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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Its no surprise that Alabama brings a formidable, aggressive defense that ranks among the nations best into the Iron Bowl.The twist: Now, Auburn can make the same claim.The 16th-ranked Tigers have the programs best defense in years coming into Saturdays showdown with the top-ranked Crimson Tide, which still probably sets the standard among college defenses.Its the best defense in college football, Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. I think thats pretty obvious.Auburns is pretty good, too. Both have defensive fronts that can punish runners and quarterbacks alike, with playmakers in the secondary and linebackers who can cover some ground.The Tide ranks second nationally in scoring defense, giving up 11.4 points per game. Auburns allowing 14.3 points on average, seventh-best nationally.The Tigers havent ranked better than 48th in that category in the past seven seasons.Theyve improved greatly since last season, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said of Auburns defense. When we went into this season, we felt like this had a chance to be one of our better defenses, at least since Ive been here. Each week it seems like theyve gotten better.Theyre stopping the run very well. Were not giving up a lot of explosive plays in the pass or run game and our red zone defense has been excellent.The game features two defenses that excel at stopping the run but also some of the Southeastern Conferences best pass rushers.Alabama has Jonathan Allen (seven sacks), Tim Williams (8.0) and Ryan Anderson (6.5). Auburns Carl Lawson actually clocks in as the Iron Bowl leader with nine sacks, pairing with tackle Montravius Adams to lead a defensive front that is talented and fairly deep.Theyre very physical and aggressive, Tide coach Nick Saban said. Theyve got several very good pass rushers. A combination of all those things has made them probably the most effective front weve played against all year.The same undoubtedly goes for Auburns offense. The Tigers lead the SEC in rushing, but face the nations best defense when it comes to stopping the run. Alabama opponents are averaging just 68.9 yards on the ground with only three rushing touchdowns.The fact that the Tide is also second nationally in sacks per game bolsters those numbers, too. Auburn, meanwhile, hasnt allowed a rushing touchdown in the past eight games.Alabama remains loaded with defensive stars. Allen is a finalist for the Bednarik Award given to the nations top defensive player. Leading tackler Reuben Foster is a Butkus Award finalist as the nations top linebacker.The Tide hasnt allowed a touchdown in the last nine-plus quarters despite having lost safety Eddie Jackson to a broken leg and having to shift cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick over. The defense has even scored nine TDs.Auburns defense has excelled in different ways. The Tigers trail only Florida nationally in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 67 percent of the time after penetrating the Tigers 20-yard line. Theyre also tops with 65 passes broken up.The game gives former colleagues a chance to match wits. First-year Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele worked on Alabamas staff two years ago in Lane Kiffins first season running the Tide offense.Kiffin has led a transformation of `Bamas offensive style that now features the running abilities of freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts.I personally think hes got a creative offensive mind, Steele said. Hes very quick and creative. He calls the game with no fear and his players do things he puts it in their hands to execute. He does a great job of that.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25Dalvin Cook Youth Jersey . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Chris Doleman Youth Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. http://www.thevikingsshoponline.com/Youth-Randy-Moss-Vikings-Jersey/ . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Alan Page Jersey . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. Adam Thielen Youth Jersey . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week.The expansion of marijuana legalization across the United States during this weeks elections will not spur any immediate changes in the NFLs joint drug policy with the NFL Players Association, spokesmen for both the league and the NFLPA said Wednesday.The NFLPA, however, will continue its pre-election efforts to form a pain management committee that will, among other tasks, explore the use and effects of marijuana as a natural pain reliever.The committee, said NFLPA assistant executive director of external affairs George Atallah, will look at all ailments facing our members with marijuana only one substance of a much bigger issue.Marijuana is now legal in 28 states and Washington, D.C., for medicinal purposes. Seven states -- most recently California, which hosts four NFL teams -- will allow it for recreational use.But it remains one of eight drugs banned under the NFLs policy and program on substances of abuse. A test result indicating 35 ng/mL or more of marijuana in the bloodstream results in a violation, leading to a graduated series of discipline that includes fines and suspensions.In a recent poll conducted by ESPNs NFL Nation, nearly two thirds of active players surveyed said they believed that a relaxation of the NFLs marijuana policy would reduce the amount of chemical painkillers in use.ddddddddddddn a statement, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said that a group of jointly appointed independent medical advisers is constantly reviewing and relying on the most current research and scientific data but has found no impetus to change the current policy.We continue to follow the advice of leading experts on treatment, pain management and other symptoms associated with concussions and other injuries, McCarthy said. However, medical experts have not recommended making a change or revisiting our collectively-bargained policy and approach related to marijuana, and our position on its use remains consistent with federal law and workplace policies across the country. If these advisers determine a change would be in the best interest of our players, we would discuss it. ' ' '