Saturday’s Iron Bowl between Auburn and No. 13 Alabama is a must-win game for each team.
For the home-standing Crimson Tide, a win boosts its chances of earning a seat at the College Football Playoff table. On the other side, Auburn needs a victory to claim bowl eligibility and to run its winning streak to three games.
Which side will emerge victorious? The experts at USA TODAY Sports have submitted their predictions for every top-25 contest throughout “rivalry week,” including this Saturday’s Iron Bowl. The panel of Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken have made their picks for the game. As expected, all six experts have Alabama winning its fifth-straight Iron Bowl.
Not only will Saturday’s game be crucial to both team’s successes, but both teams also enter the game on opposite ends of momentum. The Tigers have won two-straight games including last Saturday’s four-overtime thriller over then-No. 14 Texas A&M. A win over Alabama would allow Auburn to carry momentum into next week’s early signing day as well as bowl season.
Alabama has lost three games in the regular season for the first time since 2010 and is looking to avoid its first four-or-more loss season since 2007. The Crimson Tide is down on its luck after losing to unranked Oklahoma on the road last Saturday, 24-3, and wants to hop back into the win column by gaining a win over its bitter rival.
The 89th Iron Bowl will take place Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Watch the game live on ABC.
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