Auburn needs Burns to have best game

AUBURN - Steve Ensminger said one of his biggest projects this week is convincing his young quarterback, Kodi Burns, to remain patient this week.

Ensminger, who has called offensive plays since Tony Franklin was fired after the sixth game of the season, knows that can be difficult, especially in an Iron Bowl atmosphere.

Still, mistakes - especially against Alabama's defense - could potentially make Saturday an ugly game very quickly.

"I think the biggest key, if you watch Alabama, is they're an opportunistic football team," Ensminger said. "In the big games, they take care of the football. Just looking at the LSU game. LSU made mistakes and turned the football over.

"I think the biggest key for us and for (Burns) is to be patient and to live to punt. You don't have to make plays on every third down. You live to punt. We'll have our shots during the game to score some points. Just don't try to force anything."

That's critical against Alabama. The Crimson Tide has intercepted 15 passes this season. Four of those interceptions have been returned for touchdowns. In all, Alabama has five defensive touchdowns this season.

Ensminger said the extra week has helped Auburn prepare for Alabama. It could especially help Burns.

"You get in there and you watch the film," Ensminger said. "They try to do a good bit in the secondary, disguise and stuff like that. So the extra week has really helped us as far as going back to last year's film. Also, I had a chance to watch every game this year. So the extra week did help."

Ensminger said Alabama's secondary, led by safety Rashad Johnson and his five interceptions, is the strength of the defense.

That doesn't mean the rest of the unit isn't just as good. Defensive tackle Terrence Cody poses one of the significant challenges for the Auburn offensive line.

Auburn center Jason Bosley said Cody would present one of the greatest threats he has faced. "I haven't seen someone (like him) since I've been here," Bosley said. "I don't know if they were 360 pounds but they were some big boys but they couldn't move like he moves."