The earth has made another revolution around the sun, and now the Iron Bowl awaits both Alabama and Auburn football in Week 13, aka the final week of the 2022 college football regular season.
This season has been a much different one than in years past, with the Crimson Tide not in a position to make the College Football Playoff for just the second time since its inception in 2014 and AU stumbling into the finale having faltered its way to a losing record.
Alabama comes into this one having put away Ole Miss in its last SEC matchup during Week 11, but their loss to LSU on November 5 likely sealed their fate following an October 15 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville. By and large, the Tide have been more undisciplined than ever under Nick Saban this season, at one point leading the nation in penalties back in October. While their offense has produced the fourth-highest point total in the nation this season, their defense was exposed against two versatile dual-threats in Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and LSU’s Jayden Daniels in their two losses — performances that saw Alabama give up an average of 42 points in those contests.
As for Auburn football, it has been a tale of two coaching staffs. The initial group, headed by Bryan Harsin, got little from its offensive line and secondaries, while the post-Harsin firing coaching staff led by Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has seemingly brought out the best in the program across the depth chart. AU is 2-1 since Cadillac took over, with their latest 41-17 win over Western Kentucky being perhaps their best win of the season considering oddsmakers were expecting a close game.
Could the Tigers upset the Tide and punch their ticket to a bowl game in 2022, or will Alabama keep their faint College Football Playoff chances alive with its third straight Iron Bowl victory? Fly War Eagle has your odds and a prediction for the CBS-broadcasted matchup at 2:30 pm central (All lines courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook):
Alabama vs. Auburn football Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
Auburn: +22 (-110)
Alabama: -22 (-110)
Moneyline:
Auburn: +1065
Alabama: -2525
Total: 49 (Over -110/Under -110)
Alabama vs. Auburn Prediction
Forget that Alabama is 5-6 against the spread this season. Forget that Auburn is 3-0 ATS since Cadillac Williams took over.
How in the world could sportsbooks look at Alabama this season and project them to stomp out a rival when their two other most heated rivals upset them, albeit on hostile territory for the Tide? The Iron Bowl will have plenty of orange and blue representation since many Alabama fans have checked out with their team out of championship contention, and to think AU won’t come within three touchdowns with so much on the line for the team and the career of Cadillac is insulting.
Shame on Vegas. +22 for the Tigers is free money.
Prediction: Auburn +22 (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.