Alabama vs. Auburn: Best bets, odds, and Iron Bowl predictions

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Alabama vs. Auburn: Best bets, odds, and Iron Bowl predictions

It’s rivalry weekend in college football. In-state enemies will meet and battle within Jordan-Hare Stadium when the #8 Alabama Crimson Tide takes on the unranked Auburn Tigers in the 88th Iron Bowl.

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After you watch the Michigan vs. Ohio State game at midday, the second game of your doubleheader should be this game pitting the top college programs in Alabama. This season, Auburn has a chance to accomplish two things in the Iron Bowl: secure a top-notch bowl game; and defeat their hated enemy on the gridiron.

Who are the Auburn Tigers? Are they the team that was tied with defending champion Georgia with three minutes left to play? Or are they the team that was blown out by New Mexico State? That unpredictability is frustrating for their fans, players, and coaches, but it may be troublesome for the Crimson Tide. That’s because Auburn usually gells and gives Alabama a tough game.

Just two years ago following three straight losses, the unranked Tigers took Alabama into four overtimes at home before losing by two points. That’s why we like Auburn to beat the spread, but we think you can tighten that spread from the big line, and go with an alternative spread odds like +145 on +9.5 points, from DraftKings.

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Since its Week 2 loss to Texas, Alabama has been climbing and clawing its way back toward the College Football Playoff inner circle. But, nine wins in a row may not even do the trick. That’s how delicate the CFP pursuit can be. Still, the Crimson Tide have shored up their defense, and that strength is why oddsmakers see Nick Saban’s crew as more than two touchdown favorites.

The Tide allowed 20+ points in five straight games earlier this year, and that’s the longest such streak in the Saban Era in more than 15 seasons. Typically, Alabama is far stingier on D than they’ve shown this season. But, in the last two games, the defensive line has forged a quarterback pressure package. Auburn QB Payton Thorne has misfired already for seven interceptions. That’s something to watch for in this game: will Alabama force easy-pickin’ passes from the right shoulder of the junior?

We say here that the Crimson Tide, as they did the last time they played at Auburn, will struggle to take control of this game. But, in the fourth quarter, talent will win out, and Alabama will emerge with a win to secure a spot in the SEC title game against Georgia, with a spot in the CFP at stake on Dec. 2 in Atlanta.

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