You guys are giving AU why too much credit. They have looked "better" in the last month because they have played about as easy an SEC schedule as you can in that run. Vandy, Miss. St. and Ark. are a combined 2-19 in conference games this year (combined 9-22 overall). Of course a mediocre AU is going to beat those teams, everyone beats them.
Let's dig a little deeper. AU has 6 wins. Guess how many teams that have played that are .500 or worse. That's right, 6. They have not beaten a single team with a winning record. Their 3 non-conference wins are a combined 12-18. Their non-conference opponents are actually slightly better than their 3 conference wins. Which is why they have looked better recently. They are beating crap teams.
Yes, Bama has struggled some this year against teams they should not have but, Bama has improved and turned a corner recently. The Iron Bowl this year should not be close. I see a 36-0, 36-10 type of beat down coming.