The rivalry between Alabama and Auburn has been called the “Iron Bowl” since 1964, when Auburn coach Ralph Jordan told reporters that, even in a season that would not end in a bowl game for Auburn, the Tigers had a bowl game every year — their rivalry with Alabama, which he called the “Iron Bowl.” At that time, the game was played at Legion Field in Birmingham as a neutral site each year, and Birmingham was known for its steel industry. The rivalry has featured 83 meetings dating back to 1893. Alabama has won 46 times; Auburn has won 36; one game ended in a tie. The teams would have met many more times, but the teams did not meet between 1906 and 1948 because of issues with officiating. It took an act of the Alabama Legislature to start the rivalry again. Auburn comes in as the home underdog despite the fact that Alabama will not have starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose hip separation ended his season. Can the Tigers carry out what the sports betting establishment considers an upset? Or will Alabama dominate their rival with freshman Mac Jones at quarterback? We have your Iron Bowl preview right here.
NCAAF: Alabama at Auburn College Football Week 14 Spread & Expert Prediction
It’s more than just bragging rights.
📍: Auburn, AL ⏰: 2:30 PM 📺: @SEConCBS#BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/1ppnNE2a2i — Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) 29 de noviembre de 2019
- When: Saturday, November 30, 2019, 3:30 pm ET
- Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
- TV: CBS
- Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network / Auburn IMG Sports Network
- Live Stream: CBSSports.com
- College Football Week 14 Odds: Alabama -3 – O/U 49.5
Why should you bet on the Crimson Tide?
Most teams would not be in the running for a College Football Playoff with a freshman backup quarterback, but most teams don’t have the recruiting depth that Alabama has. Remember, Tua Tagovailoa was a freshman when he came off the bench at halftime and led the Crimson Tide to a national championship win after Jalen Hurts was stymied for much of the first half. It didn’t help that the Tide lost at home to LSU, but Mac Jones has played well at quarterback. He has a 7:1 TD:INT ratio through 77 passing attempts. It is worth pointing out that his competition has been Arkansas, Mississippi State (for a half) and Western Carolina, while Auburn’s defense is much tougher, but Jones has gotten off to a very promising start.
Tailback Najee Harris will take much of the pressure off Jones. He averages six yards per carry this season, and the whole team comes in with a great deal of rest for the starters as the team used much of their game last week against Western Carolina to rest the starters and give their reserves some game experience. This basically means that last week was a “bye week” in terms of preparation to get ready for Auburn. The Alabama defense has been stout, permitting no more than 13 points in four of their last five games (with the exception coming against LSU). They have held opponents in the single digits in terms of points in six of 11 games so far this season.
Why should you put your money on the Tigers?
Auburn started their season with a big win over then-#11 Oregon and ran off five straight wins to start the 2019 campaign. However, they have gone 3-3 since then, losing at Florida, at LSU and at home against Georgia while routing Arkansas and Sanford and edging Ole Miss. There is no playoff possibility for Auburn with those three losses, but they can spoil the chances that Alabama has to back into a playoff spot by giving the Tide their second loss on the season. Last year, Alabama won by 31, so Auburn is most definitely looking for some redemption.
Auburn’s up-and-down season has a bit to do with the fact that they have a true freshman at quarterback in Bo Nix. In the opener against Oregon, Nix struggled with consistency before catching fire at the end of the game and leading an incredible comeback. Throughout the season, Nix has had difficulty at times against the top competition in the conference. Nix threw the ball 50 times against Georgia but only picked up 245 yards through the air. Nix must show more consistency against an Alabama defense that has been elite all season long.
Final Score Prediction
In most cases, I would not suggest wagering on a team going on the road in an SEC game with a backup quarterback, but Bo Nix is also a true freshman, much like Mac Jones. Alabama has the defense to confuse and shut down Nix, and I see the Alabama offense doing enough to get this win and stay in the playoff conversation. I predict a final score of Alabama 27, Auburn 20.
