BSNblog

Auburn Alabama Betting – Friday, 2:30 PM ET

The No.2 Tigers (11-0, 7-0) were off last week, meaning they had two weeks to prepare for their fourth and toughest road game of the season. Cam Newton takes his Heisman hopes to Tuscaloosa, and he’s done an excellent job of putting his off-field problems behind him, at least when he’s on the field. Newton is the key to the No.6 offense in the country, and the Tigers are third in rushing, but people forget that Newton is second in the nation in passer rating. The Tigers’ Achilles Heel is a defense that is prone to giving up the big play as they’re 100th in the country against the pass, and even those who check out NHL scores will tell you, defense wins championships.

The No.11 Crimson Tide (9-2, 5-2) made short work of Georgia State in a 63-7 beating at home, as they were up 42-7 by halftime, which means Alabama could rest their starters. Greg McElroy was 12-of-13 for 159 yards and two touchdowns for the Crimson Tide, who gained 478 yards while holding Georgia State to 165 yards. The Crimson Tide ran for 262 yards themselves, and this was a glorified practice session for Alabama, who essentially had a bye, but did just enough to keep the rust off in time for this massive showdown.

The Crimson Tide are favored by 4.5 points according to betting services, and even though the Tigers are 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five trips to Tuscaloosa, that SU loss was a 36-0 trouncing at the hands of the Crimson Tide in 2008. This will be much closer, and while we think Alabama will win straight up, we think Auburn will keep it closer than the 4.5-point spread. Newton rolled over the toughest defense he faced this year in LSU, and even though that was at home, we think Newton will be ready for them. The problem is a defense that won’t be able to stop the Alabama aerial attack, led by McElroy and Julio Jones. If you’re going to pick the game straight up, go with Alabama, but if you want to go against the online sports betting spread, roll with Auburn.