been a mystery," Herbstreit said of Alabama. "They played so well late last year. To me, when he (Alabama head coach Nick Saban) has veterans at the second and third level, that defense is so devastating."
In 2020, Alabama allowed 26.4 points per game through the first five games, and it allowed 15.5 points per game over the last eight games.
"Right now, they get certain looks, and it's just not clicking the way you would expect it to click with a veteran group," Herbstreit said. "In fact, this was an issue last year for this defense the first three, four, five weeks, but it was like they had this aha moment. ... And all of those guys are back this year, and so you would expect zero busts, zero breakdowns, everybody locked in. And it's just not been the case."
Herbstreit was dismissive of Alabama's remaining SEC opponents LSU and Arkansas posing a threat, but Alabama's lone road game at Auburn causes him some concern.
"You got to go to Jordan-Hare, which could be a little bit sneaky," Herbstreit said. "(Auburn head coach) Bryan Harsin — he and (Auburn offensive coordinator) Mike Bobo — that's the game where you can draw up ball plays with a veteran quarterback, and you realize, 'OK, what's the kryptonite to Nick Saban's defense?' The kryptonite is multiple formations, up-tempo, return the tight end, motions to go to trips now on the boundary, now bring them back over here, make them have to think. Now, we got a quarterback that can run and throw. It's the formula to move the ball and hit some explosives. ... Plus, it's a rivalry game.
"But they (Auburn) definitely have the offense and the mind with Harsin and Bobo and (Auburn quarterback) Bo Nix to at least make it tough on 'Bama," Herbstreit added. "But other than that, I just don't know if they (Alabama) play anybody else that can expose that concern in that 'Bama defense right now."
Auburn is scheduled to host Ole Miss on Saturday, Oct. 30.
Here's more Alabama, Auburn football news:
- Alabama football:Three things Alabama football must improve — or keep doing — after idle week
- Alabama, Tennessee football:Tennessee gives Alabama football a scary night but it's a haze of Tide cigar smoke in the end | Hurt
- Auburn football:Why Auburn football's game vs. Ole Miss will shape tale of Bryan Harsin's Year 1 | Toppmeyer
Herbstreit has been with ESPN since 1995. Barrie has been with ESPN since 2013.
Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.