This year’s Iron Bowl is a combination of knowns and unknowns.

Everybody knows each team fields one of the best defenses in the Southeastern Conference, if not the country.

Everybody knows that Alabama is an unquestioned No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, well ahead of the rest of the field.

But which of Auburn’s previously injured Tigers will take the field when the team from the Plains visits Bryant-Denny Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. contest on CBS? That may not be known until closer to game time.

Will Jeremy Johnson start as quarterback for the Iron Bowl? (Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics)

Asked if he would be comfortable playing someone other than Sean White at quarterback in the 81st renewal of this intrastate rivalry, coach Gus Malzahn said he’ll determine what’s best for his team.

“You never want to make a decision earlier and be wrong,” he said. “(You’d rather) wait until late and give a chance to see Sean’s status and everything that goes with that.”

White did some throwing in early week practice but “he didn’t do a whole lot,” said Malzahn, who said that leading rusher Kamryn Pettway will return to the lineup. “Any time you get a guy like that back, it changes things in a good way for us. I can’t guarantee he’ll be 100 percent at this point but I am expecting him to play.”

Fullback Chandler Cox, a strong run blocker, also returns from injury for Auburn.

Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley may need a big day against a stingy Auburn run defense. (Amelia B. Barton/UA Athletics)

Nick Saban acknowledged that Alabama didn’t play its best in beating Chattanooga 31-3 last week. The focus, he said, is to move forward to the challenge that lies ahead.

“Their defense has probably been as good as any defense that we’ve played against all year long,” he said. “They’re very good up front, they have good pass rushers (and) they play good in the back end.”

As for the Auburn offense, “They do what they do on offense regardless of who plays quarterback,” the coach said. “I don’t see a whole lot of difference in the guys. I don’t like to compare people. We all respect each and every one of their abilities to make plays.”

Senior Jeremy Johnson started for Auburn in its 55-0 win over Alabama A&M. John Franklin III will also be available.

Malzahn said Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts is “like a running back playing the quarterback position. When things break down, he makes good decisions. He protects the football, can throw the ball vertically down the field very well and has had good command of his offense.”

The Tigers coach said Alabama’s defense may be the best pass rushing unit he’s seen from the Tide. “Especially when they know it’s a pass situation,” Malzahn said.

Regardless of the outcome, the top-ranked Tide will face Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

Other state schools

Samford at Youngstown State:  The No. 23 Bulldogs open play in the Football Championship Subdivision with a trip to Ohio to play the No. 13 team in the country. The game is at 4 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN3. The victor will face No. 1 Jacksonville State next week.

North Carolina-Pembroke at North Alabama: The top seeded Lions will host the fifth seeded Braves at Braly Stadium at noon in the second round of Super Region 2 play in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. North Carolina-Pembroke brings a 10-1 record to Braly Stadium, with its only loss coming 21-16 at Tuskegee in Oct.1.

Miles at Alabama State: The Hornets host the 93rd Turkey Day Classic today at 3 p.m. on ESPN3. The home team is 3-7; the visiting Golden Bears are 5-4.

Troy at Texas State: The Trojans (8-2) travel to San Marcos, Texas, to face the Bobcats at 3 p.m. on ESPN3. Troy already has a date next week at Georgia Southern.

Tuskegee at North Greenville: After upsetting No. 2 seed 35-33 in the first round of the Division II playoffs, the seventh seeded Golden Tigers face the sixth seed at 11 a.m. Central. Tuskegee is 9-2 overall.

High school playoffs

Class 6A: Ramsay (11-2) is one of two Birmingham City Schools bidding for a berth in an Alabama High School Athletic Association title game. They host Austin (10-3) at Lawson Field Stadium. The Rams are 4-2 in their two playoff appearances; this is their first trip to the playoff semifinal round. Austin and Ramsay have one common opponent – Decatur. Austin beat the Red Raiders 37-35 in triple overtime in the second game of the regular season. Ramsay ended Decatur’s season 34-6 in the second game of the playoffs.

Class 5A: Wenonah (10-2) is the other Birmingham City School with a shot at reaching a championship game. The Dragons travel to Shelby County to face Briarwood Christian (11-2). Wenonah lost the only other meeting with the Lions by a 15-14 score in their third game this season.

Class 4A: Handley (11-2) plays at Andalusia (12-1).

Class 3A: Mobile Christian (12-1) hosts Gordo (13-0).

Class 2A: Aliceville (12-1) travels to Skipperville to take on at G.W. Long (12-0).

Class 1A: In a battle of unbeaten teams, Maplesville (12-0) plays at Linden (13-0).

Class 7A: Hoover (11-2) has already stamped its ticket for the championship round. The Bucs are set to face defending state champion McGill-Toolen Catholic at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. Friday’s semifinalists hope to join them on the Plains.