Alabama (8-3) is the 11.5-point favorite for the 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff in Bryant-Denny Stadium. There’s no hope for a spot in the SEC Championship, most likely staring down a trip to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl. Auburn (5-6) has one last shot at bowl eligibility. What gives?

The massive national stakes we've come to expect with the Iron Bowl are mostly gone this year. After losing to Oklahoma last week, No. 13 Alabama (8-3, 4-3 SEC) will miss the College Football Playoff unless chaos unfolds around the sport.

If Alabama can stop the run and force Auburn into must-pass situations, there are opportunities to be had. However, Alabama had one combined sack (against Tennessee) in its three losses, due in large part because it didn’t force those teams into many third-and-long situations.