The initial SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report ahead of rivalry week in the conference has been released. Auburn's report is fairly standard, as four of the six players listed have been diagnosed with season-ending injuries.

If Alabama can stop the run and force Auburn into must-pass situations, there are opportunities to be had. However, Alabama had one combined sack (against Tennessee) in its three losses, due in large part because it didn’t force those teams into many third-and-long situations.

DeBoer caps his first regular season with the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide (8-3, 4-3 SEC. No. 13 CFP) Saturday against Freeze's Auburn Tigers, with the team's league championship hopes dashed and playoff chances damaged but alive. Both teams have failed to meet fans' expectations but statewide bragging rights remain up for grabs.