Auburn game-by-game predictions: Running the table possible, but brutal path awaits

Gus Malzahn and his Auburn team eye an SEC title and playoff spot in 2018. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Gus Malzahn and his Auburn team eye an SEC title and playoff spot in 2018. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
13 of 14
auburn football-season preview
Will Auburn see Tua Tagovailoa (13) or Jalen Hurts in the Iron Bowl? (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Auburn at Alabama

When: Nov. 24
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Time: TBD
TV: TBD

Auburn has lost three in a row against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, all by at least 11 points. The last time the Tigers left Bryant-Denny with a win was in 2010 when Cam Newton led that beautiful comeback from a 24-0 hole which propelled Auburn to the SEC title and then BCS championship.

It won’t be easy breaking that three-game losing skid.

It will be interesting to see what Alabama has become on offense by the end of the season. Did Tua Tagovailoa take hold of the quarterback job and become a Heisman candidate like so many have predicted? Or did Jalen Hurts step in and lead the Crimson Tide to a lot of wins like he’s done the last two seasons?

Who knows?

What we do know is that Alabama will bring one of the nation’s best defenses to the field as it always does. We know the Tide will be hungry to avenge last season’s 26-14 Auburn victory.

It’s likely that the winner of this game moves on to the Dec. 1 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta the following week. It’s also likely that both teams could still hold onto College Football Playoff hopes win or lose after this game.

This one will be decided by less than 10 points and the home-field advantage matters.

Prediction: Alabama 24, Auburn 21 | Record: 11-1, 7-1 in SEC