Alabama vs Auburn predictions, how can the Crimson Tide win Iron Bowl

This Iron Bowl carries weight for Alabama football.

With a road matchup against rival Auburn looming, the Tigers separate the Crimson Tide from an SEC championship appearance and, potentially, a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Crimson Tide is the consensus road favorite. BetMGM has Alabama as a 6-point favorite against the Tigers.

Alabama kicks off against Auburn at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 29 on ABC.

Here are The Tuscaloosa News' predictions for Alabama vs. Auburn.

Alabama vs Auburn predictions

• Colin Gay: If there's one thing to predict for an Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium, it's expect the unexpected. But the question for Alabama remains clear going in: can the Crimson Tide offense do enough against Auburn's pass rush and run defense to complement an Alabama defense that is playing with its hair on fire? If so, the Crimson Tide will punch its ticket to Atlanta.

• Chase Goodbread: A low-scoring affair. Both defenses are playing on top of their games, while neither offense is. Touchdowns will come at a premium, and any non-offensive scores will be game-changers. Special teams could play a big role, as well.

• Adam Cole: Auburn looks much different under interim head coach DJ Durkin. Its offense is the highlight, and its defense hasn't shined in a small sample size. The Tigers have enough pieces offensively to put up a fight, but do they have enough on the back end to limit the likes of Ty Simpson? That'll be the linchpin in what's poised to be another wacky Iron Bowl installment on the Plains.

Alabama vs Auburn scouting report: What we're watching

• Colin Gay: Who becomes Ty Simpson's safety net in the pass game? As the pocket collapses, who will the Crimson Tide quarterback turn to for a sure completion? The production of Daniel Hill or Jam Miller in the pass game, or in players like Lotzeir Brooks, Germie Bernard or even freshman tight end Kaleb Edwards could make or break this Iron Bowl.

• Chase Goodbread: Can Alabama hit the deep ball in the passing game? Alabama needs Ty Simpson to make Auburn pay for blitzing and playing tight on short passes, something he couldn't do against Oklahoma. That could require the old Ryan Williams to emerge.

• Adam Cole: Can Auburn's offense grind on the ground against the Crimson Tide? Alabama's last three SEC opponents averaged 2.7 yards per carry. That's a troubling sign for the Tigers, who couldn't muster much from their running backs against FCS Mercer. The run game has been Auburn's catalyst for competent offense against the SEC, and it'll need a spark Saturday.

Alabama vs Auburn score predictions

• Colin Gay: No. 10 Alabama 24, Auburn 17

• Chase Goodbread: No 10 Alabama 17, Auburn 13

• Adam Cole: No. 10 Alabama 41, Auburn 38

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama vs Auburn score predictions, keys to victory in Iron Bowl