The Iron Bowl certainly have a different feel Saturday when No. 1 Alabama hosts Auburn, which is ranked No. 22 in the first CFP standings.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, the unexpected tends to become the expected.
The rowdy 100,000+ fans won’t be in attendance and either will Alabama coach Nick Saban, who tested positive earlier this week. The point spread continues to hover around Alabama -25.
With that said, here is what a number of analysts as well as former coaches and players have said about the 2020 version of Alabama-Auburn. It should be noted, however, many of the comments were made previous to the news of Saban being out.
The two teams meet Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. ET) and will be live streamed on CBS All Access. CBS will televise the game.
Jason Campbell
Former Auburn quarterback
I think the iron bowl this year is going to be ironic because the stadium won’t be to capacity which could help Bo Nix and the offense communicate without the noise. This game will come down to can Auburn do enough to slow down Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith and can Auburn offense sustain drives to keep Alabama offense on the sideline and control the clock.
Trent Richardson
Former Alabama running back
When it comes to Alabama-Auburn, I never put a 25-point spread on it. I just can’t. It’s a rivalry game. That game determines a lot. You go a whole year waiting on this game. We might win by 14, but I definitely believe in our offense. As long as they are putting up points like they are doing and Mac Jones is playing lights out, Najee (Harris) is on another level right now. The offensive line is powerful. This team is built like that 2011 team. … I can definitely see a 14 to 21-point win.
Reese Dismukes
Former Auburn center
This year has been crazy. It doesn’t feel like Iron bowl week to me, but it’s here. It gives me chills thinking about it. There is nothing like strapping it up and walking into Bryant Denny with 101k people that hate you. Fun times! It won’t be nearly as hostile this year, but I’m happy we were able to make it this far in the season with all the obstacles in everyone’s way. Auburn has a tough challenge. Guys are going to have to step up for those that are banged up, and like every year it will come down to the trenches. Whoever wins up front and protects the football will win. Alabama 35, Auburn 24.
Kenny King
Former Alabama defensive lineman
Alabama has been on a roll through the pandemic. Coach Saban and the coaching staff has done a great job preparing and you can see it every week in the team’s performance. I do not see any change this week when playing Auburn. The Tide will take care of business. Alabama 35, Auburn 14.
Jeremy Ingle
Former Auburn center
Although Auburn has gained some momentum during the last few games I feel some key injuries will hurt especially in the offensive line. Auburn will have to run the ball effectively and win the turnover battle to be in the game in the 4th. Alabama has the edge in experience and will be a tough challenge on the road. Alabama 38, Auburn 20.
Sherman Williams
Former Alabama running back
The Iron Bowl will always be one of the most storied rivalry games in college sports. This season I wouldn’t expect anything different. Alabama is the clear-cut favorite, but Auburn has and will come ready to play. The newly rejuvenated Alabama defense will face it’s biggest test of the season against Auburn. Alabama 45, Auburn 27.
Ben Leard
Former Auburn quarterback
With 2020 being such a challenging year and presenting so many variables, the undeniable constant is that the Iron Bowl is the greatest rivalry in college football. Regardless of records and rankings, it’s a clash of Titans every year. The passion carries beyond the field and far beyond game day. The 2020 Iron won’t be any different than others. Phenomenal talent from both sidelines will take the field and play their best game of the year. Heisman contenders, 1st rounders, and future NFL stars will be high in numbers. But the level of talent will fall inferior to the passion that these young men bring to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. Alabama’s loss of (Jaylen) Waddle is tremendous but only knocks them down to slightly above perfection. Auburn’s defense is the only SEC defense not to give up 30+ points in a game. Unfortunately, Alabama is going to break that trend and go for more than 30. However, Tigers win in shocking fashion in Tuscaloosa. Auburn 34, Alabama 32.
Bob Baumhower
Former Alabama defensive lineman
Alabama’s offense will be ready and Alabama’s defense has improved every week. I think Coach Saban’s absence will motivate Bama’s players to play that much harder for him. He has them prepared in ANY case. Alabama 42, Auburn 21.
Cole Cubelic
Former Auburn center
It’s easy to look at the mismatches. … Alabama can get that run game going. That will be the big difference. This game brings out extra emotion at times. I’m not a guy that says thrown the records out. Usually the team that is supposed to win wins this game. … It will take a monumental performance for Auburn to get a real opportunity to get a win in this one. … You ain’t beating Alabama with field goals.
Eli Gold
Voice of the Crimson Tide
I predict Alabama’s going to win. I’m not very good at picking numbers, but I genuinely believe – even though Auburn’s good and getting better – Alabama’s very good right now and playing its best. … The number I don’t know, but if Alabama continues to play as they have been, I genuinely feel they win the ball game.
Andy Burcham
Voice of the Auburn Tigers
For Auburn to have a chance – and we all know Alabama is the heavy favorite – to pull off the upset, it has to play a very good game. It’s best game by far this season. It cannot turn the ball over against Alabama. It has to – with or without Tank Bigsby and with or without those tackles – establish a run game. That’s when Auburn’s been most effective this season.
Gene Stallings
Former Alabama coach
I think Alabama’s the best football team. … One thing I know about playing Alabama, if you don’t put pressure on that quarterback, you can forget about it. Their quarterback is playing extremely well. You have great wide receivers. You have plenty of time to throw the football. If Auburn is going to have any opportunity to win the football game, they’re going to have to make the quarterback thrown before he’s ready. I’d say 12- to 14-point win (for Alabama). Anything can happen in a game. I understand that, but when you play 60 minutes, usually the best football team win. I think Auburn’s done a good job this year, but Alabama is just, in my opinion, the best football team.
Tommy Tuberville
Former Auburn coach
They’ve done their work. People give coaches a lot of credit for doing things at halftime. The preparation is done. The players, especially this game – and I’ve told people this for 20 years – win or lose this game. It isn’t the coaches. I don’t think there’s a lot that can be done. … Auburn will be sky high. Alabama will be sky high. When you do that, both teams will make some mistakes, but you’re going to get the most out of both teams. I can’t imagine it being that lopsided. Auburn, obviously, hasn’t been playing as well. The unknown at running back is probably going to hurt them to some degree. Everybody knows (Alabama’s) Najee Harris is a stud. (Auburn quarterback Bo) Nix is going to have to play his best game. Seth Williams is going to have a good game. It’s not a game that comes down to tricks. That doesn’t help Auburn because they like to call trick plays.
Ivan Maisel
ESPN senior writer
Kevin Steele is a terrific defensive coordinator. He knows how Steve Sarkisian thinks and schemes. He’s coached against him. He’s going to have to come up with something that befuddles Mac Jones. The beauty of Alabama’s offense is it has everything you want in an offense. It has a good, smart quarterback with a good arm and receivers that can stretch the field. They have a veteran offensive line, and one of the best running backs in the country. It’s tough to find a flaw. Alabama 45, Auburn 13.
Jim Nagy
Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director
You got to figure you a way to score points with Alabama. Nobody’s shown a way to slow them down yet. Basically, chalk up 40+ points for Alabama. You have to figure out how Auburn’s going to match that. To me, it’s going to have to be similar to last year where you get a defensive score, a special teams score. They’re going to need big plays from (Seth) Williams and (Anthony) Schwartz. To me, that’s what the game comes down to. In a rivalry game, I think you throw the lines out. I’ve been a part of too many of them. I’ve been on both sides. There’s something about those games.
Taylor Zarzour
ESPN commentator
I think the Tigers will move the ball on Bama, utilizing Bigsby and Pegues in the first half. But nobody can hang with this Tide offense for four quarters. Mac early and Najee late. Alabama 40, Auburn 21.
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
