Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Pick

No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1 SU, 6-5 ATS) vs. Auburn Tigers (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS)

NCAA Football Week 13

Date/Time: Saturday November 27th, 2021. 3:30PM (EST)

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL

TV: CBS

Betting Odds:

Point Spread:ALA -20/AUB +20 (BetNow – Bet your NCAA football picks for FREE this week by taking advantage of a 100% bonus on your first deposit up to $1000 there! They take credit cards!) 

Total: 55

The 2021 rendition of the Iron Bowl will feature the 2nd ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, who are fighting to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive against the unranked Auburn Tigers inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers had a chance to make this a very intriguing Iron Bowl match-up a few weeks ago as they were in the thick of the battle for the SEC West. Instead, Auburn has suffered three straight, including an upset loss last week to South Carolina, which has seemingly derailed the Tigers’ once-promising campaign. Perhaps the only way Auburn could salvage the season is coming up with an upset against their archrival on Saturday.

Before anyone completely writes off Auburn based on recent performances, the Tigers have beat the Crimson Tide in each of the last two Iron Bowl games on the plains at Jordan-Hare. Additionally, Alabama has not exactly been as dominant as its reputation may dictate in recent weeks. Despite being 29 point favorites against LSU and 20 point favorites against Arkansas, the Crimson Tide pulled out close wins in both of those recent contests, which were settled by less than a touchdown. Needless to say, Alabama has not been as dominant as their record may indicate, and perhaps Auburn does not deserve to be 20 point underdogs in this intense rivalry where they have historically performed their best at home against the Crimson Tide.

Auburn QB TJ Finley to start against Alabama

If you have not followed Auburn in recent weeks, then you may not be familiar that recently the Tigers’ lost 3rd-year starter Bo Nix for the season with an ankle injury. Despite battling consistency issues most of his career, Nix was a fierce competitor that often produced big plays; more importantly, he has led the Tigers’ to a prior victory against Alabama. Instead of having a veteran behind center, Auburn will turn to sophomore QB TJ Finley who will be making just his 2nd start of the season. In last week’s road trip against South Carolina, Finley struggled by completing just 17 of 32 passes for 188 yards with a touchdown. The Tigers failed to pose a threat through the air, which is concerning for this week’s match-up against Alabama because, in order for the Tigers’ to pose a threat, they must create scoring opportunities against the Crimson Tide. The latter is averaging 44 points per game.

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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers Betting Analysis

For Auburn to keep this contest competitive, they are going to need a big effort from the defense. The Tigers simply don’t have the firepower to get into a shootout with the Crimson Tide. Arkansas attempted that feat last week, and QB Bryce Young set a school record with 559 passing yards, which resulted in five touchdowns. Young has been phenomenal this season, completing over 70% passing for 38 touchdowns and just three picks. WR Jameson Williams appears to be the next NFL-bound quarterback from Alabama after a 59 catch season that has produced 1,218 yards with 13 touchdowns. Likewise, Alabama still maintains their traditional power rushing attack behind Brian Robinson.

Needless to say, Alabama has plenty of weapons to attack a wilting Auburn defense. Even if Auburn gets a big defensive effort, the question that must be answered is can Auburn create enough scoring opportunities to keep this game within reach? With Finley behind center, I’m expecting Nick Saban’s defense to load the box against Tank Bigsby and force the Tigers into finding another way to move the football. By every stretch of the imagination, this is a great match-up for Alabama’s defense, and rest assured the defense will be under the microscope through this week’s practices after giving up 35 points to the Razorbacks. Before last week’s win against Arkansas, Alabama’s defense had given up 24 or more points on three occasions this season. In each incident, the Alabama defense responded by holding their opponents to 14 points or less in the following game. I would not be surprised to see something similar on Saturday.

Jay’s Pick: I like all the match-ups for Alabama, but I don’t trust them with a 20 point spread. Instead, I like the under 55 here as the best play on the board. Auburvn’s only chance is to keep this game on the ground and slow down the pace. I’m expecting a slower-paced game with a strong performance by the Alabama defense. Take the under 55. Note: Picking winners is obviously the most important facet of football betting. The second is probably getting the best line. Not so far behind in third place is paying the cheapest price. Why in the world would you consider laying -110 odds on your football and basketball bets when you could be laying only -105? Wisen up! Start saving big money TODAY by making the switch to reduced juice sports betting! It cost you NOTHING! Just 5 minutes!