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WATCH: Alabama players discuss Iron Bowl, moving on from 2017 loss to Auburn
By Jake Rill
Published:
The ending to the 2017 Iron Bowl was a sad scene for Alabama fans.
Auburn won, 26-14, to finish first in the SEC West and earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Tigers fans stormed the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium to celebrate the win over the Crimson Tide.
But this year, Alabama hosts the matchup. And the No. 1 Crimson Tide are set on taking care of business this season.
“We don’t even talk about last year, we really just focus on this team,” Alabama linebacker Christian Miller said while meeting with the media on Monday. “It’s a completely different team, completely different season. I know you all probably hear that all the time, but it’s true, we really are just focused on this season, this team, especially this week. This is the game that we have this week, so that’s what we’re focused on.”
The stakes aren’t as high this season, as Alabama has already clinched its spot in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. But the Crimson Tide are looking to remain undefeated. And with the long history of the Iron Bowl rivalry, their players know it’s always a big game.
“We’ve played in a lot of big games around here, a lot of guys are used to it, and that’s why you come to a place like Alabama, just to play in big games like this and just not let it consume you and get too many emotions going,” Tide offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher told the media. “You’ve got to go out there and execute regardless of who you’re playing against. That’s kind of how we battle that.”
Alabama and Auburn are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
For more comments from Crimson Tide players ahead of the Iron Bowl, watch the below video courtesy of AL.com:
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
