College Football Odds: SEC Week 13 picks against the spread
Nov 21, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday December 28, 2015
- Time: 2:30 PM Eastern
- Location: Auburn, AL
- TV Channel: CBS
- Spread: Alabama -14.5
- Over/Under Total: 48.5
The Iron Bowl is arguably the most heated rivalry in college football today, and it may very well be the greatest rivalry in college football history. The passion that surrounds Alabama and Auburn 365 days a year is simply unmatched.
While the tendency is to say we should “throw out the record books” when such a bitter rivalry hits the field, this year’s Iron Bowl appears to be a major mismatch. Ranked No. 2 in the nation with a 10-1 record, Alabama weathered the storm that came with a 43-37 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC opener and only needs a win over the Tigers to secure a second straight SEC Western Division title. Auburn, meanwhile, fell far short of preseason expectations and needed a 56-35 victory over Idaho last week just to become bowl eligible.
The Crimson Tide boasts one of the nation’s stingiest defenses and has limited opponents to 14.5 points and 265 total yards of offense per game this season – both of which rank No. 3 in the country. Alabama is even better against the run as opponents have averaged just 77.8 yards on the ground per game this year, which is just one yard shy of Boston College’s nation-leading mark.
While the Auburn offense is trending in the right direction after racking up more than 400 yards in five of its last six games behind running backs Peyton Barber (947 rushing yards, 13 TDs this season) and Jovon Robinson (462 rushing yards, 2 TD) and with quarterback Jeremy Johnson coming off his most efficient performance of the season against Idaho (13-for-19 passing, 193 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 23 rushing yards, 2 TD), it’s difficult to see the Tigers keeping this one close. Especially since we haven’t even mentioned Heisman Trophy front-runner Derrick Henry yet.
Henry, who leads the nation with 21 rushing touchdowns and ranks fourth with 1,582 rushing yards, should have a great day against an Auburn defense that has allowed 417.9 total yards of offense per game this season, including 180.9 rushing yards on average. Take Alabama to cover.
Next: Vanderbilt at Tennessee