No. 13 Alabama (8-3) is looking to bounce back from its 24-3 upset loss to Oklahoma in Week 13 when it hosts Auburn (5-6) on Saturday. The three-loss Crimson Tide are clinging to the College Football Playoff conversation by a thread in the final week of the regular season.
During ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast, Lee Corso made his prediction for the Iron Bowl. Corso thinks Auburn will earn its second straight win over a top 25 team, as the Tigers knocked off then-No. 15 Texas A&M in Week 13.
“After last week, Auburn is hot,” Corso said. “Alabama is not. Auburn is looking for a big upset and they can get it if Payton Thorne plays a great game. Coach Freeze has beaten Alabama two times in his career. Not many people can say that. I think it’s a big upset. Watch it this week. Auburn versus Alabama.”
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban disagreed with Corso’s prediction. Saban thinks the Crimson Tide have an opportunity to strive for greatness a week after being embarrassed on national television. The 73-year-old coaching legend issued his response to Corso as a challenge for Alabama.
“Not so fast,” Saban said. “Adversity causes some to break and some to be great. And that’s Alabama‘s challenge today.”
Per ESPN BET, the Crimson Tide are 10.5-point favorites to defeat Auburn on Saturday. Alabama has won four consecutive Iron Bowl matchups.
The Tigers’ last win in the rivalry game was a 48-45 thriller in 2019 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn has not defeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa since 2010.
Alabama leads the overall series 50-37-1. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
