Auburn at Alabama: How to watch, tips and odds as Crimson Tide tries to sneak back into the CFP

Neither Auburn nor Alabama are playing for a spot in the SEC Championship Game, but this year’s edition of the Iron Bowl is still significant. The Tigers need a win to qualify for the bowl, while the heavily favored Crimson Tide hope to keep their College Football Playoff chances alive and avoid their first four-loss season in nearly 20 years.

Auburn at No. 13 Alabama

Auburn (5-6, 2-5 SEC) kept its postseason hopes alive with a thrilling 43-41 win in four overtimes against Texas A&M last Saturday. Quarterback Payton Thorne (301 yards, two touchdowns) and running back Jarquez Hunter (130 yards, three touchdowns) did most of the damage as Auburn nearly doubled its season-high for points in a conference game.

Now the Tigers are trying to maintain their offensive momentum against an Alabama defense (8-3, 4-3) that has just been overrun. The Crimson Tide gave up 257 rushing yards in a 24-3 loss at Oklahoma last week. That’s the most since Auburn put up 318 points on the floor in its Iron Bowl win in 2022.

Hunter ranks second in the SEC in rushing, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He should get plenty of opportunities against an Alabama defense that gives up 160 yards on the ground per game to conference opponents.

The Crimson Tide’s offense also struggled last week, posting season lows in points, total yards (264) and rushing yards (70). As quarterback Jalen Milroe goes, so does Bama. Six of his nine interceptions this season came in the team’s three losses, and he played no role in the running game, totaling 28 rushing yards in those games.

Alabama has won four straight Iron Bowls and eight of the last 10. The Crimson Tide also haven’t lost to the Tigers in Tuscaloosa since 2010.

Auburn at Alabama odds

Expert tips against the spread

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(Photo by Germie Bernard: Brandon Sumrall / Getty Images)