Auburn football linebacker DeMarcus Riddick raised the stakes in this year’s Iron Bowl by calling out Alabama player Ryan Williams. The two freshmen will play for the first time in this heated rivalry. For Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze, his program finally appears to be gaining some momentum after his exciting victory against Texas A&M. The game went to four overtimes and, for all intents and purposes, ended the 15th-ranked Aggies’ playoff chances. Auburn football has the same opportunity to do that at Alabama on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide is coming off a brutal loss to Oklahoma. Last Saturday’s chaos still gives Alabama a chance to return to the playoffs, but Kalen DeBoer’s program must beat Auburn at home to stay in contention. DeMarcus Riddick, however, thinks nothing of the Crimson Tide and its electric 17-year-old receiver, Ryan Williams, who is special. Johnny Congdon, ABC 33/40 sports reporter Riddick’s detailed message board-worthy comments.

When asked about the Alabama star, the Auburn linebacker replied: “Ryan Williams is not a great player for me.” Riddick then added, “I won’t lose to Bama while I’m here.”

The 2024 Iron Bowl could determine Hugh Freeze’s future

Although he has been a successful SEC coach in the past, the Hugh Freeze era has been difficult for the Tigers thus far. Auburn football is 11-13 in 24 games under Freeze and is in danger of its fourth straight losing season overall. That win-loss total isn’t much better than former head coach Bryan Harsin’s, who was 9-12 with the program. Posting another losing season and failing to qualify for a bowl game could be detrimental for Freeze, especially if it comes in the form of a blowout against the program’s heated rival.

Earlier in the year, the Tigers entered play against the SEC. brutal home loss to unranked Cal. The woes, particularly at the quarterback position, continued, as Auburn posted a 2-5 record in the conference. This series included disappointing home losses to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Arkansas, which warmed Freeze’s seat. However, Saturday’s 43-41 victory allowed the program to finally feel some momentum heading into its most crucial game of the season.

Growing up in Clanton, Alabama, DeMarcus Riddick has been around the Iron Bowl his entire life. And November 30 will be his first opportunity to make the history of this rivalry. So far this season, Riddick has recorded a total of 25 tackles and three sacks.

While those are solid numbers, especially for a freshman, they pale in comparison to Ryan Williams’ stats. The 17-year-old caught 42 passes for 804 yards and eight touchdowns. Williams also had some viral clutch plays that kept the Crimson Tide in playoff contention.

Still, regardless of their season so far, Williams and Riddick can become state legends depending on Saturday’s outcome. The Iron Bowl has hosted some of the greatest finales in college football history. Even though Auburn football will arrive in Tuscaloosa as underdogs, they expect no less from Saturday’s game.