Auburn football’s secondary will be in for one of its biggest tests this season matching up against Alabama’s high-powered offense.

However, the Tigers will be without safety Sylvester Smith who will be suspended in the first half of the Iron Bowl after being called for targeting in the second half against Mercer.

Interim coach DJ Durkin spoke about Smith’s suspension and his plans this week in practice for him.

“We were just going through the reps at practice. Obviously, you feel for him. This is a game that’s so important for him personally. But he’ll still be playing in it. I thought that hit was close. It was kind of bang-bang. I see why it was called. I think he can do a better job keeping his head out of it. But I’ve also seen worse not called too,” Durkin said Monday afternoon.

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