Staff Predictions for the 2015 Iron Bowl

Alabama makes its first trip back to Jordan-Hare Stadium since the "Kick Six" finish ended the Crimson Tide's chances for a third straight national championship in 2013.

At the beginning of the year, these two teams were the favorites to win the SEC. But it's only Alabama that still has a chance to make it to Atlanta next week. A win over Auburn would lock up another SEC West title for Nick Saban and send Alabama to the SEC Championship Game to play Florida next weekend.

On paper, this game doesn't look like it will be close, but rivalry games never play out as expected. Here's what our staff thinks will happen in this year's Iron Bowl:

Barry Sanderson (Host of Inside the Locker Room)

The talent gap is huge. Alabama will play solid fundamental football. Alabama 38, Auburn 13

Wimp Sanderson (Host of Inside the Locker Room)

I look for Bama to control both sides of ball. The game will be close early due to emotion but depth will take over in 2nd half. Alabama 41, Auburn 14

Gary Harris (Host of The Gary Harris Show)

It's often said that you can throw out the record book when it comes to the Iron Bowl. That sounds good, but it isn't the case very often. The best team usually wins the game. This year, that team is Alabama. There is a reason the Tide is 10-1 and Auburn is 6-5. Alabama 34, Auburn 13

Chris Stewart (Host of The Chris Stewart Show)

There's no doubt that Alabama is much better than Auburn thus far, but there's also no doubt the Tigers are playing better than they were a few weeks ago. That being said, the Tide will pull away down the stretch. Alabama 37, Auburn 20

Ryan Fowler (Host of The Game)

Alabama slams the door in a big way on the 2015 season. Derrick Henry will have a huge day against the Tiger defense that ranks 83^rd in CFB in stopping the run. Jacob Coker should have plenty of open areas to throw as well, the Tigers pass defense is just a has bad as the rush defense.

Alabama will remind Auburn that they are the little brother in this game. Alabama 42, Auburn 14

Ryan McMunn (Producer)

The return to Jordan-Hare. The last time that happened for the Iron Bowl, we witnessed the most unbelievable endings to a game in the history of college football (sorry, Michigan). Will Alabama get its revenge?

In short, yes they will. Auburn's rush defense is porous at best, and the Tide are attempting to run Derrick Henry straight to a Heisman Trophy. Auburn will have some tricks up their sleeve, but it'll be all for naught, so I'll keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Alabama 41, Auburn 6

Kevin Connell (Contributor)

Yes, you remember what happened down on the Plains two years ago.

In the last Iron Bowl held in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2013, Auburn had an improbable last-second play and you know the rest. For Alabama players especially, it was understandably devastating.

But that's all in the past now.

While several current Alabama players remain from that team, the majority are gone, leaving a collection of players who were not directly affected by the play at the time. Take it from Nick Saban, too, who said Monday that he didn't think that result would have any effect on this go-around.

Heading into this return trip, it's quite clear that Alabama is the better team, and it will show in all phases of the game. Alabama 38, Auburn 13

Ben George (Digital Managing Editor)

This game seems more likely to resemble 2012 than 2013. Alabama's offense might not be as explosive as it was that year, but this defense is as good as we've seen in the Nick Saban era. Auburn has shown signs of improvement this month, but it just doesn't have the offensive weapons to keep up with Alabama. I expect the Crimson Tide to comfortably cover the two-touchdown spread. Alabama 38, Auburn 10

Filed Under: Auburn Tigers, Staff Predictions

Categories: Alabama, Alabama Football