PRESS PICKS IRON BOWL EDITION: Tide should roll Saturday
STAFF REPORT
The annual bash is here and the local media has spoken.
Alabama will win the Iron Bowl and by a significant margin.
All of the panel picked the Crimson Tide to beat Auburn this Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Nevermind Nick Saban will be at home, the Tide still rolls.
Here is their brief comments on the game with a score.
Michael Butler – WTLS Radio/Lindy’s Football Report
Auburn's 48-45 win last year ended the Crimson Tide's chances of making the CFP. We've all heard about the two Mac Jones' Pick Six's from that game too. Jones has certainly rebounded and is a legitimate Heisman candidate.
Gus Malzahn has held his own against Nick Saban, unlike any other coach in the SEC. He'll have a couple of wrinkles to unveil. He always does.
The Bo Nix-to-Seth Williams connection is good. The AU running game has several options with a QB who can run, as well.
On the flip side, you'll be hard pressed to find a better offense than Bama. The Tide has the best offensive line in the SEC with the top players at quarterback, running back and receiver. They even have a kicker this year.
Wacky things have happened in the series but usually on the Plains. The difference is greater than a little bit between the two teams this season.
Even though Gus says he has a good team. Nick has a great one. The braggin' rights return to T-town. No need to throw out the record books. Alabama, 45-27
Doug Amos – ESPN The Ticket/Troy Trojans Network
Auburn seems to have definitely improved, and Bo Nix looks comfortable in the Chad Morris-led offense. Despite the COVID restrictions, there still is a home-field advantage in college football, and Auburn has lost the last four in Tuscaloosa. In addition, I think Alabama’s offensive line will be the key in giving Mac Jones time to make plays and Najee Harris holes to run through. Alabama, 37-20
Rick Hendrick – WXFS “95.1 The Fox”
Alabama is the clear favorite in this year’s Iron Bowl with their explosive offense and the fact that the game is at Bryant-Denny. However, this is the Iron Bowl and I believe that Auburn will show up and keep it close but Alabama wins the game. Possible shootout. Alabama, 49-31
Barry McKnight – SportsRadio 740/Troy Trojans Network
Even without Nick Saban on the sideline, Alabama's balance offensively will give Auburn's defense huge difficulties. I think Auburn will score, but Alabama will score more and, let me check, that should give Alabama the win. Alabama, 44-21
Mike Peacock – River Region Sports
The 2020 Iron Bowl is like everything else has been this year - different. Not many fans, not the final regular season game, Saban testing positive, the list goes on. The game will be a good one, but Alabama is at home and their rust did not seem as profound as Auburn’s last week. Alabama’s offense is very good and, despite their defense not being great, it pains me to say it, the Bammers will win with a late score sewing it up. Alabama, 38-27
Darrell Puckett – Formerly Alabama News Network
Bo Nix tosses two picks and is unable to convert enough third downs. No Saban means Bama will play crazy good (against popular belief). Alabama, 42-10
Mike Tankersley – River Region Sports
I think it could be more competitive than a few years ago. I don’t think Auburn is as good as we once thought. Alabama is going to score a lot of points. They can establish the run and they are not dependent on just one thing. Bama will play well on defense. Alabama, 38-17
Graham Dunn – Publisher, River Region Sports
There is no need to wax poetic about this one. Alabama has significant advantages at most positions. The Crimson Tide has the advantage of home field – yes, even in a COVID world. They’ve dominated at home since Saban became head coach (average score – Bama 41, Auburn 17). No, he will not be on the sideline Saturday but that doesn’t take away from the other advantages. Unless it becomes a turnover fest, Tide rolls to a win. Alabama, 44-24
Tim Gayle – River Region Sports
Somehow, just because of how wacky this game is, I expect Auburn to put together one of their best games and frustrate the heck out of Nick Saban, who will be sitting at home wondering why DC Pete Golding didn’t call this alignment on that play. But without a pair of offensive linemen and their best tailback, it’s just hard to imagine the Tigers scoring more than 30 points. And on the flip side of that, even without Saban and Jaylen Waddle, it’s hard to think that Alabama won’t put up a lot of points. Their offense wasn’t quite this good a year ago and put up 45 points in Jordan-Hare. Alabama, 48-30