3 bold predictions for Alabama football in the Iron Bowl against Auburn

It's Thanksgiving, or 48 hours away from the Iron Bowl if you live in the state of Alabama. Crimson Tide fans want nothing more than to be thankful for a fifth straight win over Auburn on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama still holds slim playoff chances, but it would take help from the outside in order to get the Crimson Tide in. But regardless of what's on the line in the aftermath, the Iron Bowl still matters a whole lot to everyone in this state and everyone in both locker rooms.

Last week was a disaster for our bold predictions, which was fitting considering how much of a disaster Alabama's performance was on the road against Oklahoma.

We'll promise to be better with this week's predictions as long as Alabama promises to be better on the football field. We shall see!

3 bold predictions for Alabama football vs. Auburn

3. Ryan Williams scores a touchdown that isn't called back

If there's one player I'm convinced this game means something to, it's 17-year-old freshman WR Ryan Williams. He's an in-state kid and his recruitment came down to Alabama and Auburn. He knows how much this game means, and Auburn LB DeMarcus Riddick's chirping has undoubtedly provided some extra fuel for the phenom.

Williams is one of the few guys who came to play last week in Norman. He scored a touchdown in the first quarter that was taken off the board after replay review showed he was barely out of bounds. In the fourth quarter, Williams made a miraculous catch in the endzone that was ultimately called back due to one of the most erroneous calls in the history of the sport.

I'm still not over it.

This week, I expect Williams to find the endzone again, and this time for the officials not to wave it off.

2. Alabama forces multiple turnovers on defense

Alabama has to win the turnover battle to beat Auburn. They lost it 2-1 last week against Oklahoma. They also lost it in the loss to Vanderbilt earlier in the season.

Auburn has been one of the more turnover-prone teams in the country, though they've done better taking care of the football in the last few weeks. It's not a coincidence that they've played better recently, too.

But also, Auburn is getting a lot of credit for a win over Texas A&M team at home that isn't as good as their record shows. The Tigers are only a few weeks removed from a 17-7 home loss to Vanderbilt. Auburn players are a little too talkative for a 5-6 team. Sure, they're on a two-game winning streak, but one of those wins was over a group-of-five program.

I think Alabama will get some pressure on Auburn QB Payton Thorne and force him into a mistake or two. The Tide's offense will need to take care of the football themselves. If Alabama wins the turnover battle, they should come away with an Iron Bowl win.

1. Jalen Milroe finishes with over 300 yards of total offense

Jalen Milroe is going to leave Tuscaloosa as one of the most polarizing players in the history of Alabama football. He has had ardent supporters and fervent detractors. The truth is Milroe was never as good as his supporters claimed him to be. But he's also not nearly as bad as his detractors think, either.

That last point might be hard to argue further if Milroe struggles against Auburn. He was really bad last week against Oklahoma, but he had little help. The Tide's offensive line was thoroughly beaten by the Sooners. And Nick Sheridan's playcalling did Milroe no favors.

In what will likely be his last game in Bryant Denny Stadium, something tells me Milroe, one of the main reasons as many players stuck around Tuscaloosa following Nick Saban's retirement did, will not go out with a whimper.

I think Milroe has a big day, eclipsing 300 yards of total offense to lead Alabama to its fifth straight Iron Bowl victory, ending a disappointing regular season on a high note.