Iron Bowl Matchup: Alabama's Jonathan Allen vs Auburn's Alex Kozan

To help prepare for Saturday’s 81st annual Iron Bowl, BamaHammer.com will spotlight a critical Iron Bowl Matchup each day. Today’s matchup is Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen vs. Auburn offensive lineman Alex Kozan.

Allen has been a force for one of the nation’s top-ranked units, anchoring the Crimson Tide’s defensive line. Providing consistent pressure from his end spot, he has collected a team-high 13 quarterback hurries and has made seven sacks (-55 yards). He has also added 9.5 tackles for loss (-70 yards) as part of his 46 tackles on the season.

The senior lineman, who was named a Bednarik Award finalist this week, has returned a team-leading two fumble recoveries for 105 combined yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Allen has totaled 25 career sacks to place him second on the Tide’s all-time list behind former Crimson Tide standout and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.

Kozan is a three-year returning starter at left guard for Auburn and has played in and started 38 games. Kozan, who received his bachelor’s degree in May, 2015, was named a co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in October. As a unit, Auburn is the best rushing team in the SEC – averaging 297.8 yards per game.

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers will meet for the 81st time in series history Saturday (2:30 pm CT, CBS), with Alabama owning the all-time advantage, 44-35-1. Most recently, the Tide claimed a 29-13 victory in Auburn to clinch the SEC Western Division title and close out the 2015 regular season schedule.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 8-6 in his career against Auburn, including a 6-3 overall mark while with the Crimson Tide and a 3-1 record at Bryant-Denny Stadium.