Why did Auburn abandon running game in Iron Bowl?
"Auburn did something not many teams have done this season: it ran the ball effectively against Alabama.
Then, just as the surprising feat appeared on the stat sheet at halftime, coach Gus Malzahn ripped the ball out of his running backs' hands.
Jovon Robinson rushed for 53 yards on 12 carries in the first half, but received only two carries in the second half as Auburn flirted with an upset of No. 2 Alabama. The Tide (11-1, 7-1 SEC) went on to win 29-13 in a performance that was a one-score game early in the fourth quarter.
Auburn's running backs combined for only five carries for five yards in the second half.
"They were rolling an extra guy down on first down and they dared us to throw it," Malzahn said. "Early on, when they did that, we got some yards. In the second half, we had trouble when they rolled the extra guy down. That was really the biggest difference."
Quarterback Jeremy Johnson was 2 of 4 passing for 27 yards on first down in the second half, when Malzahn believed it was time to keep Robinson and Peyton Barber out of the game plan."
It's legitimately as simple as Auburn just stopped running the ball. Jovon was playing his usual game running through holes, 12 carries 53 yards and Barber got his plays when they came, 5 carries 29 yards.
There were some speed plays too that worked out, but the main point is Alabama looked vulnerable alot and Auburn aint even have a passing threat
I will say, y'all ran (before y'all abandoned it and ended up with 91) on our defense the right way, running outside. Something that other teams refuse to do against us, but I ain't complaining 
That's how you beat them. If Bama has time to protect Jake Coker they should be good.
