AUBURN FOOTBALL 2009 OPPONENT PREVIEW: Defense could carry Tide to another strong season

Auburn won’t have five fingers and a thumb in its corner when it squares off against Alabama in the 74th Iron Bowl.

Then again, that didn’t do the Tigers much good in 2008, when “36-0” happened and the official new era in the rivalry was ushered in with a lopsided result.

If all goes as the prognosticators plan, this year’s installment could result in the most lopsided betting line heading into the Friday matchup at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

No one expects Auburn to be anything better than a lower-tier bowl team. Almost everyone expects the Tide to, at the least, repeat last year’s march through the regular season and claim their second consecutive SEC West crown.

It’s a stark contrast from last year, when the respective opposite was expected from both teams.

Alabama’s major strength is on defense, where it returns almost everyone from a unit that allowed the seventh-lowest points per game in the nation last season.

“I think we want to be a physical team that puts a lot of pressure on the other team, especially on special teams and defense, in terms of style of play,” coach Nick Saban said at this past week’s SEC Media Days. “And I think when you score points that probably means that you did that.”

The players Saban has makes it probable that his defense and special teams will put points on the scoreboard.

Rolando McClain leads a stacked group of linebackers, which also includes Dont’a Hightower, who received preseason second-team billing heading into his sophomore season.

McClain, who took a backseat to vocal leader Rashad Johnson last season, serves as the face of the unit. And he knows it.

“It’s hard because it breaks my personality. I’m laid back and typically more focused just on doing my thing, but if it helps the team, then that’s what I want to do,” McClain said. “This year, Coach Saban wants me to be the type of guy that says something if things aren’t going well.“

Again, that shouldn’t have to occur very often.

Another member of that defense, defensive back Javier Arenas, serves as arguably the biggest special-teams sparkplug in the nation. Arenas led the SEC with 650 yards in punt returns, returning three for touchdowns while averaging 23.6 yards per kickoff return in 2008.

“I think he’s one of the primary examples I would use of any personality on our team,” Saban said.

Alabama’s offense lost a lot of personality in quarterback John Parker Wilson and offensive tackle Andre Smith. Surprisingly, the latter will be much harder to replace, Saban said.

Junior-college transfer James Carpenter won the vacant left tackle job during the spring, but Saban didn’t exactly give him the most ringing endorsement Thursday. He said Carpenter “showed he could at least be a functional offensive lineman in this league.”

Expect incoming freshman D.J. Fluker, all 340 pounds of him, to make a run at the job this fall.

Saban, though, made quick work in naming Wilson’s replacement, Greg McElroy. Though Wilson didn’t exactly set the SEC on fire during his reign as the Tide’s starter, he set nearly every Alabama passing record.

He’ll be tough to replace, but Alabama’s players appear confident behind him.

“I think a lot of people will be surprised to see Greg’s athletic ability,” offensive lineman Mike Johnson said. “I think overall, people will be surprised at how he does in gameday situations.“

Of course, having Julio Jones back and improved from a breakout freshman campaign won’t hurt, either.

“I don’t think it’s too much to expect (good things) at all,” Johnson said. “With time, I think everyone will be surprised at what they see.“

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