The Alabama Crimson Tide has had a strange year. Losing to only LSU and still with a chance to play in the National Championship game, Alabama is on top of the world. Now, they have to go to Auburn to play a game on the plains. Can they keep up good intensity and close out a solid season? Or will Auburn rise up at home and put up a fight against the Tide? If you are looking to handicap this game, then you need to think long and hard about the emotions at play. Alabama lost a close game after dominating the first half against Auburn last year.

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In any other scenario, this might be a sleepwalk game for Alabama. They are on the road against a team that has been bad for the better part of the year. They will know their SEC championship fate after the Arkansas/LSU game on Friday afternoon. So can they get up to face Auburn? Two things say yes. For one, this is one of the most intense rivalries that you will find in college football picks. The Iron Bowl brings out the best in Alabama and Auburn and it is unlikely that either team will fail to prepare. The second factor is Nick Saban. He is a monster and tends to prepare his team well in all circumstances.

Auburn has some major problems stopping the run. They have been torched by pedestrian offenses this year and have been buried by the good offenses. They have made a habit of losing by big numbers to almost every good team on their schedule this year. How they are ranked is a mystery. Alabama can run the ball with the best of them. Expect the Tide to lean on Trent Richardson and pound the football down Auburn’s throat. The 21 point spread might seem like a lot, but it truly is not in this instance. Alabama will shut down Auburn and run out to a big lead, coasting to the finish. Don’t take the bait here.

Posted by Wunderdog’s Trusty sidekick ” Wundercat “