The much-anticipated first Iron Bowl under head coach Kalen DeBoer is set to take place this Saturday, where No. 13 Alabama will host Auburn. For Alabama, the stakes are high as they cling to faint ambitions of securing a spot in the College Football Playoffs, while Auburn is striving for bowl eligibility.
The Crimson Tide enters the game with the momentum of winning four consecutive matchups against the Tigers, having maintained a strong home record in this rivalry since 2010. DeBoer aims to achieve what no Alabama coach has done since Dennis Franchione: win his debut Iron Bowl.
The showdown is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium and will be broadcast live on ABC.
Key Auburn Players to Watch
1. **Jarquez Hunter (RB)**: The standout running back leads the SEC with an impressive 6.6 yards per carry and has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in four games this season. His performance will be critical if Auburn hopes to upset Alabama.
2. **Jalen McLeod (LB)**: As the primary edge rusher for the Tigers, McLeod excels in disrupting opposing offenses. With 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks this season, he poses a significant challenge for Alabama’s offensive line.
3. **Keandre Lambert-Smith (WR)**: The Penn State transfer has been a vital player for Auburn, leading the SEC with eight touchdown receptions and displaying consistency with multiple 100-yard games in recent outings.
Historical Context
In terms of the historical rivalry, Alabama holds a substantial advantage over Auburn, having won 50 of their 88 clashes, including 12 out of their last 16 meetings. The Crimson Tide last lost at home to Auburn in 2010, creating a formidable home-field advantage.
Offensively, Alabama is leading in several metrics, including third-down conversion percentage and scoring, while both teams show competitive passing games. Defensively, Alabama’s stats are strong, particularly in scoring defense where they rank 11th nationally.
Point Spread and Predictions
Alabama is favored by 11.5 points in the latest betting lines. Predictions suggest a close contest, with the final score projected at Alabama 28, Auburn 24. The history of tightly contested Iron Bowls indicates that anything can happen, and a defensive turnover could be the defining moment in this fierce rivalry.
In conclusion, this game promises to be an exciting chapter in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. With the stakes high for both teams, fans can expect a thrilling battle on the field.