Alabama vs. Auburn odds, prediction, betting trends for Iron Bowl on CBS

Bill Bender

Alabama vs. Auburn odds, prediction, betting trends for Iron Bowl on CBS image

No. 3 Alabama meets Auburn on Saturday in the Iron Bowl. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Alabama, Ala. The game will be televised on CBS.  

Alabama (10-1) will look to put the final touch on another run through its division before the highly-anticipated SEC championship game matchup against No. 1 Georgia. Quarterback Bryce Young is building on what could be a Heisman Trophy season, and Nick Saban is 9-5 in the Iron Bowl, but that includes a 3-4 record at Auburn. 

MORE: It's a two-man race for the Heisman

Auburn (6-5) has endured an up-and-down season under first-year coach Bryan Harsin, but that record goes out the window against their in-state rival. Quarterback T.J. Finley will get another start in place of Bo Nix, who was lost for the season with a fractured ankle. The Tigers must run the ball effectively around Tank Bigsby to have a chance. 

MORE: Week 13 picks | Bowl projections

It's always high theater in the SEC when the Crimson Tide and Tigers meet, and the pressure is on Alabama on the road. With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about betting on the Iron Bowl. 

Alabama vs. Auburn odds 

  • Spread: Alabama -19.5
  • Over/under: 55.5
  • Moneyline: Alabama -1250, Auburn +710

Three trends to know  

— The Tigers are 4-2 S/U at home this season, but the only game they were an underdog was against Georgia. Auburn lost 34-10 and failed to cover the spread in that game. 

— The Crimson Tide are 6-5 ATS this season, and they have been favored by double digits in every game. In SEC West play, Alabama is 2-3 ATS. 

— Alabama has been favored in six of the last seven Iron Bowls at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and the Crimson Tide is just 2-5 ATS in those games. Alabama did cover as a double-digit favorite in two of those three games. A look at those results: 

YEAR SPREAD RESULT
2007 AUB -4.5 AUB 17-10
2009 ALA -10 ALA 26-21
2011 ALA -21 ALA 42-14
2013 ALA -9.5 AUB 34-28
2015 ALA -14.5 ALA 29-13
2017 ALA -4.5 AUB 26-14
2019 ALA -3.5

AUB 48-45

MORE: Bo Nix says refs favor Alabama

Three things to watch  

— Alabama's passing attack. Young is on a five-game tear since the loss to Texas A&M. In that stretch, he's averaging 370 passing yards per game with 18 TDs and no interceptions. Young also is completing 78.9 percent of his passes in that stretch. If Auburn cannot slow that down, then there will not be much to this game. The Tigers rank 11th in the SEC in pass defense and allow 10.9 yards per catch. This is a huge challenge for Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason.

— T.J. Finley's completion percentage. Finley has filled in for Nix, and the transfer quarterback has passed for three TDs and zero interceptions. That said, he has a 52.3 completion percentage. Auburn is 1-4 against FBS schools this season when their quarterbacks complete less than 60% of their passes, and Alabama has allowed a 63.9% completion percentage for the year. Finley must take advantage of those opportunities in the passing game.

— Will Anderson Jr. Is there a more-dominating defensive player in college football? Anderson has 13.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss. He also leads the Crimson Tide with eight quarterback hurries. That's going to be a challenge to keep Finley in comfortable situations, especially on third and long.

Stat that matters

Alabama has allowed more than 100 yards rushing in just three games this season. They've allowed 285 passing yards or more in four games, and that includes the loss to Texas A&M and close call against Arkansas last week. Auburn will try to limit Alabama's possessions by focusing on the running game, but at some point they will have to take chances with Finley. Alabama's secondary has had a few inopportune breakdowns this year, but eight different players have an interception.

Alabama vs. Auburn prediction

It's not just about Young. It's the supporting cast. Brian Robinson, Jr. averages 4.9 yards per carry with 14 rushing TDs, and the tandem of Jameson Wiliams (1,218 yards, 13 TDs) and John Metchie III (895 yards, 7 TDs) have been consistent all season. All three will find the end zone. Alabama's history at Jordan-Hare Stadium is worth knowing, but the Tigers face an uphill battle against an offensive machine prepping for the ultimate test against Georgia. Alabama will not be stopped here.

Final score: Alabama 38, Auburn 20

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.