No. 3 Alabama Football vs Auburn: preview, TV schedule
By Matt Melton
Keys to Win
1. Establish the Run
The Crimson Tide offense has struggled at times this season running the ball, but it will be key to establish the ground game early on Saturday. We will likely see both Robinson and Sanders get a ton of looks against Auburn, and it will be key for the Alabama offensive line to establish the ground game from the first play.
2. Stop the Run
As much as the Crimson Tide offense needs to establish running the ball early, the Alabama defense also needs to contain the ground game for the Tigers, arguably the strength of the Auburn offense. The Tigers will use the trio of Bigsby, Hunter, and Shaun Shivers often, each of whom has the ability to give the Crimson Tide some troubles out of the backfield.
3. Get Pressure on Finley
The Crimson Tide defense has already seen Finley previously as the sophomore went 14/28 for 144 yards and a touchdown last season when Finley was at LSU. The Crimson Tide sacked Finley four times that game and will be key for pass rushers such as Anderson and Turner to provide pressure often.
Prediction
The Crimson Tide come into this game knowing that they cannot afford to pick up a second loss, but it will surely not be an easy task going into a tough road environment in Jordan-Hare, a place they haven’t won at since 2015.
These are two different teams heading in two different directions as Alabama will face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game next week, while Auburn is looking to avoid their fourth consecutive loss to finish the regular season. It is no secret that the Tigers would love to spoil any hopes that Alabama has of the College Football Playoff, but is an Auburn upset capable of happening here?
Yes, but when looking at the two teams overall, this is clearly Alabama’s game to lose.
Next. Alabama vs Auburn bold predictions. dark
This game will likely play out similarly to that previously mentioned 2015 contest with a big game on the ground from Robinson likely, as well as at least two touchdowns through the air from Young. Expect the Crimson Tide to take a one-to-two score lead into the half, and to pull away in the second half.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Auburn 17