Staff predictions for the 2024 Iron Bowl

One of the most anticipated games of the college football season is just around the corner as the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers will officially meet in the 2024 Iron Bowl this Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.

This year’s version of the Iron Bowl is also significant as both teams have something to play for on Saturday afternoon. Alabama maintains its slim chance of making the College Football Playoff, while Auburn must defeat the Crimson Tide to reach a bowl game.

A game that the Crimson Tide really need to win and in which Alabama needs to make a statement for the College Football Playoff committee. Here’s a look at who won the 2024 Iron Bowl according to our Roll Tide Wire team:

Matt’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 33, Auburn Tigers 20

Auburn hasn’t come to Tuscaloosa since 2010 and left the game with a win. At the time, Cam Newton was the quarterback of a Tigers team that won the national championship later that season. Since then, the Tigers have lost six straight times to the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, none of which were a one-possession game.

While both teams have something to offer in this year’s meeting, the pick to win goes to Alabama, primarily because of home field advantage. Alabama needs an impressive win to keep their slim CFP hopes alive, and I say they get that win on Saturday afternoon.

Sam’s Prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 35, Auburn Tigers 17

The Iron Bowl is anything but an easy win, especially given the Tide’s performance a week ago. However, Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense have had to listen to criticism from Auburn all week. It will also be Alabama’s last chance to impress the committee and make the 12-man team.

Steve’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 28, Auburn Tigers 20

Predicting a winner here feels like foolishness, especially given the performance we saw from the Crimson Tide last week against a five-loss Oklahoma team. I think Jalen Milroe and his teammates are better prepared for this game and are eager to put last week behind them. Still, Auburn isn’t as disappointing as its 5-6 record suggests. They proved that last week against Texas A&M. This is a team that could easily be 8-3 if they had gotten a few breaks. I’ll take Alabama, if only because this game is at home, but I have to see it to believe it.