No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs Auburn Tigers Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks

• When Alabama has the ball – Can Young keep up the dominant stretch?
• When Auburn has the ball —  Backup QB to face a huge test
• X-factors to watch

Alabama Crimson Tide vs Auburn Tigers Odds

Odds presented by: DraftKings Sportsbook

Alabama vs Auburn Prediction and Picks

This is when we could say the old cliche about rivalries and throwing out the records when these two hated teams meet. However, this one is just a bit too lopsided. The Tigers are down the man who makes their offense go, while Alabama is a win away from an SEC title game.

Typically when Auburn is an underdog at home, they don’t cover, so we’re going to rely on that.

Picks:

Alabama to Cover the Spread -19.5 (-110)

Over 56 (-110)

Garcia’s 2021 record: (21-20)

• Crimson Tide are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss
• Crimson Tide are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games on grass
• Crimson Tide are 1-4 ATS in last 5 road games vs. team with winning home record
• Over is 6-1-1 in Crimson Tide last 8 road games vs. team with winning home record
• Over is 5-2-1 in Crimson Tide last 8 vs. a team with a winning record
• Crimson Tide are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Auburn
• Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 head-to-head meetings
• Tigers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog
• Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog
• Under is 9-3 in Tigers last 12 games as a home underdog
• Under is 5-2 in Tigers last 7 games overall
• Under is 5-2 in Tigers last 7 vs. a team with a winning record

A Different Offensive Formula, but Same Dominant Alabama

For years, Alabama was known as a defensive juggernaut, who could run through you on offense. It seemed the only thing stopping Alabama from winning a national championship every year was not having a top-of-the-line quarterback.

They had solid signal-callers with Greg McElroy, A.J McCarron, and Jake Coker, but it wasn’t until the last trio of quarterbacks – Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones where the Tide truly found themselves those next-level quarterbacks.

Well, hat formula isn’t going anywhere with Bryce Young at the helm and he’s the main reason why the Tide have had one of the best offenses in the land this season.

Young has been arguably the best quarterback in the country, ranking second in the country in touchdowns (38) and QBR (88.7), sixth in yards (3,584 yards) and eighth in interceptions (3). Since his stretch of three straight games with a pick, Young has thrown 18 touchdowns with no interceptions on the past five games.

That doesn’t bode well for an Auburn team that enters this rivalry game reeling, having lost three straight games, including two weeks ago when the defense gave up 43 points to Mississippi State.

With Nix Out It’s Next Man up for Tigers

Ready or not, here they come. The Tide are setting up for a date in the SEC title game against Georgia but first, they have to take out their hated rival on the road.

However, this time around, the Tigers might not have quite as much bite as they’d like, since they’re expected to miss quarterback Bo Nix for a second consecutive contest. In comes TJ Finley, a sophomore who did well in his first start last week but was certainly limited compared to Nix.

Finley went 17-of-32 for 188 yards and a touchdown — something that won’t cut it against the Tide. Auburn relied on its star running back Tank Bigsby instead, who had a great game, with 22 rushes for 164 yards and a touchdown.

He’s tallied 178 rushes for 940 yards and 10 touchdowns and has found the endzone in four of the last five weeks.

But if you know anything about the Bama defense, it’s that they will take away their opponent’s top option. In this case, that’s Bigsby.

X-factors to Watch

WIth Alabama likely focused on slowing Auburn’s rushing attack, it makes the x-factor the passing game, particularly the pass catchers. The problem is, the Tigers don’t have a No. 1 guy. Instead, they have four receivers who have between 27-36 catches and 335-495 yards.

That said, Kobe Hudson seems to be the man to watch. He had a connection with Finely last week, catching eight balls for 107 yards and a score.

On the flipside, Jameson Williams continues to make his case for the Biletnikoff Award, he’s caught 59 balls for 1,218 yards and 13 touchdowns — which rank fifth, first and first respectively in the SEC. He’s dominant and Auburn doesn’t have a corner who can slow him.

How to Watch No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs Auburn Tigers