Alabama opens as heavy Iron Bowl betting line favorite over Auburn

Despite suffering an upset loss Saturday at Oklahoma, Alabama football was heavily favored over Auburn when Circa Sports released the opening line for the game on Sunday. The Crimson Tide was an 11-point favorite for the Iron Bowl.

The over/under for Saturday’s game was placed at 52.5 to open.

The Tide was also a multi-score favorite for last year’s matchup between the two teams, played in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn covered and nearly won the game, with Nick Saban’s final UA team saved by a fourth-and-23 miracle catch.

Alabama was playing for a spot in the SEC championship game, and controlled its College Football Playoff future entering Saturday’s game against Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide then turned in perhaps its worst showing of the season, falling 24-3 to the Sooners.

In theory, the Crimson Tide can still make the playoff, but it would take an unlikely set of circumstances. It will be playing the Iron Bowl for a less obvious reward than Hugh Freeze’s Tigers.

Auburn enters the game with five wins, and can earn bowl eligibility if it beats the Crimson Tide. AU is coming in with momentum, fresh off an upset in its home stadium.

The Tigers got out to a 21-point lead over Texas A&M on Saturday, but the Aggies were able to tie the score. In the fourth overtime period, Jordan-Hare voodoo won out, and TAMU dropped a pass in the end zone that would have tied the game.

Saturday’s game will be the final regular-season contest for both teams.

Alabama and Auburn are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the Tigers have not won since the 2010 season. The Iron Bowl will be aired on ABC.