Auburn will have to be on their mettle against so far unbeaten Alabama
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGESAuburn can hang tough against Tide in Iron Bowl
Week 13 – Friday's College Football TV Verdicts
TEXAS A&M v TEXAS (ESPN America, 1am GMT)
Among the 14 NCAA College Football games scheduled to take place on Friday there are a couple of corkers, including the Texas Longhorns’ trip to Kyle Field to face the Aggies.
Third-ranked Texas will take another step forward to the BCS title game if the beat their Big 12 rival. The unbeaten Longhorns clinched the division last week as Colt McCoy became the winning-most quarterback in college football history with a 51-20 win over Kansas.
They have already clinched a spot in the conference title game and will face Nebraska at Cowboys Stadium on December 5. Win there and they will face the winner of the SEC title games between Alabama or Florida for the BSC title.
Despite the 11th-worst pass defence in the nation, allowing anaverage of 259 yards per game, the Aggies have clinched a bowl spot after compiling a 6-5 record.
While that may be good news for McCoy and receivers Jordan Shipley, Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll, the Aggies are no sloucheson the other side of the ball.
Their attack has posted 459.3 yards per game on average, seventh in the nation. At home the Aggies are averaging 39.8 points per game, and holding opposing teams to 17.3 points.
However, on the road the Longhorns are averaging 42.5ppg and holding teams to 11.2 points on average.
They also have the psychological edge of last year’s 49-9 victory over the Aggies.
In truth, it is not a game to get too enthralled about. Both have their destiny fixed. The Aggies won’t upset the Longhorns, and they may produce enough firepower to stay close for a while.
But despite the possibility of the Longhornsresting a few players, staying within a three-touchdown handicap may still be just beyond them.
Recommendation
Texas -20.5, 1pt 5-6 Stan James
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AUBURN v ALABAMA (ESPN America, 7:30PM)
Auburn have won six of the last seven meetings with Alabama, who finally laid that run to rest with an emphatic 36-0 victory in Tuscaloosa last season.
There is plenty at stake in the ‘Iron Bowl’ for the Crimson Tide, who are looking for their second straight undefeated season before they face Florida for the SEC title on December 5 and a bowl game beyond that.
Auburn have lost just one of their last seven home games and have gone 5-6 against the handicap, which is set at 10.5 points in favour of the Tide.
It doesn’t look a great matchup for the Tigers, who rank 10th in the SEC in rushing defence, allowing 169.7 yards per game and a league-worst 23 rushing touchdowns. They have allowed 15 scores in 16 red-zone chances in their last five games and a league-high 27 red-zone touchdowns in all, five more than next-worst Vanderbilt (22) and Mississippi State (22).
And if the SEC’s top running back Mark Ingram won’t hurt them, then sidekick Trent Richardson might.
Even if they can hold up inside their own 20-yeard line, the Tigers will be worried by Tide quarterback Greg McElroy, who has thrown four of his last five touchdown passes for 20 yards or more.
Auburn may give the Tide defence a few headaches with its version of the wildcat, spearheaded by mobile quarterback Kodi Burns, but Nick Saban will have drummed it into his players to be disciplined enough to deal with it.
It looks a fascinating game on paper, one that Alabama should have no trouble in winning. But their record against the Tigers is not great and having a few points on your side in a fierce rivalry is never a bad thing.
Recommendation
Auburn +12.5, 1pt 6-7 Coral
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Friday's bets of the rest
WEST VIRGINIA v PITTSBURGH (midnight)
West Virginia have not had a statement victory this season, but they hope to get one in the Backyard Brawl against a Pitt team who knocked the Mountaineers out of 2007 national championship contention with a 9-7 victory on their last visit to Morgantown.
Pitt face Cincinnati for the Big East title on December 5 and Dave Wannstedt’s one-loss, power-running team will not go quietly.
Recommendation
Pittsburgh, 2pts 10-11 Betfred
LOUISVILLE v RUTGERS (4pm)
The form line is solid enough: Rutgers hammered South Florida 31-0 two weeks ago, while Louisville lost to the same opponent 34-22 last week.
But Rutgers, on course for a 10-win season for only the third time in their 140-year history, blew it with a shocking 31-13 defeat by Syracuse last weekend.
Take the Scarlet Knights to bounce back.
Recommendation
Rutgers -3, 1pt 10-11 Bet365
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