I wrote a story for today's newspaper about Auburn's running game matching up against Alabama's stout run defense. Here's how it starts:

AUBURN, Ala. — Ryan Pugh’s Saturday away from the football field was interrupted by the buzzing of his cell phone last weekend.

It was Auburn running back Ben Tate, texting Pugh and the rest of the Tigers’ offensive line a quick reminder of one particularly telling stat: Alabama has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than two years.

“This isn’t a game you lay an egg running the ball because they’re very good against running the ball,” Pugh said. “It’s on his mind. It’s on our mind. If we can get Ben near 100 yards, we can put ourselves in a good position.”

That will be a tall task come Friday, when Alabama brings its No. 2 nationally-ranked defense to Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Iron Bowl.

The Crimson Tide are allowing only 70.4 rushing yards per game this season, a mark that trails only Texas (50.1 ypg). Alabama hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 30 games — the longest streak in the nation by nine games — dating back to Oct. 13, 2007, when Ole Miss’ BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 131 yards.

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