Auburn (5-6, 2-5 SEC) at Alabama (11-0, 7-0)
Saturday’s Iron Bowl means everything to Alabama and nothing to Auburn, yet you know the Tide are on upset alert – especially having lost six straight to the Tigers in this series. Bama is a 14.5-point favorite to end that losing streak on WagerWeb.com.
On the surface, it’s hard to see the Crimson Tide losing. Nick Saban will have his team ready, with any talk of the SEC title game or even national championship game not allowed at all this week. Plus it’s hard to see how Auburn’s offense, ranked 107th in the nation in scoring, will mount much of an effort against a Tide defense ranked No. 3 in the country overall. That unit has forced sixth turnovers in the past three games and has held three of the past four opponents to fewer than 10 points. Alabama has allowed just three rushing TDs this year, the fewest in the nation.
In addition, Auburn has lost four straight conference games and three in a row on the road. Four of the Tigers’ six losses, though, have come by five points or less. And the Tigers still have a good defense: Auburn ranks third in the SEC and 10th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 16.4 points per game.
In the SEC, Alabama ranks No. 2 in scoring offense (31.7), No. 2 in rushing offense (198.5) and No. 1 in time of possession (32:15). QB John Parker Wilson has not thrown for a touchdown in his last four games, but has rushed for three TDs in his last two contests. Glen Coffee leads the way on the ground with 1,091 yards, the SEC’s second-best rushing total.
“We know they’re going to be a running team,” Auburn linebacker Chris Evans said. “You just have to buckle up your chinstrap and make tackles.”
Wilson is Alabama’s career leader in passing and total yards. But he has thrown two touchdown passes and been intercepted three times in his appearances against Auburn and was held to 113 yards last season. But Alabama has won three games this season when he threw for fewer yards than that total.
When Wilson does throw, it’s usually to freshman WR Julio Jones, who leads the Tide with 43 catches for 687 yards and four TDs. Yet the Tide’s passing attack ranks just 10th in the SEC, one spot behind Auburn’s (170.2).
NCAA Betting at WagerWeb.com
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
