Auburn shall be out to make historical past within the SEC’s biggest rivalry on Saturday when the Tigers host No. 10 Alabama in a seismic showdown with far-reaching implications. By no means within the Iron Bowl’s expansive historical past has a top-10 Alabama workforce traveled to face an unranked Auburn workforce inside Jordan-Hare Stadium and misplaced.
If that adjustments in 2025, the fallout shall be dire for Alabama. The Crimson Tide seemed like a near-lock to make the Faculty Soccer Playoff simply two weeks in the past. Then got here a loss to Oklahoma, which has eradicated Bama’s margin for error because it heads right into a venue the place issues are by no means straightforward. With a win, Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) might attain the SEC Championship Recreation and cement its standing as a CFP workforce.
Nonetheless, a loss would go away second-year coach Kalen DeBoer with consecutive nine-win common seasons and an 0-for-2 mark on reaching the 12-team playoff. Furor would intensify to an uncomfortable diploma. The Crimson Tide enter as simply 6-point favorites towards their hated in-state foe, although Auburn is 5-6 (1-6) and enjoying beneath interim coach D.J. Durkin.
However unusual issues are inclined to occur when this sport is contested on The Plains. The Crimson Tide’s final two wins at Auburn in 2023 and 2021 got here by a mixed complete of 5 factors towards Tigers groups that completed simply 6-7. Given the stakes and the slim line, it could be no shock if we’re in for one more thriller in 2025.
The place to observe Alabama vs. Auburn reside
Date: Saturday, Nov. 29 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama
TV: ABC | Dwell stream: Fubo (Attempt at no cost)
Comply with alongside for LIVE updates, highlights and evaluation from the Iron Bowl.
Alabama vs. Auburn: Have to know
Auburn’s improved offense: Auburn performed its greatest offensive sport of the season in its first sport following Hugh Freeze’s firing. Although the Tigers fell 45-38 in time beyond regulation at Vanderbilt, they confirmed a brand new and extra thrilling gear with Ashton Daniels unleashed because the beginning quarterback and offensive coordinator Derrick Nix calling the performs. Daniels rested in final week’s win over Mercer to assist protect his redshirt 12 months, however he’ll be within the lineup towards the Crimson Tide. One other beneficiary of Auburn’s offensive development following Freeze’s firing has been receiver Cam Coleman. The star sophomore made 10 catches for 143 yards and a landing towards Vandy.
Ty Simpson’s turnovers: After thriving as a clutch playmaker and fierce protector of the soccer throughout an eight-game successful streak, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has picked up a case of the “whoopsie daisies” as of late. He was intercepted and fumbled within the Crimson Tide’s loss to Oklahoma and was additionally picked off twice within the first half of final week’s win over Japanese Illinois. Whereas Simpson’s play unquestionably helped elevate Alabama after a shocking Week 1 loss at Florida State, his latest regression is a priority heading into the Iron Bowl. For higher or worse, the decision on his redshirt junior season shall be rendered largely primarily based on his efficiency towards Auburn.
Solely as soon as earlier than: It is by no means occurred inside Jordan-Hare Stadium earlier than, however there’s one instance from this rivalry’s illustrious historical past of a top-10 Alabama workforce dropping to an unranked Auburn squad. It got here in 2002, when a 7-4 Auburn workforce knocked off No. 9 Alabama 17-7 throughout Dennis Franchione’s second and ultimate season as coach. Bama was serving a postseason ban that 12 months, which solely magnified the Auburn sport’s significance because the barometer of a profitable season. The Tigers jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead and ended Alabama’s five-game successful streak.
Alabama vs. Auburn prediction, picks
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has been a bit rickety as of late, however he is efficiently navigated quite a few tense conditions involving critical sport strain and will not be rattled by this atmosphere. Auburn’s quarterback group does not carry the identical successful pedigree, and whereas the Tigers are a menace to run the soccer, Bama’s run protection has improved considerably within the season’s second half. The Tigers will have the ability to transfer the soccer some, however the Crimson Tide are masters of making massive turnovers and developing with clutch stops. If Simpson returns to kind, Alabama can achieve second-half separation. Choose: Alabama -6
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