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— Saturday, November 27th Alabama Crimson Tide @ Auburn Tigers
The Iron Bowl doesn’t have as much on the line nationally this year as it has in the past, but that doesn’t matter to the teams and fans. Whenever No. 3 Alabama (10-1) and Auburn (6-5) take the field, it is an all-out battle for 60 minutes where the unexpected can and does happen. Saturday’s kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised by CBS.
Alabama leads the all-time series 47-37-1, but the teams have alternated wins the last five years, with the home team winning each time. The last Tide win at Auburn came in 2015, and they are 3-6 in their last nine visits to Jordan-Hare. The winning team has scored at least 42 points in the last three games and at least 30 points in eight of the last ten meetings.
Young Leading Bama to Big Wins
The Tide are 6-5 ATS this season, and the over is 6-5 in their 11 games. The offense ranks sixth in total yards (502 ypg), eighth in passing yards (344 ypg), and second in scoring (44.4 ppg). The defense ranks fifth in the nation against the run (84 ypg) and eighth in total yards allowed (304 ypg).
Quarterback Bryce Young is a Heisman contender at +250, the second-best odds heading into the final regular-season weekend. On the season, he is second in the nation with 38 touchdowns, sixth with 3,584 yards while completing 72 percent of his passes. Young has just three interceptions and has also rushed for two touchdowns.
Running back Brian Robinson Jr. leads the Tide with 945 yards and 14 touchdowns. He picked up his fourth 100-yard game last week when he ran for 122 against Arkansas, but he failed to find the end zone for the first time since October 9.
Both Jameson Williams and John Metchie III are coming off monster games against Arkansas as Williams caught eight balls for 190 yards and three scores while Metchie had 10 for 173 and a score. On the season, Williams has 1,218 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Metchie has 77 catches for 895 yards and seven scores. Tight end Cameron Letu has six touchdown catches.
Auburn Looks to Spoiler Role
Auburn is 5-6 ATS this season, and the under is 6-5 in their games while they are 4-2 at Jordan-Hare. The Tigers rank 50th in the nation in passing (251 ypg), 52nd in rushing (177 ypg), and 55th in scoring (30.3 ppg). The defense ranks 42nd in the nation against the run(135 ypg), 79th in passing (236 ypg), and 37th in scoring (22 ppg).
The task got harder for Auburn when junior quarterback Bo nix broke his ankle against Mississippi State two weeks ago. T.J. Finley played at South Carolina last weekend and went 17-for-32 for 188 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He faced Alabama last year while at LSU and was 14-for-28 for 144 yards with a touchdown in a 55-17 loss.
Auburn will have to run the ball to stay in the game on Saturday. Tank Bigsby leads the Tigers with 940 yards and ten touchdowns, and he ran for 164 yards last week at South Carolina. Alabama held him to just 39 yards on 11 carries last season as the Tigers lost 42-13.
Wideout Shedrick Jackson leads Auburn with 495 yards while Kobe Hudson has 490. Hudson missed the USC game but should be back against Alabama Saturday. Demetris Robertson hauled in his team-leading fourth touchdown against last Saturday and has 435 yards on the season.
Betting Analysis
- Alabama Crimson Tide -20.5 (-105). Money Line -1400
- Auburn Tigers +20.5 (-115). Money Line +760
- Total Points 55.5 (Over -115. Under -105)
Even with a healthy Nix, it was going to be tough for Auburn to win this game. The defense has allowed 84 points in the last three games, and Alabama is looking to make a statement. The Tide will harass Finley all day, and if they grab some early turnovers, this game could get way out of hand.
Betting Pick: Alabama -20.5 (-105)
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