Members of the Times-Journal staff were asked to pick Saturday’s Iron Bowl between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Auburn. Three of the staff members picked Alabama. The average score was Alabama 30, Auburn 21.

Daniel Evans, Sports Editor

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed when picking a big game like this season’s Iron Bowl. But, sometimes we over-complicate things. Sure, Auburn is the home team and is hot. Nobody, including Alabama, wants to see the Tigers right now and given the right set of circumstances — a fast start, an Alabama turnover or two (uncharacteristic mistakes for the Tide) and a few breaks here or there — the upset could happen.

On paper, Alabama is the easy pick because they have better athletes and more talent. They also have the better and more experienced quarterback, which tends to be a big factor in these types of games. Auburn’s only big advantage is the home crowd.

So, I think I’ll take the team that has more talent, the nation’s best coach and a quarterback who doesn’t make mistakes.

The Pick: 

Alabama 34, Auburn 23

 

Dennis Palmer, Publisher

This year’s Iron Bowl “for the ages” will come down to whether the top ranked Crimson Tide can stop Auburn’s running game. Auburn, which has seemingly run with ease against every opponent they have faced this year will line up against a stingy Alabama defense that’s allowing only 91 rushing yards per game and ranks third in the nation in total defense.

Beyond being able to rush on Bama’s D, the key for Auburn is going to be pressuring A.J. McCarron into making bad decisions. Auburn gets the edge with home field advantage and should keep it close the first half, but Bama’s depth and ability to finish will allow them to punch their ticket to Atlanta with a 34-17 win to make it three Iron Bowls in a row and five of the last six.

The Pick: 

Alabama 34, Auburn 17

 

Josh Bergeron, Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again — time for the biggest rivalry in college football. The Crimson Tide are an unsurprising favorite in this year’s Iron Bowl, but it will be one of the more exciting matchups in recent history. Alabama is ranked No. 1 in nearly every imaginable poll. In the AP and BCS Poll, Auburn is ranked No. 4.

As much as this LSU alumnus hates to admit it, Alabama is in the midst of a dynasty, but Auburn is having its best year since Cam Newton was a Tiger. Since losing to LSU, Auburn has been on a roll, beating Texas A&M, Georgia, Arkansas and Tennessee.

I think the home-field advantage is a big factor in this one and it will be just as close as everyone expects.

The Pick: 

Auburn 28, Auburn 27

 

Jay Sowers, Staff Writer

It’s rivalry week in college football: Ole Miss played Mississippi State on Thanksgiving, Oregon plays host to Oregon State and Ohio State and Michigan square off again in The Big House.

Those are bitter rivalries that determine bragging rights for the next 364 days, but they don’t come close to Alabama versus Auburn. Not this year.

Number one against number four. Neighbor against neighbor, brother against sister, boyfriend against girlfriend.

Since he arrived in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban has lead his team through the process and to the top of the college football world.

Auburn has already shown us this season they can win games with nothing but luck, and I think they do it again.

The Pick: 

Auburn 24, Alabama 23

 

Sarah Robinson,  Staff Writer

I suspect that the 2013 Iron Bowl will not be too fun for Auburn University’s football fans, because the University of Alabama football team is going to leave Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday with yet another win.

Even as an Alabama graduate and Alabama fan, I can admit that winning the Iron Bowl won’t be an easy win for the Crimson Tide this year.

The Auburn Tigers have improved greatly from the terrible season they had last year, so they will actually be a threat this time around.

But in the end, their efforts will only get them so far.

I like Alabama to run away with the game in a win that puts them back into the SEC Championship game next week.

The Pick: 

Alabama 35, Auburn 17