No. 2 Alabama welcomes struggling rival Auburn - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Latest Scores, Headlines and Analysis

No. 2 Alabama welcomes struggling rival Auburn

Posted: Updated:
  • NEWS

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:57 GMT
    While riding  his bike down Morris Road Roger passes this site every day, it's the proposed area where a new metal recycling plant is slated to be built completely revamping this once thriving community
    While riding  his bike down Morris Road Roger passes this site every day, it's the proposed area where a new metal recycling plant is slated to be built completely revamping this once thriving community
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:40 GMT
    The Auburn Police Division will be conducting two enforcement checkpoints on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. 

     
    The Auburn Police Division will be conducting two enforcement checkpoints on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. 

    Officers will be on South College Street near Lee Road 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on West Longleaf Drive near Cox Road from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:21 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:21:05 GMT
    Meet the newest family member of Emeritus at Heritage Hills in Columbus. Tasha, a 7-year-old Beagle mix, was adopted by the Alzheimer's facility Heritage Hills just over two weeks ago.
    Meet the newest family member of Emeritus at Heritage Hills in Columbus. Tasha, a 7-year-old Beagle mix, was adopted by the Alzheimer's facility Heritage Hills just over two weeks ago.

By JOHN ZENOR

AP Sports Writer

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -So much has changed since the last time Alabama welcomed Auburn into Bryant-Denny stadium.

The second-ranked Crimson Tide were victims of the largest comeback in Iron Bowl history two years ago. Alabama is the team with flourishing Southeastern Conference and national title aspirations going into Saturday's game.

The Tigers bear little resemblance to the team that Cam Newton rallied from 24 points down two years ago on their way to a national title.

With everything left to play for, Alabama is a 31.5-point favorite in what shapes up to be one of the biggest mismatches the Iron Bowl rivalry has seen.

The Tide's Damion Square says he expects Auburn "to come play some bigtime football."

Embattled Auburn coach Gene Chizik says it will take a "near-flawless" performance to win.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)