Notes and Quotes: Duke Williams is expected to play in Iron Bowl

"Iron Bowl week is finally here," said Gus Malzahn, opening up his final media appearance prior to Saturday's Iron Bowl matchup with No. 1 Alabama.
Malzahn spoke a lot about how talented of a team the Crimson Tide are, on both sides of the ball.
"They've got one of the better offenses in all of college football," Malzahn said. "Blake Sims, I think, has had an outstanding year. He's very efficient with the ball, protects the ball, and he's got the ability to hurt with legs too."
Malzahn also talked about Alabama's best offensive weapon.
"Amari Cooper is one of the better playmakers in college football, if not the best playmaker," Malzahn said. "He's a special player, and add too that a very good running game, so they present a lot of challenges."
Scouting for someone like Cooper, Malzahn said, has been a challenge.
"You can put a jersey on somebody with the same number," Mazahn said. "But to simulate one of the best players in college football is probably not realistic."
Defensively, Malzahn said, the team knows what it's up against, and how much a challenge it is.
"It's pretty much the same as every year," Malzahn said. "Very talented players at every position."
As far as Auburn goes, Malzahn gave updates on injuries penalties that have been plaguing the Tigers in recent weeks.
Defensive end Davonte Lambert will miss the Iron Bowl and the rest of the season, as he had surgery today. Senior DT Jeff Whitaker will miss the game as well, but "everyone else, we're expecting to play," meaning wide receiver Duke Williams will most likely play in his first Iron Bowl come Saturday. "I don't know if he's 100 percent, but we're expecting him to play," Malzahn said.
As far as the penalties, Malzahn said he takes some of the responsibility on the mental mistakes.
"We haven't been disciplined enough, that's where it really starts," Malzahn said. "The penalties, it starts with me."