Alabama vs. Auburn Point Spread: Picking the Iron Bowl

Week 13 Pick: Alabama at Auburn | Andy Staples | 11.20.23

Auburn isn’t going into the Iron Bowl exactly like they thought. A loss for New Mexico State It was shocking, especially given how dominant the Aggies were. Hugh Frozen admitted that the program and its fans deserve better and will have an instant opportunity to make up for it against Alabama.

Somehow, Auburn’s loss on Saturday was the worst possible thing for Alabama. As it stands, strange things happen when the Iron Bowl is played at Jordan-Hare Stadium. One way or another, that’s just the nature of rivalry: just look at the results when Nick Saban time.

But when an embarrassed team looks to rebound, the energy is just a little higher.

“Auburn is incredibly embarrassed and they should be,” Jake Crain said during Monday’s episode. Andy Staples On3. “This is not an attack on Jerry Kill. This New Mexico State team is not North Alabama or State of Alabama. But most people don’t know that.

“They think, ‘New Mexico State is gambling.’ You should beat them. Auburn was dominated in this game. They weren’t the best team that day. But embarrassment is great fuel.

How to watch the Iron Bowl

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Channel: CBS, FuboTV (streaming)
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn, AL

Auburn could be scary throughout the game, like Georgia

If any other team is aware of the magic that Jordan-Hare Stadium offers, it’s Georgia. Not just from a historical perspective, where the Bulldogs have been on the wrong side of stunning results in the past.

Even this season, Carson Beck and the offense struggled at times. Auburn was able to hang around until the Brock Bowers show broke, ending the home team’s upset bid.

Crain sees something similar unfolding Saturday, leading Auburn to cover the spread by 14.5 points.

“I think it will be a close game for most of it,” Crain said. “And I like Auburn to cover the 14.5. If it goes below 14, I’ll probably take Bama. But don’t be shocked if this game is a little reminiscent of the Georgia game where Auburn hung on, hung on, hung on and Jalen Milroe and they find a way in the end.

Staples speculated that during last week’s practice, Auburn wasn’t exactly preparing for New Mexico State, which may have led to the loss. Freeze was preparing his team for Alabama and trying to get two weeks of preparation in for the game.

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While the Tigers may be well prepared, Staples doesn’t think it will be enough to pull off a massive upset.

“I imagine Auburn will be very prepared for Alabama,” Staples said. “I’m just not sure it matters…I’m going to take Alabama to cover here because I think they’re really starting to roll.”