Alabama vs Auburn Iron Bowl NCAA Football Odds Preview

Posted by Daniel Strum on Friday,November 27, 2015 12:06, EDT in

If you want to know why the Alabama Crimson Tide are a great college football betting choice when they visit the dysfunctional Auburn Tigers in their Week 13 SEC showdown, then read on!

How To Bet the Tigers vs Crimson Tide Iron Bowl NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, November 28, 2015
Where: Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
TV: ABC
NCAAF Odds: Alabama -14.5
Over/Under: 48.5

Why Bet on Auburn (5-5 SU, 2-7-1 ATS)

I know the Tigers got a nice, 56-34 win over lowly Idaho last week despite failing to cash in as a whopping 33-point home favorite, but the fact of the matter is that Auburn has largely been its own worst enemy this season. The Tigers have dropped three of its last five games and five of its last nine games and enter their Week 13 date against the Crimson Tide with uncertainty at the quarterback position.

Head coach Gus Malzahn has yet to pick a starter between junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson or redshirt freshman Sean White against Alabama. “We’ve got two guys we feel good about that both have experience and both have won games on the road and in our league,” Malzahn told reporters. “Really, I’m looking at it more as a positive at this point in the season.”

Johnson passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in last Saturday’s win over Idaho but has thrown seven costly interceptions this season.

Why Bet on Alabama (10-1 SU, 6-5 ATS)

Second-ranked Alabama has won eight straight games coming into this contest including their 56-6 scrimmage against Charleston Southern as a 40-point favorite last weekend. If the Tide can win out, they’re a lock for the four-team College Football Playoff. “Our team has created an opportunity for themselves,” Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said. “I think it’s all about staying focused on what you need to do to play your best football on the road and not letting outside noise affect your ability to focus on what you need to do to play well against a very, very good team.”

Junior running back Derrick Henry is on a red-hot roll lately and has increased his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy. Henry (1,526 yards, 21 touchdowns) has joined Mark Ingram (1,658 in 2009) and Trent Richardson (1,679 in 2011) as the only running backs I school history to reach 1,500 rushing yards in a season. Henry is also tied with Richardson for the school record in rushing scores (21).

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in a long time about a team, since my freshman year,” said gifted linebacker Reggie Ragland, a Dick Butkus Award finalist. “These guys, everybody’s just communicating. Every time you walk into the locker room, you just feel at home and at peace. (There’s) no animosity, anything like that. I just feel great about this team, man.

Alabama can clinch a berth in the SEC Championship game with a win in this contest.

My Expert Alabama vs Auburn NCAA Football Lines Game Analysis:

Look, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Alabama is going to put a big-time hurting on Auburn in this contest, making the only real question whether or not the Tide will cover the spread as two-touchdown-plus road favorites. I believe Alabama will once again show its dominance, particularly on the defensive side of the ball by pounding whoever starts at quarterback for Auburn while simultaneously pounding them with their powerful rushing attack.

Alabama is 4-1 ATS in its last five games and that’s nice. However, if you’re worried about the Crimson Tide’s uninspiring 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road, don’t be! Remember, Auburn is just 2-13-1 ATS in its last 16 games and a winless 0-4-1 ATS in its last five home games. Bet the Alabama Crimson Tide to cover the spread!

My Pick: Alabama 38 Auburn 21