![[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/89ee85a9894177ee95a7eb2e4b81f46b21b2ff8feaca22f8dcef7a3ef883e82a.jpg "[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]")
Alabama and Auburn meet for the 86th time Saturday afternoon in Auburn. The Crimson Tide leads the rivalry with 47 wins to Auburn’s 37. There has been one tie.
Why Alabama Will Win
Alabama will win because it is the better team. We made the same statement about the Arkansas game and while it was true, the Razorbacks put up a fight and coupled with Crimson Tide mistakes made the game close.
The Crimson Tide has more talent than the Tigers but the gap is not huge. The mentality of the teams on Saturday will drive the outcome of the game. The Auburn program is in disarray. Worse than losing starting quarterback Bo Nix to injury, the Tigers are overall not a very good team.
More than a few Auburn fans would like to see Bryan Harsin move on after just one season. How will the Auburn players respond? At least on defense, expect the Auburn players to rally around Derek Mason. To many of the Auburn players, the Iron Bowl is the most important game of the season.
The Crimson Tide roster is filled with players from outside the state of Alabama. No doubt they want to win the Iron Bowl, but the Tide might be looking ahead to next week.
What Will Happen
The game is likely to go one of two ways. The Tigers may fight hard for three quarters, keeping the game close, followed by a fourth-quarter collapse. Another possibility is the Tide gets up by 14-17 points in the second quarter and a dispirited Auburn team goes through the motions the rest of the way, losing by four touchdowns or more.
There is no indication from Auburn message boards that fans believe the team will be motivated in a ‘win one for the Harsin’ effort.
Assuming the Crimson Tide defense holds the Auburn rushing game in check, new Tigers’ starting QB, TJ Finley will struggle. While the Tide’s secondary has been prone to miscues, Finley is not the type of quarterback to gain many advantages from any lapses.
Alabama vs. Auburn Odds
According to WynnBET, the Alabama Crimson Tide is a 19.5-point favorite. The Moneyline is Alabama -1125 and Auburn +730, with the over-under at 55 points.
Alabama vs. Auburn Game Prediction
Plain and simple, the Crimson Tide wins easily. During the third quarter, Aubies will be streaming out of the Jordan-Hare stands. Alabama covers the spread.