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Alabama’s Jalen Milroe Had Blunt Response to Auburn Freshman LB’s Trash Talk

The trash talk is flowing ahead of the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Tim Capurso|
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe gives a postgame interview with SEC Nation after the end of the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 16, 2024.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe gives a postgame interview with SEC Nation after the end of the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 16, 2024. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Auburn Tigers linebacker Demarcus Riddick certainly isn't lacking for confidence ahead of the Iron Bowl vs. Alabama on Saturday. Riddick, speaking to reporters on Monday, claimed that he would not "lose to 'Bama while I'm here" then, when asked about Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe's dual-threat capabilities, vowed that he would shut down the speedy signal-caller's running game this weekend.

"He is a good quarterback. He's fast," Riddick said. "But, I mean, he's not faster than me. He will not get out of that box this week."

On Tuesday, Milroe bluntly responded when told of the Auburn freshman linebacker's comments.

"I don't know who that is," Milroe said. "I mean, let him talk. It's a part of it. It's all about executing what we need to do so we can be at our best this weekend. But, yeah, good on him."

Milroe, a junior, ranks second among SEC quarterbacks in rushing yards, with 649, and his 17 touchdowns rank sixth in the country. In Alabama's dramatic 2023 Iron Bowl victory, Milroe threw for 259 yards and two scores, adding a team-leading 107 yards on the ground. He's one of the most dangerous runners at the QB position in college football, but this year's Auburn defense, which ranks 20th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game, is built for the challenge.

While Auburn enters the 89th Iron Bowl looking to secure a bowl game for the second straight year, the Crimson Tide look to keep their slim College Football Playoff hopes alive after the program suffered a stunning Week 13 blowout defeat to Oklahoma for its third loss of the season.

Alabama has won the last four meetings with Auburn.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.

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