Offense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama produces big plays and leads the SEC in total offense. Unheralded freshman running back Joshua Jacobs is part of a potent running game and Jalen Hurts is electric as a runner and growing as a passer. Auburn has a strong ground game but is unsettled at quarterback and has been plagued by injuries.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
The gap here isn't as wide as you think. Alabama is giving up 11.4 points per game, while Auburn has yielded 14.3 The Tigers have a strong pass rusher in Carl Lawson, while Alabama has the trio of Tim Williams, Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson. Alabama's strong secondary gives UA the edge.
Special teams
Advantage: Even
Auburn's Daniel Carlson has made 88 percent of his field goal attempts and may be the best kicker in the country. Alabama's JK Scott is booming punts at around a 48.5-yard clip and is also elite. Neither team has an explosive return game, at least not since Alabama's Eddie Jackson got injured.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Give Gus Malzahn credit for reversing Auburn's downward trend from last season and having his team in the hunt in November. Alabama's Nick Saban, however, is on a different level. While other top programs have been up and down, Alabama has been a steady national contender under Saban.
Intangibles
Advantage: Alabama
Auburn has nothing to lose, but Alabama has plenty to gain. The Crimson Tide might make the College Football Playoff even with a loss, but can close out an undefeated regular season with a win here and wants to keep rolling. A berth in the SEC Championship Game awaits, but Alabama won't look ahead.
Prediction
Alabama 21, Auburn 9
The Crimson Tide hasn't given up a touchdown since October, and Auburn's offense fell flat in its last outing against a major college opponent. Alabama might struggle for a bit against Auburn's tough defense, but UA has too many weapons not to break this game open at some point.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 38, Auburn 10
The Iron Bowl. A game where emotions run high and anything can happen, but this year, I think it’s safe to say an Alabama victory is on the horizon. Auburn might have a few big plays early on, but it won’t take long for The Tide to take control.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 30, Auburn 17
This week is bittersweet, its the end of the regular season but its also my favorite game of the year. Nothing beats the Iron Bowl, the rivalry is classic. The Tigers will give it their all but Alabama will come out on top.
Drew Hill
Alabama 33, Auburn 17
After Louisville's loss to Houston last week Jalen Hurts will have a real opportunity to creep up on Lamar Jackson in the Heisman race. There is no bigger stage than the Iron Bowl. With a trip to New York City on the line, Hurts gets the job done. The Crimson Tide roll at home easily.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 30, Auburn 15
Daniel Carlson can kick some field goals. Probably not enough, though. Alabama has no idea who the Auburn quarterback will be, but it won't be the last Tiger QB to win in Tuscaloosa, which is who they probably need for an upset.
Ben Jones
Alabama 27, Auburn 12
This won't be a high-scoring Iron Bowl. Alabama is giving up 11.4 points per game; Auburn allows 14.3. Lane Kiffin and Rhett Lashlee have both earned accolades for their work this year, but both will have to earn their paychecks on Saturday.
Michael Southern
Alabama 31, Auburn 6
The lackluster performance against Chattanooga should be enough of a wake-up call for Alabama not to sleepwalk into the Iron Bowl. Injuries have limited Auburn on offense, so that’s a recipe for disaster against some “pretty hateful guys that play defense” for Alabama.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 24, Auburn 14
This should be a great defensive battle. Alabama has allowed just two field goals in November while Auburn given up just 29 points this month. Also, no team has scored more than 29 points on the Tigers. Look for the Crimson Tide to wear down Auburn and pull ahead in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 30, Auburn 10
Auburn's defensive line is legit, but holding up for four quarters could be an issue without some help from its offense. Alabama eventually wears the Tigers down and pulls away for the win.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 28, Auburn 17
It's not going to be a blowout. Auburn really has nothing to lose, so it's going to throw everything it has out on the field. It'll keep the game interesting for all four quarters. Because of its defense, Alabama will still come out victorious, but remember: Anything can happen in an Iron Bowl.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 45, Auburn 13
ArDarius Stewart's return gets Alabama's offense back on track. Auburn's offense will struggle to move the ball on the ground, but the Tiger's passing game is unable to do much better against a secondary that has yet to really be exploited by the bank absence of Eddie Jackson.
