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The Tuscaloosa News
Auburn, Alabama football trash talk for Iron Bowl? Turn it up loud | Goodbread
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Auburn, Alabama football trash talk for Iron Bowl? Turn it up loud | Goodbread
Here's the secret college coaches don't want you to know about Auburn LB DeMarcus Riddick's eye-opening Iron Bowl trash talk this week: it won't impact the outcome one bit, and it certainly won't fuel Alabama football to victory. In case you missed them, a recap of what the Tigers freshman said Monday ...
On the Iron Bowl: "I will not lose to Bama while I'm here."
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On UA quarterback Jalen Milroe : "He's fast, but he's not faster than me. He's not getting out of that box this week."
On Crimson Tide freshman star receiver Ryan Williams : "He ain't really nobody to me. Ryan Williams is himself; he ain't no big-time player to me."
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If Hugh Freeze is anything like most college coaches, Auburn won't be making Riddick available to media anytime soon. Former UA defensive lineman Luther Davis, a Louisiana native, once made a mildly inflammatory remark about LSU and, to the best of my recollection, never set foot in UA's media room again. Under the guise of not wanting to give an opponent more motivation, coaches decry public trash talk. Truth is, it just bugs them; they know full well it doesn't spur the other team to play better.
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When the ball is kicked off, Riddick's remarks won't be worth two yards to Alabama . They won't be forgotten, either. They'll end up being posted somewhere in the Alabama locker room, and you can bet Riddick will hear about them on the field. But game-week trash talk has never been anything more than harmless fun. In fact, it was once an artform that was performed far more candidly and humorously than Riddick's missive. It was pure entertainment, and college football would be better off for its revival.
Goode cause
Former Alabama and Auburn athletes Kerry Goode (football) and Gary Godfrey (basketball), both sufferers of ALS, are collaborating again for the third annual Kerry & Gary Challenge to raise money for Alabama families impacted by the disease. The Auburn side of the challenge has raised more money in the event's first two years. For more information on how to participate, visit kerryandgarychallenge.com . Goode was diagnosed with ALS more than 11 years ago. A budding star as an Alabama running back in the early 1980s before a knee injury slowed his career , he now supports ALS sufferers through The Goode Foundation.
Matchup to watch
Alabama OTs Elijah Pritchett and Kadyn Proctor vs. Auburn pass rushers Keldric Faulk and Jalen McLeod: Pritchett's struggles in pass protection continue on the right side, and while Proctor has been more consistent on the left, he didn't play very well against Oklahoma either. Faulk and McLeod represent a very different tandem, with Faulk bringing much more size, length and power to the party. He and the smaller, quicker McLeod have combined for 14 sacks (seven each) to lead the Tigers and rank tied for eighth in the league.
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Etc.
Alabama LB Justin Jefferson , who will start the Iron Bowl in place of injured team captain Deontae Lawson , is well-suited for what should be a physical game between the tackles. Jefferson is one of the UA defenses hardest hitters, and will also handle the in-ear helmet communication with defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. ... Alabama seeks its fifth consecutive Iron Bowl win. UA hasn't had a winning streak in the series that long since winning nine in a row from 1973-1981, when the game was played at Birmingham's Legion Field. ... The last time a first-year Alabama coach beat Auburn? Dennis Franchione in 2001.
Around the SEC
Would the College Football Playoff selection committee make room for a three-loss team like Alabama? I think it would be loathe to do so, but if Week 14 is as upset-chaotic as Week 13 was, that could force its hand. Three games that could open the window are Georgia Tech at Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt and South Carolina at Clemson. Upsets in those games would deepen the three-loss field and, as it pertains to the committee's options, shorten the two-loss field. ... Fan bases across the SEC footprint will be in Texas A&M's corner on Saturday, pulling for the Aggies to beat Texas and box the Longhorns out of the SEC title game. An SEC title in its first year in the league would be a boss move by Texas, and here's guessing the gloating coming from Austin would be borderline insufferable. ... Bring the Egg Bowl back to Thanksgiving Thursday. It'll still be appointment television on Friday, but it just goes down better with second-helping turkey. ... For the SEC Spread Pick of the Week, take Texas A&M +5.5 against Texas. We're riding a five-game win streak that's secured a third straight year beating the spread. Don't spend it all in one place, y'all. Season ATS: 7-4-2 (.615). All-time ATS: 28-8-3 (.756).
Tuscaloosa News sport columnist Chase Goodbread.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Auburn, Alabama football trash talk for Iron Bowl? Turn it up loud
