Auburn at No. 13 Alabama: 2:30 p.m. CT, Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first Iron Bowl comes with his team’s playoff hopes seemingly dashed after a shocking loss in Norman versus Oklahoma last week. According to ESPN, Alabama has just a 37.4% chance of making the College Football Playoff, but to give it the possible one-spot boost it needs to make the playoff, the Crimson Tide must first find a way to win the Iron Bowl.
Auburn is coming off a 43-41 overtime win over then-No. 15 Texas A&M at home. It comes into the Iron Bowl with plenty of motivation, boasting a 5-6 record and needing a win to make a bowl game. The Tigers will look to do many of the same things that helped Vanderbilt and Oklahoma succeed in wins versus Alabama this season. Defensively, the goal will be to make quarterback Jalen Milroe as uncomfortable as possible while neutralizing his rushing impact. On offense, if Auburn can avoid turnovers and run the ball effectively, it’ll have a chance to knock out the Crimson Tide.
With its playoff hopes on life support, Alabama has to win the Iron Bowl on Saturday to have any chance of getting into the 12-team playoff field. The Crimson Tide put up just 3 points on the road last week, so it needs to reignite the fire that was present in games like the 49-13 win versus LSU. Performances like that one prove that this team can still play at a high level. Spreading the ball on offense and stopping the run will be the keys to success for Alabama this week.
While Auburn certainly does have the talent to hand the Crimson Tide its fourth loss of the season, Alabama will regain focus and eke out an Iron Bowl victory, bringing a 9-3 record to the end of the first regular season of the DeBoer era.
Prediction: Alabama 20, Auburn 17
Where to watch: ABC
No. 8 Tennessee at Vanderbilt: 11 a.m. CT, FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Losses from Alabama and Ole Miss last week significantly boosted the Volunteers’ chances of making the College Football Playoff. Vanderbilt will look to play spoiler in rivalry week, and it has proven this season that it is a team capable of pulling off an upset.
The Commodores come off of back-to-back losses and are looking to end their season on a high note this week versus their rival, Tennessee. To pull off the upset at home, they will look to contain the Volunteers’ elite running game while finding ways to get points on the board. Vanderbilt hasn’t scored more than 24 points in a game since the upset win over Alabama on Oct. 5.
Tennessee will likely lock up a playoff spot with a win this week. To do so, the Volunteers must lean on star running back Dylan Sampson, who has been impressive all season. They will be well-positioned to win as long as the offense can produce.
This week, Tennessee will be incredibly focused on the task at hand. Gunning for the College Football Playoff bid, the Volunteers will easily defeat Vanderbilt.
Prediction: Tennessee 37, Vanderbilt 14
Where to watch: ABC
No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M: 6:30 p.m. CT, Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
The winner of this matchup will play for an SEC championship on Dec. 7. Those stakes alone are high enough to get fans excited for this game.
Coming off a four-overtime loss at Auburn, the Aggies must win this game and likely win the conference to make it to the College Football Playoff. Catching Texas off guard with the quarterback run game and shoring up the defense could be the difference in this game.
After last weekend’s chaos, the Longhorns will probably be in the playoff, even with a loss. Regardless, in this game Texas has to contain the run and ensure it doesn’t become stagnant on offense to find success.
In what could be the biggest game in Kyle Field’s history, the Aggies will pull off a milestone win in low-scoring fashion, advancing to the SEC championship game.
Prediction: Texas A&M 17, Texas 16
Where to watch: ABC
