Iron Bowl Bold Prediction No. 4
- Without Anders Carlson available, the Auburn Tigers will miss at least one field goal. New placekicker, Ben Patton missed a 25-yarder against South Carolina. That will not likely happen again, but outside of 40 yards he will miss; unless Harsin has such little confidence in him, he declines field goal opportunities.
Iron Bowl Bold Prediction No. 5
- One advantage the Auburn offense has is the Crimson Tide had little tape of an Auburn-T.J. Finley offense to study. Bryan Harsin will try some offensive surprises and some of them will probably work. Even with a few successful trick plays, the Auburn Tigers offense will generate less than 350 yards.
Iron Bowl Prediction No. 6
- The Auburn defense is good against the run. Slowing down the Tide rushing attack is not enough to slow the Tide’s Bryce Young-led passing offense. The Alabama Crimson Tide offense will generate at least 450 yards in total offense.
Stats in the post were retrieved from rolltide.com and sportsreference.com.
A bonus prediction is in the hours after the game, Bryan Harsin will not announce he is leaving Auburn to coach Washington – where they are not interested in him. Many Auburn fans wish the Huskies were.